Olly Freeman

2008 is a huge year for Olly. Above and beyond everything else, Olly is hoping to compete for his country in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. If selected it would be a great achievement and a chance for Olly to, once again, represent his country. His Olympic qualifier is in Madrid on 25th May and we wish him all the best in his preparation for the race.

Before this important race, Olly is talking part in several other high-profile triathlons around the world. On the 30th March he will be competing against other world famous triathletes in the Maloolaba World Cup, Australia, before he heads over to New Zealand for the New Plymouth World Cup on the 6th April.

Olly then has a few weeks until he takes part in the European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal on 10th May; however there is a small chance that he will compete in Japan and Spain in between these events – a busy boy indeed!

Depending on the outcome of his Olympic qualifiers, Olly may or may not be participating at the 2008 Mazda London Triathlon, but needless to say, we wish him all the best in his endeavours over the next few months!

For a full list of Olly’s upcoming races, please see below:

30/03 Maloolaba World Cup (Australia)
06/04 New Plymouth World Cup (New Zealand)
10/05 European Championships (Lisbon, Portugal)
25/05 Madrid World Cup – OLYMPIC QUALIFIER (Spain)
08/06 World Championships (Vancouver, Canada)
– NOT IF OLLY QUALIFIES FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM –

Olly Freeman reveals all

Find out how Olly's preparation for Beijing is going!

What does the opportunity to represent your country mean to you?
It's always an exciting and proud occasion, though normally it's also nerve racking, as you only race for GB at the highest profile races....European Champs, World Champs...and Olympics!!

How are you preparing for the Olympics?
At the moment I am training hard in Eastbourne, but my season will start in late March in Australia and New Zealand, where I can hopefully get some good results that will set me up for the final Olympic selection in May.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
Too many to remember...and most of them from my coach Glenn Cook!

Who’s your hero?
I don't really have a hero, though I do draw inspiration from some athletes such as Paula Radcliffe, Lance Armstrong and Kenenisa Bekele.

What's your next goal?
My next goal is to get my season off to a solid start in March, to give myself a good platform from which to launch my Olympic selection efforts!

What are your favorite Herbalife products?
I love the protein bars, as they are great to take on long bike sessions to keep me fuelled throughout. I also always have some Protein powder with my porridge, as it provides the extra protein I need to help repair my muscles after a hard morning of training.

To find out more about how Herbalife products can help you, visit www.herbalife.com

OLLY FREEMAN season UPDATE

2008 SEASON
1st - Sussex Country Cross-Country Champs (05/01)

2007 SEASON
5th - Lisbon World Cup (06/05)
4th - Richards Bay World Cup (13/05)
4th - Corus Series Race #1 - Strathclyde (27/05)
14th - European Triathlon Championships - Copenhagen (01/07)
7th - Eilat Word Cup (01/12) ---
1st - Sussex Country Cross-Country Champs (06/01)
10th - English National Cross-Country Champs (10/03)

2006 SEASON
3rd - Estoril European Cup (23/04)
1st - Blenheim Triathlon (21/05)
18th - Madrid World Cup (04/06)
6th - Royal Windsor Triathlon (11/06)
2nd - European Under 23 Triathlon Championships (08/07)
18th - Salford World Cup (30/07)
3rd - London Triathlon (06/08)
8th - World Under 23 Triathlon Championships (03/09)
2nd - Macau Asian Cup (17/09)
25th - Beijing World Cup (24/09)

JUNIOR (U20) ACHIEVEMENTS
Double European Junior Triathlon Champion (2004, 2005)
Double World Junior Duathlon Champion (2004, 2005)
2nd at World Junior Triathlon Championships (2004)
Double National Junior Triathlon Champion (2003, 2005)
2nd at Southern Counties Cross-Country Championships (2006)

YOUTH (U17) ACHIEVEMENTS
National Youth Triathlon Champion (2001)
National Youth Cross-Country Champion (2003)
Double European Youth Relay Champion Team Member (2001 with Alex Duce & Gareth Evans, 2003 with Alex Duce & Adam Hickey)

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
National Triathlon Champion at all Tri-Star age-groups (1994-2000)
England Schools' Cross-Country Team as a Junior & Intermediate (2000, 2002)

Olly's Tri Tips

SWIM

The exit ramp can be very slippery. It is best to stand up as soon as it is shallow enough for your hand to brush the ramp/beach. Finally, as soon as you have your balance and are up and running, reach straight for your wetsuit zip and follow the steps:

1. Undo the zip.

2. Undo the neck Velcro.

3. Take your arms out.

4. Pull the upper half of the wetsuit down to your waist.

5. Take off your goggles and hat and hold them in your hand.

6. Put your goggles and hat down by your transition area when you reach it.

7. Take the legs off (roll the waist down until it's below your knees, then stand on it with one leg and pull out the other, and then vice versa)

BIKE

NEVER draft (unless it is a 'Draft-legal' race).
Drafting is where you ride in the slipstream of another cyclist, by placing yourself within 10 metres of the back wheel of the other athlete.

RUN

Once you reach the run there isn't much more to think about.
Make sure you count your laps, and just give it your all!