Velocity 100

Chapter 10 - Paris

The days that followed Cynthia's qualification at the trials in Kingston felt like a dream in motion. She had barely had time to process what had happened before the countdown to Paris began in earnest. The realization that she would soon be standing on the starting line of the 100m and 200m finals at the 2024 Olympic Games hit her like a wave, surging with excitement but also crashing with the weight of responsibility.

The months leading up to the Paris Olympics were a whirlwind. Cynthia spent countless hours training with Mr. Ashton, fine-tuning her technique, improving her starts, and increasing her explosive power. Her body, though stronger than ever, was constantly sore, pushing the limits of what she thought possible. But even more intense than the physical preparation was the mental grind. Every race, every set of intervals, every lap on the track was about more than just time—it was about focus. The pressure, though ever-present, had become part of her routine, something she learned to channel rather than fear.

Her mornings started early, sometimes before the sun had risen over the Caribbean Sea, when the world was still wrapped in silence. The sound of her feet hitting the track, the rhythmic pounding that echoed in the empty stadium, became a comforting constant. These hours of solitude and hard work—those were the moments when Cynthia felt most connected to her purpose, when the noise of the world and the weight of expectations faded into the background.

Paris was becoming real. Every day, it felt closer. The final stretch of preparation was here, and Cynthia could already feel the electric buzz in the air. She had attended training camps in Europe, competed in several international meets, and raced against some of the fastest sprinters in the world. Yet, nothing compared to the quiet anticipation of the Olympic Games.

Her phone buzzed as she stepped out of the locker room after another grueling workout. It was a message from her mother.

"Are you ready for Paris? We're all so proud of you, Cyn. Go show them what you're made of!"

Cynthia smiled as she read the message, her chest swelling with pride. Her mother's voice had been her rock throughout this entire journey. It was her mother who had told her to never give up on her dreams, even when the road seemed too long or too hard. **"You'll make it to the top, Cyn. You'll bring back a medal for Barbados."**

For all the tension of the coming competition, for all the fear of failure and the pressure of expectation, her mother's belief in her remained steady. And in moments like these, when doubt crept in, it was her mother's unwavering words that gave her the strength to keep going.

As the final weeks drew near, Cynthia's focus sharpened. She became more intentional with every decision; from what she ate to how she rested. The mental aspect of her training became as important as the physical. Every night before bed, she would visualize the Olympic stadium—the roar of the crowd, the sound of the starter's pistol, the explosion of power as she surged forward in the 100m final, then the rhythm of the curve in the 200m. She pictured herself crossing the finish line, pushing through the final stretch with everything she had.

Her friends and family back home in Barbados were on the edge of their seats, sending messages of encouragement and tracking her every move. Social media, too, had exploded with support. *#CynthiaRiveiraForGold* became a rallying cry for many, especially the youth of Barbados who had begun to see Cynthia as a symbol of hope and perseverance.

But the journey was far from over. It wasn't just about making it to Paris; it was about standing tall when the stakes were highest. It was about proving to herself—and to the world—that she could go the distance.

The day Cynthia and her team arrived in Paris was filled with awe and disbelief. The Olympic Village was an overwhelming sight—massive, bustling with athletes from every corner of the globe, a mosaic of talent, culture, and ambition. The Village was a microcosm of the world, and yet, in the midst of all the energy, Cynthia felt incredibly alone. Surrounded by athletes who had also trained for years to reach this moment, she realized just how high the stakes were. Every athlete here was hungry. Every one of them was capable of greatness.