Paris 2024: “I don’t need a particular race scenario to get a good result,” says Kate Waugh
Kate Waugh's selection for the GB Olympic tri team ruffled some feathers, but she believes she's the right woman to help bring home another relay gold…
It was a mark of the ambition of then world U23 champion Kate Waugh that she made the decision to leave the relative home comforts of Leeds to train with an international squad.
Waugh had progressed from talented youngster – first taking up triathlon at age eight – to win the U23 crown through a breakaway with teammate Jess Fullager in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2022.
Along the way she’d picked up a string of podiums in junior and elite competition, but at the start of 2023 – and with a stellar cast of GB women in contention – the Paris 2024 Games looked like it might come a year or two early. By the end of season it was clear she couldn’t be ignored.
Fifth in Yokohama WTCS, seventh in the Paris Test Event and then a career-best second place in the WTCS Grand Final in Pontevedra in Spain pressed the Gateshead-born athlete’s claims, and she was eventually awarded a discretionary spot after a drawn out appeals process meant she even missed the official Team GB kitting out day in the second week of June.
Not an ideal build up for the psychology student to deal with, but looking at the broader picture, the switch to join coach Paulo Sousa’s squad, chiefly based in Monte Gordon, Portugal, and containing athletes such as Paris-bound US star Taylor Spivey, and Kate’s partner Max Stapley, who left Leeds with Kate, had paid off.
Right now, the squad’s in Font Romeu, France, and is where we find her for a quick chat in between training…
220: How challenging have you found the past few weeks?
Kate Waugh: The last few weeks were definitely pretty challenging, a different kind of stress when your dreams are in the hands of the selectors. But I was focusing on my training, and enjoying time with my training group out here in Font Romeu helped take my minds off things, temporarily at least.
At the end of the day, it was left in the hands of the selectors. I believed that I’d done enough in the last 12 months to show that I am a serious medal contender, so I’m happy with the outcome.
220: What does training look like between now and Paris?
KW: I’m training in Font Romeu for the next couple of weeks before dropping down to Banyoles for a fortnight and then heading to Paris with my training group.
220: What did you learn most from the Test Event last summer?
KW: I think it’s going to be a truly iconic course and an unforgettable race. I’m expecting the crowds to be incredible and there are lots of things to consider with the swim in the river, the cobbles on the Champs-Élysées, and some sweeping turns and technical parts as well.
220: Is there an ideal race scenario for you in Paris?
KW: I like to think I’m strong across all three [disciplines] and don’t need a particular race scenario to get a good result.
I’ve won races from breakaways on the bike and won races from a huge pack coming into transition. I’m training to cover all bases and hopefully I’ll bring my strongest self to Paris over all three disciplines.
220: Have you had any thoughts about the relay at this stage?
KW: I’m just training to put myself in the best contention for the relay. I think I’m a strong relay athlete and have had a lot of success over relays and shown strength individually across swim, bike and run.
I’m the reigning Super League champion and it’s a very similar distance and race tactics, so hopefully this can be considered when it comes to selection for the relay.
220: Finally, what are overriding emotions as you head to your first Olympics?
KW: Definitely a mixture of nerves and excitement. I’m truly honoured and so excited to compete in front of so many of my friends and family who are planning to come out to the race, but also to represent Team GB on what is the biggest stage for us in triathlon.
It’s a huge privilege and I hope to do myself justice and put out my best performance on the day, and that’s all I can ask from myself.
220’s prediction for Kate Waugh in Paris
Given the strength of field, any result within the top 10 would represent an outstanding return. But with enough self-belief even the podium could be within her grasp.
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Tim Heming
Freelance triathlon journalist 
