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Stephen Woolridge
Sport: Cycling
Events: Team Pursuit/Road
Club: St George
Date of Birth: 17/10/77
Height: 189cm
Weight: 79kg
Age: 27
Sporting bio and Achievements:
2004 Olympic Games Gold, team pursuit
2002, 2003 and 2004 World Champion, team pursuit
2002 Commonwealth Games Gold, team pursuit |
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Oscar Orange:
Hi Steve, thank you for taking time out of your hectic training schedule to talk to us today. As an athlete, can you tell me what do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Stephen Woolridge:
Hi Oscar – I’d have to say the best thing about playing sport is that it’s great for your health and great for your mind.
Oscar Orange:
That’s a great reason to play sport. It can be pretty tough though can’t it – who would you say has been your toughest opponent?
Stephen Woolridge:
The toughest opponent in my event is the team you meet in the final. You have to treat all competitors with respect but have a strong desire to succeed and win.
Oscar Orange:
That sounds like pretty good advice. As a cyclist I can imagine you’ve had some pretty cool stacks. Have you ever had any bad injuries?
Stephen Woolridge:
I had a broken wrist in 1997.
Oscar Orange:
I guess that’s not too bad – I could do that walking down the street. Have you ever had a losing streak and if so how do you overcome these bad times?
Stephen Woolridge:
Yes I have had and the best thing to do is to keep your mind on what you really want to achieve and if you stick to your game, things will turn around again.
Oscar Orange:
That sounds like excellent advice. What do you think has been your biggest achievement in sport?
Stephen Woolridge:
My Olympic Gold from Athens 2004.
Oscar Orange:
That’s huge – well done!! Being such a sports nut you must eat pretty healthily – can you tell me what are your favourite fruits?
Stephen Woolridge:
Bananas, Mangos and Strawberries.
Oscar Orange:
Bazza Banana and Summa Strawberry will be pretty happy to hear about that! So what are your favourite vegetables?
Stephen Woolridge:
Squash and Potatoes.
Oscar Orange:
Squash are pretty cool now – especially in stir-fry’s. What is your favourite food in general?
Stephen Woolridge:
Muesli.
Oscar Orange:
I imagine you train pretty hard, but what do you like to do in your spare time?
Stephen Woolridge:
I like to try to relax, cook and go walking.
Oscar Orange:
I like to go walking too! Winning Olympic Gold has to be the most amazing thing – what on earth would job would you have liked to do if you hadn’t turned out to be such a great athlete?
Stephen Woolridge:
I would probably be involved in the Manufacturing or Supply Chain industry.
Oscar Orange:
That sounds pretty interesting. I’ve done a couple of interviews and one of the really interesting things is to find out who your hero is?
Stephen Woolridge:
Bradley McGee (another rider in my team).
Oscar Orange:
Bradley McGee is definitely a great hero and an awesome cyclist. What is your favourite motto?
Stephen Woolridge:
Have a go!
Oscar Orange:
That is a great motto and really good advice. I think I must take your advice and see if I can get a bike to fit my short legs. Thanks so much Steve for answering all my questions and for being such a good sport. Best of luck in the future!! |
