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What kind of preparation did you do with the National Olympic team before you took off to Brasil?
Stefany Hernández: My preparation went very well at the World Cycling Centre with my coach Thomas Allier and training partners Yoshi and Renaud. The track at Aigle was super well. We were being helped by Massa and his Systematic BMX, it was a wonderful time, good vibes and good sushi on the lake with friends (Bart bought me an icecream once hahaha).

The track looked a bit different than at the test event. What did you like about the Olympic track and what did you think didn't work?
Stefany Hernández: The colors surprised me on the very first laps, it was pretty hard to see at 100%. Glad that the track wasn’t that hard technically. Last straight OMG! As much as 20% of vision.

Was it difficult to keep your heart rate down when you walked up the hill for your first qualifying lap?
Stefany Hernández: No, tranquilo. I felt very confident, my heart rate was down. After a mistake and crash in the second moto… then I panicked for a moment. I knew I needed a very good third lap to make it into the final.

You basically worked for a couple of years to do well during the Olympic Games. Was it all worth it?
Stefany Hernández: Every single minute.

Were you happy with your results?
Stefany Hernández: Nope. Just after I felt the medal around my neck I realized it wasn’t that bad.

How important has your coach been during the race in Rio?
Stefany Hernández: A lot, just before the third moto he said what I needed to hear to calm me down and got in a good shape.

How did it feel being part of your national Olympic team?
Stefany Hernández: Felt very proud. It's an honor to wear my Venezuelan colors.

Did you get some social media updates done while you were in Brasil?
Stefany Hernández: Yes, just after the TT day I checked my social media to post something about my 4th place and I realized it was a HUGE polemic about my time. During my lap the time did not stop on the finish line, putting me a time of 35.2** and then when I checked my social media and watched my race I realized it was almost a second less, it mean 34.3** so… We tried to change it but the organization said it was all good… that issue got me MAD but... maybe system make mistakes once in a while.

How tight was security in Rio?
Stefany Hernández: People were relaxed, always smiling and welcoming… security zone they always helped. Comparing with London people were nicer!

Who were your picks for the gold one week before the race (men/women)?
Stefany Hernández: Liam/Me

Ever since you made it back home, have things changed much after the games?
Stefany Hernández: A lot! People got crazy and super proud on social media with my medal. Venezuela don’t use to have top level athletes, imagine my medal is the 15th on Venezuelan Olympic History and the first one on Cycling. So, people started to recognize me… I guess it is the hair hahaha.

Did you do any special appearances back home as an Olympian?
Stefany Hernández: Lots of media, I organized a press conference. We were expecting a couple of  people and got more than 200, the auditorium got full. The President received us, talked on national TV, etc. I was pretty nice. I feel I got the opportunity to give my message, to show the people that limits are only impose by us. Everything is possible just on the way u believe and work for it.  

Are you going to put all the effort into it again to do it all over in Tokyo 2020?
Stefany Hernández: I wish and want very much the olympic tittle. So… #Consistency469 to Tokio I’ll enjoy the path, my ride and everything is coming. Hopefully I arrive in good shape and have the opportunity again to race the Olympic Final.

Last words: Thanks to all #Team469. Thomas, Alex, Jimmy, Mario, Gustavo, Cayu, Icrea… my sponsor 100%, chase, box, Tioga, Onyx, compressport… The World Cycling Centre, Olympic Solidarity and all people from Venezuela for being such supporting.