The Points Race world champion in indoor track cycling, Adélia Neethling, is a former Potchefstroomer who will be looking to make South Africa proud at the Commonwealth Games in Australia this year.
Neethling, who currently resides in Australia, was speechless when she received the news that she would represent her country at such a prestigious event and years of hard work has finally paid off for this motivated cyclist.
Potchefstroom Herald asked Neethling a few questions regarding her hopes and dreams for the upcoming games:
1) How did you feel when you were included? Was it something you had expected and worked towards for the past few years? Speechless and grateful for the opportunity. My team members and I worked hard towards qualification last year and succeeded to qualify. But SASCOC only selected a small number of athletes across all sports to represent the nation so the selection was really special, given our chances.
2) Which specific events will you be competing in, in the Commonwealth Games? At this stage, our participation in the Track Cycling Women’s 4 km Team Pursuit is confirmed. I am hoping to also compete in the 100 Laps, Points race and the Scratch race.
3) What goals have you set for the Commonwealth Games? My goals for the games are to produce the best possible result that I’m capable of. I will be competing against career athletes, most of whom are about 10 to 20 years younger than me and have the same number of years of racing under the belt. Most of them are part of national sponsored athlete programmes and have access to the best and newest technologies. I’ve been cycling for four years and work fulltime. I just moved from Masters to Elite level in November last year. All of these factors make it challenging to get to the same standard as my competition in such a short period of time.
4) You are also the current WM 40 – 44 Points Race world champion. How was that experience? Becoming a World Champion is a very special moment. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to earn those rainbow stripes and every competitor wants them and that is what makes winning special – the fight to be victorious.
5) Has it given you even more motivation to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games? It would be a miracle if I could win a medal at the games and I believe that nothing is impossible if you want it hard enough and have a real drive and hunger to be the best you can be. Everyone deserves to win.
6) Is that World Championship victory your biggest achievement? I have been blessed enough to have some big achievements so far. These include breaking a world record, setting a new world record and becoming a world champion. Each one of them was equal in achievement for me but it is very special getting on a podium with rainbow stripes and a gold medal while your national flag is raised and the anthem is playing.
7) What would be the biggest challenges? My biggest challenge is the preparation, given that I have no sponsors or financial support. I have to work fulltime to support myself and my family financially. It is really demanding to train at the required level in my situation.
8) Are there any specific people you would like to thank for playing a role in your achievements? My club X – Speed Australia and coaches, Amanda O’Connor and Damian Mason for their support and my lovely family, especially my mom. The biggest of all is that I’m blessed by my Heavenly Father to be able to do this. I pray that I can inspire other ordinary people to never stop dreaming and reach beyond the stars for the moon.
Nothing is impossible in life, even at the age of 40.’