Emma Finucane Gears Up for Olympic Glory in Paris

Carmarthen’s own Emma Finucane is on the brink of making her Olympic debut in Paris. As excitement builds, local heroes like Olympic champions Ed Clancy and Dani Rowe are rallying behind her, visiting Towy Riders to inspire the next generation of cyclists.

The cycling venue in Carmarthen has undergone an impressive transformation, thanks to £296,000 in funding from the National Lottery. Rowe expressed her anticipation for Finucane’s performance, noting that she believes winning three gold medals is a real possibility.

“She has proven she is such a huge talent; we saw that in the World Championships when she won sprint gold,” Rowe said. The young star is set to compete in three events this week, including the team sprint, where she has already shown strong capabilities.

With nine Welsh cyclists joining the Team GB squad, the spotlight is firmly on these athletes. Clancy, a three-time Olympic gold medalist himself, has high hopes for Finucane, believing she possesses both the physical and mental strength to excel.

“She can follow Laura Kenny and Victoria Pendleton as the next big shining light,” he said. Meanwhile, Robyn Davies, Finucane’s first coach, has fond memories of nurturing her talent at Towy Riders and is thrilled to see her rise to fame.

Finucane herself is the reigning world and European sprint champion, and she’s aiming to become the first British female cyclist to win individual sprint gold since 2008. It’s been a journey filled with ups and downs, including moments of intense pressure before big races.

Reflecting on her experiences over the past year, Finucane admitted to feeling overwhelmed at times. “Racing in the rainbows has been really hard for me,” she shared. However, with guidance from her psychologist and coach, she has learned to cope with expectations.

As she prepares for the Olympics, Finucane expresses gratitude for her journey and hopes to inspire the younger generation. “I didn’t think that would happen to me,” she said, highlighting the importance of staying true to herself and enjoying the journey.