Olympic Games 2024: Emma Finucane ready for 'dream' Olympic debut
They went on to do special things at the Olympics - and, as the track cycling programme begins in Paris, hopes are high for Finucane.
“I remember her first race,” recalls her father, Rory. “You could see then that she enjoyed it so much, it made her competitive. She put a lot of effort in and she was really keen.” Team Wales - with Finucane, Lowri Thomas and Rhian Edmunds - finished ahead of England and beat Australia on their way to a brilliant bronze in the women’s team sprint.
She ended up reaching the semi-finals, where she narrowly lost out to Canada’s Olympic champion, Kelsey Mitchell. “Looking back at the 10-year-old me always has a special place in my heart,” she says. “Even when I’m competing today, 10-year-old Emma’s proud no matter what. There is not just talent in this 21-year-old - there is resilience too. She admits she struggled after winning that world title last year.“This year’s been one of the toughest years of my life,” she says. “People might not believe that because of the success I’ve had. But mentally it’s been so challenging.“After winning the rainbows, yes it was one of the best days of my life - but no one really tells you what happens after that.
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