My Olympic Experience: Priscilla Andréia Stevaux Carnaval (Brasil)

Nov 30, 2016

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 8784 times

Name: Priscilla Andréia Stevaux Carnaval
Number in Rio: #93
Country: Brazil
Result: 16th

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

When was the point for you that you thought you had a good chance of going to the 2016 Olympics in Rio?
Priscilla: Since I've almost made through the semi final at the World's in 2012 which If I've done it and was the best Brazilian rider in that race, I could have qualify my country to the Olympic Games.

Can you explain what kind of sacrifices you have to make as a professional BMX racer to be on top of your game all the time?
Priscilla: Besides of hours of daily training and diet what is hard but it isn't really sacrifice when you love what you do. I've stopped my architecture university course, stayed months far away from home, relationships were something really hard to be in, missed many friends and parents' b-day parties just to get focused on my dream, to represent my country at the Olympic Games.

How important has your coach been on your road to Rio?
Priscilla: I have my brother Douglas Stevaux who is a rider too as my coach. He always gives me confidence to get trough any difficulty inside and outside the track. As he lives with me he knows me better than anyone else. He knows the limits and how to cross them. We worked everyday together to be at the Olympic Games which was an achievement for both of us!

How did it feel being part of your national Olympic team?
Priscilla: That was a dream come true. I used to watch them on the TV screen what seemed unreachable and now I'm one of them that seemed surreal, like day-dream. I couldn't believe I got that done.

Did you get some social media updates done while you were in Brasil?
Priscilla: I've done a few interviews to TV and newspapers but also kept my fanpage updated as much as possible for all my friends, fans and family with videos and photos of the road to Rio2016.

After disastrous test events on the Olympic track, what were your thoughts when you saw the colourful track when you arrived at the Games?
Priscilla: I've seen the game from Olympic Games that was colorfull and when I saw some pics a few weeks before the Olympic games, I couldn't believe it was really painted then I just tought "I hope it rides just as good as it's looking."

How much practice did you get on the track before racing started and was it enough?
Priscilla: Two days of Official Training, yes that was more time than Supercross Series but could be better if I could have my coach with me at track on trainings, I would probably change many things about my riding.

How tight was security in Rio?
Priscilla: The country just wanted make sure everything would work as planned as good as possible so they've done a really good security on the village inside the events and even in the city. We had one priority line on the roads too just for Olympic Games.

Did it feel special being in one place with so many top athletes at the same time?
Priscilla: So much! That was way inspirational I never thought I'd be this close to the greatest atheletes in the world also that I'd become one of them someday!

Were you happy with your results?
Priscilla: Happy to be there but not satisfied with my result. I'm working everyday to make a better impression in Tokyo2020.

Do you have a moment during the race where you wish you had made a different choice?
Priscilla: Yes, I've done some bad corners I'd definitelly change if I could go back.

Who were your picks for the gold one week before the race?
Priscilla: Sam Willoughby for men, Mariana for Women.

Ever since you made it back home, have things changed much after the games?
Priscilla: Besides pass the experience to kids doing talks at schools doing my part, I thought It would change for more support on sport, more sponsorships but sadly that didn't happen.

Did you do any special appearances as an Olympian?
Priscilla: Not yet, I had some tough moments, my dad passed away so I needed some time, but I thought about an olympics ring tattoo.

Are you going to put all the effort into it again to do it all over in Tokyo 2020?
Priscilla: Yes definitely looking forward to work really hard to do a better result on next Olympic Games in Tokyo.