Van Coevorden’s Olympic debut driven by backing and belief

Natalie Van Coevorden’s Olympic debut in Paris will be a heartfelt celebration of her journey, enriched by the unwavering support of her family, a deep connection to France, and the legacy of the women that have come before her.

As she steps onto the Champs-Élysées, the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete brings with her a blend of personal perseverance and the backing of those who believed, marking her long-awaited moment on the world’s grandest stage.

The 31-year-old is one of three Games debutants alongside Luke Willian and Sophie Linn, the trio joining Tokyo Olympian Matt Hauser on the Australian team for triathlon’s sixth Games appearance.

The famous streets of one of the world’s great cities will welcome memories of when she first raced around the Eiffel Tower in 2012.

Ever since, Van Coevorden has experienced the ups-and-downs of a professional triathlete, living away from home, her dreams so close but so far, overcoming the heartbreak of missing selection for Tokyo 2020 but somehow picking herself up to finally get the call up this time around.

“When I got the good news, I just burst into tears,” Van Coevorden said.

“I said ‘Thank you so much, I’m really grateful for this opportunity and I’m going to grasp it with everything I’ve got for myself and the other three people on this team’.

“I was just so excited and grateful to have my partner and one of my best friends there to share that moment. All of us were in tears to be honest.

The girl from Campbelltown in Sydney’s south-west admits the last few years have been a real resilience battle for her.

“The past five years been nothing short of challenging. I’ve had to pick myself up as an athlete many times,” Van Coevorden said.

“I’m actually really proud of myself.

“There were lots of times I could have called it quits. There were times I didn’t believe in myself, but so many other people believed in me. I’m so grateful for them. That’s why I’m standing here right now.”

“I’ve gone through a lot and all the support I’ve got from AusTriathlon, all my coaches and my family. It’s certainly been a journey, but we’ve made it with both feet on the ground.”

Perhaps no support has been more significant over the past eight months than current coach, Dan Atkins, who stood by Van Coevorden after she anchored Australia to 14th place in the Mixed Relay at last year’s Paris test event.

“I was in a pretty bad place after walking home after the Mixed Relay with Dan,” Van Coevorden said.

“He literally picked me up from off the ground and took me with open arms into his coaching environment.

“It’s been a great eight months learning from him and getting feedback from him on what we can do better, especially over the shorter distance of the relay.”

Van Coevorden’s gratitude extends to her family, whose unwavering support has been instrumental throughout her career.

“You realise when you get older your parents do a lot for you when you are a kid, and I would not be an Olympian without them,” Van Coevorden said.

“All those 5am mornings going to swimming, netball, and running. I’m very grateful for everything they did.

“Mum and Dad have not been able to see me race over the past few years with me spending so much time in Europe. It will be great to have them here in Paris to cheer me on and not having to watch from behind a TV screen for once.”

Having spent a decade racing with Poissy Triathlon in the French Grand Prix, Van Coevorden’s connection to Paris extends beyond her Olympic debut. Her long-standing involvement with the team has created a deep bond with the city

A bond that was first forged when she raced beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower in 2012.

“They are all going to come down and watch,” Van Coevorden said.

“It will feel like I’m part of one big family.

“One of my Facebook memories popped up recently from 2012 with Charlotte McShane and myself pictured at the Eiffel Tower for the Paris Grand Prix.

“To think that ‘wow’ 12 years on I’ll be back there racing on the world’s biggest stage at the Olympics.

“It was the first time we’d been to Paris and such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and ever since then it has been a fascination.

“Over the past 10 years I’ve been so close to Paris with so many connections so it will be great to be back in one of the great iconic cities of the world.”

Van Coevorden’s path to the Olympics reflects the inspiration and support she has garnered from those who came before her.

Her connection to the Games was first kindled by watching Erin Densham, an Olympic bronze medalist, compete in Beijing 2008. The early exposure instilled in her the belief that the Olympic stage was within reach.

“When I was growing up, I did a lot of sport but I wasn’t really good at any of them and never thought I could ever go to the Olympics.

“But my special memory was when I was in school watching 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Erin Densham make her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008.

“Erin actually came from my area, my triathlon club and went to my high school, John Therry Catholic College in Campbelltown.

“That was the first memory of the Olympics that I had – and I thought if she could do it then maybe I could too. It gave me a real belief in myself.”

A belief that was further reinforced, Van Coevorden drawing inspiration from the achievements of Beijing gold and bronze medallists Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffatt.

“It’s been so nice to catch up with Emma Moffatt in her role (as Olympic Campaign Lead) with AusTriathlon and Emma Snowsill came into Italy when we were racing recently,” said Van Coevorden

“It so good to get some advice and support and great to have them around.

“They built that pathway for us and recognising what they’ve done and getting as much back from them as possible is so important.

“There are only a handful of women that have been before me. That’s pretty special in itself. It’s nice to be a part of that select group of women from Australia.”

Article courtesy of Aus Triathlon