Lesley Paterson's Olympic Bid

Most of you know me as an XTERRA triathlete  -- a wee Scottish lassie who enjoys getting dirty, beating the boys, and dropping the occasional f-bomb. Well I have a new target in my sights and I could really do with your help!

I’m trying to qualify to compete for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

But wait… NOT in triathlon. In mountain biking! Yes, that’s right – to compete on the world’s biggest stage against the world’s fastest women in an entirely different sport. Go big or go home, I say.

Olympic qualification in mountain biking is an art and science, but my number one priority is to accumulate as many UCI points as possible through competing in World Cup races around the globe. The more points I have, the better my chances of selection.

But hey, I get it. The odds are stacked against me. I’m a triathlete, a total unknown in the mountain bike world, and I currently rank almost bottom of the pro world rankings. But this is also what makes it exciting. Can I go from zero to hero in 1 year? I’m a small cat and I see nothing by pigeons. I’m also Scottish and will not back down when up against it. I plan to fight like only I know how – with a Braveheart, clawing my way up as a blue collar athlete.

So how does this involve YOU?  

Entering the world cup scene takes moola. I’m an unknown rider so I’m entirely off the radar of the Great Britain Cycling Federation and even though I’m an accomplished XTERRA athlete with sponsors, none of these sponsorship deals help with racing on the mountain bike circuit.  

Between now and Rio, I plan to do 8 World Cup events around the globe and train like a mountain biker. Each world cup race costs me about $4,000 (flights, accom, bike transport and equipment costs, food, etc.). XTERRA pros already need a second job to pay for their racing career (I'm also a coach!), and so adding another sport can be a bank-breaker. The little savings I do have are being donated to the cause! This is why I have started a Go Fund Me account.

Whether I make it or not, you will have contributed to the journey and will be competing alongside me (without having to do any of the training! Win!). I’ll be sending you a video diary from the trenches as I document my Road to Rio.

So, wanna try and go the Olympics with me? Fuck it. Let’s give it go!

Les x