The women’s 500m sprint canoeing final at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games will be over inside two minutes. In fact, even within that two minutes, the difference between medals and honourable mentions will be a matter of milliseconds.
The margins, then, are incredibly minute when it comes to the sharp end of paddling, as it is in so many other sprint disciplines. Bridgitte Hartley, South Africa’s bronze medallist from the same event in London four years ago, knows all about these critical moments that make all the difference.
She was two precious seconds away from gold in London, but also two-tenths of a second from being in fourth instead of beaming proudly on the podium. Gold-medallist Danuta Kozak (Hungary) and Ukraine’s Inna Osypenko, the silver medallist that day, will both be in Rio, and Hartley expects another almighty tussle.
“It’s definitely a weight of expectation, but it is also very motivating. It would be a dream to get another medal, and I know what I need to do. The 2016 Olympic dream is a bit easier to imagine now because the World Cup has come, and that initial stress is gone,” she explained.
Two weeks ago, to speak to Hartley was to look into a deep well of concern, after a tough baptism of fire in Duisburg, Germany, at the ICF Canoe Spring World Cup season. She didn’t make the cut for the main race, instead settling for a C-Final. In the Czech Republic, she improved markedly, with a confidence-boosting sixth-place finish in the A-final.
“I had forgotten a bit of my technique, and that realisation was a bit of a shock to me in Duisburg,” she admitted this week.
“It wasn’t a fitness thing, just that I needed to work a bit more on my technique,” she reiterated.
Hartley’s fitness and endurance has never, ever been in question. She prides herself on being in peak physical condition, twitching at the thought of the biggest week of her career in a matter of weeks now. But she knows only too well that the fluency of stroke will make up the milliseconds she needs to repeat her triumphant feat.
“I got some good advice when I was in Germany, and I took it on board. Things went a lot better in the Czech Republic, and I feel a lot better about where I am. I know that there is still a lot of work to be done before Rio,” she admitted.
It must be noted, of course, that most of Hartley’s rivals in the recent World Cup legs were coming off national trials, where they had to be at their very best. She, meanwhile, confirmed her boat in Rio a long time ago, and is still building up to her very best.
“I had to remind myself that they were several seconds quicker than me, but I definitely haven’t peaked yet. I don’t think the gap is so huge, but having seen how far I am now, I would say the heat is on.”
Hartley also has a lot of logistics to sort out over the next two months. The biggest of these is to get her boat to Brazil, via Europe. Ideally, she would also like to get to South America early, and get settled.
“That is why I came back home now. I need to do some planning, and I also want to see if I can organise an extra source of support to come with me to the Olympics. I have realised how lonely it gets in camp, and having a familiar face close is massive.”
That face is unlikely to be bushy-haired boyfriend Andy Birkett, who is in the throes of preparation for the World Canoe Marathon championships in September. While he may not be there, Hartley says having someone who understands what she goes through has been a huge benefit.
“Andy is great, and he got quite a few phone calls over the past few weeks. Before him, I would talk to my family or the sports psychologist, but it makes such a difference having someone who can relate, and understands the ups and downs of our sport.”
Like many athletes, Hartley says that the Olympics are a bit of a blur while in competition, and one can sometimes forget to take a moment and fully appreciate what they are a part of.
“I think that was the case in London a bit, but that was because I have been there so many times, and had so many friends around. It felt like home. Brazil, though, will be a completely new experience.
“I have never been there, but the pictures look amazing. I think there is that wow factor about going to a new place like this, and I just can’t wait to get there.”
She doesn’t have too much longer now. Two months away from the biggest, most demanding, but potentially most rewarding two minutes of a career that has taken her all over the world.
Over the next few weeks, Hartley will be meticulous as she works on perfecting her stroke, and putting almost all the pieces of her puzzle together.
The final, most precious piece, she trusts, will be dangling from her neck on a podium at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, come August. – Sunday Tribune