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Name: Nadja Pries
Number in Rio: 53
Country: Germany
Result: Semi Final

Name: Yoshitaku Nagasako
Number in Rio: 993
Country: Japan
Result: 1/4 finals, 12th in TT

"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."

Name: Merle van Benthem
Number in Rio: 75
Country: The Netherlands
Result: Semi final

How big was your struggle even making it to the Olympics?
Merle: To be honest it was a pretty rough road to Rio. Had to deal with a fractured back, a torn ACL and a pretty bad concussion but once I made it, it was all worth it.

What were your personal goals two weeks before the Olympic race?
Merle: My goals were to medal.

How much different did the track look when you saw it for the first time?
Merle: The track looked a lot different during the Olympics than the first time we saw the track at the test event. Not just the green asphalt turns but the track looked way smoother and faster than during the test event.

How big was your team arond you in Rio? (mechanic, coach, nutrition, physio, family/friends, etc...)
Merle: My parents and brother came out to Rio to support. My best friend who is a Dutch track cyclist and other couple Dutch athletes were in the stands to support. And of course the Dutch staff.

Name: CARLOS OQUENDO       
Number in Rio: 566
Country: COLOMBIA
Result: 10

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Carlos Oquendo: The tough moment was to keep the country spot.

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."

Name: Twan van Gendt
Number in Rio: 148
Country: The Netherlands
Result: 5th in semi

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Twan van Gendt: Well it was pretty tough. Jelle and I where the first nominated but due a lot of injuries I almost missed out on the Olympics. Making the main at the World Championships saved and secured my spot for the Olympics

Name: Stefany Hernández
Number in Rio: 469
Country: Venezuela
Result: Bronze Medal

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
Stefany Hernández: The toughest competition was against myself. I was giving my best to get a spot for my country. I'm the only female rider.

Name: David Graf
Number in Rio: 48
Country: Switzerland
Result: 14 I think

How tough was the competition in your country to get a spot on the Olympic team for Rio?
David Graf: It was probably the hardest one of all the countries this year. Between Renaud Blanc and myself. The fact we had to choose between World Cup ranked 4 and 5 after Papendal speaks a lot I guess.

What kind of preparation did you do with the National Olympic team before you took off to Brasil?
David Graf: I stayed at home, followed my normal routine and tried to avoid the hype.

The track looked a bit different than at the test event(s). What did you like about the Olympic track and what did you think didn't work?
David Graf: I liked everything but the first turn. It was probably the most fun track I've ridden in my career.

Name: Gabriela Diaz
Number in Rio: 446
Country: Argentina
Result: 10th place

"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."

Name: Trent Jones
Number in Rio: 279
Country: New Zealand   
Result: 13th

What kind of preparation did you do with the National Olympic team before you took off to Brasil?
Trent Jones: Not a lot, seeing I employ a private coach, Sean Dwight. In which we had a plan to train in Chula Vista prior to the games. In which Connor Fields came back on board with training under Sean so we spent 8 solid weeks together knocking out the work that needed to be done to prepare.