Paris Olympics: how Hong Kong cyclist Ceci Lee took on fear of failure – ‘a boomerang coming back in her face’
- Lee is competing in the elimination race and omnium at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Canada, a month after struggling with expectations in Hong Kong
- Head coach Herve Dagorne ready for first competition in charge after permanent appointment confirmed
Star Hong Kong cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing is consulting a sports psychologist in a bid to banish the inner demons that have plagued her in elite competition.
The 22-year-old is in Canada for the UCI Track Nations Cup, which begins on Friday and provides the final opportunity to claim crucial Olympic qualifying points. Lee is targeting Paris in her strongest omnium event but is 18th in the standings, with 22 riders making the cut.
Head coach Herve Dagorne, who was appointed on a two-year contract in March, following three months in interim charge, has left Lee out of Saturday’s Madison to focus on her omnium tilt.
After finishing 12th in the four-race event at last month’s Hong Kong Nations Cup leg, Lee said she was suffocated by the pressure of competing in front of an expectant home support.
Dagorne could be heard telling his rider she was “sleeping” during a passive ride in the closing points race, which she had started in 10th position.
“Sleeping is probably not the expression, because she was really awake,” Dagorne said. “But she was petrified, worrying about doing something wrong, and thinking that [failing] would be like a boomerang coming back in her face.
