Rio 2016 Olympics

Vicky Holland: First-time qualification for Rio de Janeiro is "invaluable"

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 24 September 2015

Great Britain's Vicky Holland admits that it is "invaluable" to have secured qualification for next year's Olympic Games at the first time of asking.

Vicky Holland has admitted that she is delighted to have qualified for the Olympics with almost a year to spare.

Last weekend, Holland finished in third place in the World Triathlon Final in Chicago, guaranteeing herself one of the three places available to Great Britain representatives.

Holland could have still earned a place in Brazil during the early part of 2016, but the Gloucester athlete has described achieving a spot at the Games at the first time of asking as "invaluable".

The 29-year-old told the Gloucester Citizen: "It is huge, I can't understate it. The fact I've qualified in September with 11 months until the race at the Olympic Games, that's invaluable to tailor my whole winter training to prepare for the season.

"All of my races next season will be based around one day in August next year now. If I hadn't qualified, I'd be racing in March or April and I'd have to be at my very best to qualify then.

"I can still race in March or April but there's no pressure and everything I do now will be about the Olympic Games."

Three years ago, Holland finished in 26th place at London 2012.