Jess Varnish and Katy Marchant relaxed over Olympic qualification
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 29/02/16 12:20pm
Jess Varnish and Katy Marchant insist they are not stressed about the prospect of Great Britain failing to qualify for the women's team sprint at the Olympic Games.
A maximum of five European nations can take part in the event in Rio and Britain currently sit sixth in the rankings, 23 points behind fifth-placed France's total of 847.
Next week's UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London are the final qualifier for Rio and Britain must finish a minimum of two places higher than France - while also staying in the top nine overall globally - if they are to snatch Europe's last berth.
Varnish and Marchant admit they are not aware of exactly what outcome Britain need to ensure qualification and will instead focus solely on performing to the best of their abilities.
Varnish said: "It's going to be hard and we are in an awkward situation but there is nothing we can do about it. We just need to step up.
"We don't know exactly what we've got to do [to qualify]. For me, there is no reason why I need to know who we've got to beat and what we've got to do. We are completely focused on our execution of the race - that's the only thing we can worry about.
"We could easily find out numbers and how many points we have got to be ahead of certain teams, but that's just going to be another emotion to add to things. If we go out there and execute our race perfectly, that's all we can do."
Marchant added: "We have just had the mindset that if we train every day as hard as we can and we go out there and give the best performance that we can, then hopefully that will be enough.
"We have had a lot of pressure over the season to get the rides out, so I just think we don't need added pressure [of worrying about qualification]."
Varnish has tasted Olympic disappointment before, having been disqualified from the team sprint alongside Victoria Pendleton in the semi-finals at London 2012.
The 25-year-old admits she initially struggled to come to terms with the manner of their exit but has since put it into perspective and will adopt a similar mindset should Britain fail to qualify for Rio.
She added: "The Olympics don't define your career. Out of anyone in this squad, I am probably one of the people who can say that. I have been at an Olympic Games in the form of my life and have been disqualified. You don't die. If you don't do it, nothing happens."
Varnish and Marchant will be joined in Britain's women's sprint squad for the World Championships by Becky James, who is still working her way back to top form after a long-term knee injury and a cancer scare.
James said: "I'm just really excited to be back in the team. I would never have thought this was possible this time last year, when I was watching the World Championships sat on the sofa, not enjoying myself at all.
"There was definitely a time when I thought that my career could be over. I'm like a different Becky to what I was before and it's a case of working my way back up."
The World Championships take place at the Lee Valley VeloPark from Wednesday, March 2, to Sunday, March 6. The women's team sprint takes place on the opening day.
