Ciara Oliva, champion cyclist and Team GB Olympian

I gave absolutely everything to make the Olympic line-up. At the Rio games, I ended up being the reserve for the women’s team pursuit, who won gold. I was heartbroken not to ride, but the best team raced, and I was very proud to have been a part of the squad. Nowadays, we live in Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan. I’ve been teaching Pilates for eight years and working as a physiotherapist: I went to the Paralympic Games as a physiotherapist to the British Wheelchair Fencing team, which was a dream come true for me. Now I want to give my cycling dream one last shot.

I was very happily retired. Lewis and I retired at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. I remember both of us looking back at the stadium, smiling to each other and feeling we’d done everything we could to be the best possible athletes. I felt I was done, and was very proud of my career. But then I watched a documentary about Helen Glover, the Team GB rower who made a comeback as a mum of three. I thought, could I give it one last shot at the Olympics? Half of me tried to ignore how I felt after I watched this, but I knew something had been sparked that I couldn’t ignore. Lew said, I’ll support you 100% if you go for it – let’s do it one last time!

I’ve been part of the Welsh cycling set-up since 2012. My favourite memories as a cyclist are from competing at the Commonwealth Games for Wales. Everyone supports each other: it’s the best atmosphere and environment to train in and be a part of. We all want the best for everyone in the squad. I’m very lucky that they’ve been so welcoming since I came back into the system.

Our three children are now aged four, three and 10 months. I got back on the bike when my youngest was only two weeks old: in theory, I should still be on maternity leave, but I’m not looking to go back to work as a physio just yet. I want to give this absolutely everything. I won the World Masters individual pursuit title this year, setting a new world record in my age category, and won the British team pursuit championships on my first outing back with Team Wales. I know where I need to get to, even if I’m not there yet.

I no longer have the luxury of five hours’ uninterrupted training – and although sleep is vital to recovering between sessions, all that goes out of the window when you have little ones. When I did the British team pursuit championships recently, I was up at 4am, doing a full day of racing, getting home at 10.30pm and then doing the night shift with the kids. My husband was away in France, as he’s the U20 team doctor for the Welsh Rugby Union. But it’s all part of my story now: I’m a mum, first and foremost.

I grew up mostly in Warwickshire, but my dad was born in Barry and grew up in Penarth – in fact, his father had a restaurant here. We’d always holiday in Ireland, where my mum comes from, or in Wales. There are so many scenic cycle routes here. My husband is from Devauden in Monmouthshire, and I love riding up there, around Abergavenny, Usk and Monmouth. If I can get out and about on a sunny day, there’s no better place to ride.

There’s such a lovely community feel here. We’re within walking distance of my daughter’s school, and the kids are spoilt with the luxury of so many parks and green spaces. We love visiting the charity shops or going to the pier for fish and chips on the beach – and ice cream for the kids, no matter what the weather is like! We’re typical cyclists in that our life revolves around coffee shops: we’re always going to Life of Reilly Coffee Co, next to Penarth station. Within 10 minutes, we can get the kids to their swimming lessons, rugby, football, gymnastics or athletics sessions. We wouldn’t want them to grow up anywhere else in the world.

I couldn’t do this without Lu – he’s my biggest supporter. He has put some of his own goals on hold to help me try and achieve my dreams. He raced three Commonwealth Games and medalled in his final one, so there is a bit of banter between us that I need to make a third games! And without the support of my parents, I’m not sure how achievable this dream would be.

Our eldest daughter, Florence, fully understands what I’m doing. When she saw me on the podium at the World Masters Championships, listening to the national anthem, she didn’t take her eyes off Mummy. It was a very special moment. What keeps me going on the days when I’m tired is picturing my husband, my three children and the rest of my family in the stands, holding Welsh flags, and cheering me on.