Olympic Diary - part 1: New Zealand

Andrea Gabba

Nationality: Italian

Lives: Torino, Italy

Esperience: triathlon coach, two time leader of the Italian National team, and current coach of the Turkish National Triathlon team.

Diario Olimpico 1 - Nuova Zelanda

If there is to be an Olympic Diary, then it must be a true reflection of the Olympic experience. The road may take me to Rio or it may stop in the journey towards the goal, but it is the real victory of strength and perseverance that I want to share with you all.

This adventure together could only start from where I am now: ten thousand meters above the Indian Ocean, 11 hours away from New Zealand, where in a few days my guys (I am coach of Turkey and coach of Italian triathlete Andrea Secchiero) will compete in the New Plymouth World Cup.

After nearly two years of racing, we are close to the epilogue of looking for a place at the Olympics in Rio 2016. In a month and a half the games will take place (in the true sense of the word) and we will know the 55 male athletes and 55 women who will compete in Brazil. At the moment, around 40 of the strongest triathletes have been guaranteed an Olympic pass. These athletes are already well on their way to the most important milestone in their career – the Olympic Games.

My guys - Gaia and Jonas - are among those who, in the words of Dante, are still in suspense. They lack the points needed to qualify for Olympic Games; and for this reason, our focus is directed to the last races of the Olympic qualifying two-year period. Unfortunately, today we are among the first excluded; but we are struggling to reverse the situation. We want to wave the flag of Turkey on the Copacabana beach.

We planned until May 15 (the closing date of the Olympic rank) 5 races or better: 5 final races of the Champions League, 5 matches at Wimbledon, and 5 descents on the Streif Kitzbuell, in short, 5 challenges where we play everything, where put our heart in it as if there were no tomorrow.

The guys are already in the charming and faraway land of New Zealand. I stay in touch with them regularly. I want to be with them. I'm their coach and the one who trains them daily, though now I am namely the person planning strategies and choosing the races that we strive for.

These days my job is tough. In addition to being a good motivator and a good supporter, I also organize the activities, and if needed, act as an older brother- or at times a strict father. We have to complete a mission full of difficulties and personal sacrifice (but that's another story for another day), setting the goal that, for better or for worse, we have to keep pushing ourselves- no regret!

I believe in my guys as much as I believe in myself. In the next few entries of our diary I will speak at greater length on the life of an elite athlete, but to break the ice I had to introduce ourselves.

I was lucky enough to participate in two Olympics (Athens and Peking) and a half (Torino 2006 ... for a Turin like me, is an indelible memory - even if only a spectator) and I would like my guys to live as heroes as an athlete can only experience in the five Olympic rings.

One stroke at a time, one ride at a time, one step at a time, one game at a time... we will fight to win Rio!

We will talk to you all soon!!!

Andrea Gabba