Daniela Campos wants to have fun and open the doors to road cycling at the Olympic Games.

Cyclist Daniela Campos assured this Wednesday that she wants to have fun and reopen the doors of Portuguese women’s road cycling at the Olympic Games with the return of the sport in Paris in 2024, 28 years after Atlanta in 1996.

“I’m leaving with the hope of having fun and making the most of my first Olympic experience. I did my job and preparation as I should have and I’m very happy. I’m leaving for these Games with ambition but with humility because I’ll be running with the best in the world. I want to have fun, do my best and make Portugal proud,” the cyclist told reporters at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport before leaving for Paris.

The 22-year-old national champion stressed that being in the elite in front of “very experienced cyclists with a big name in cycling” gives her a lot of responsibility, as well as being the first Portuguese woman to compete in road cycling since Ana Barros in 1996.

“I hope that Portugal’s qualification in women’s cycling will be a relaunch of our women’s road cycling at the Olympic Games. I hope that it will remain so, that we can qualify for many more Games and open doors to the future,” stressed Daniela Campos, who is already celebrating a new presence in Los Angeles in 2028.

Faro-born Daniela Campos said she suffered two injuries last year that forced her to stop for several months, so she thanked all the national cyclists who contributed to Portugal’s qualification, based on the total points.

“They contributed more to the country’s qualification than I did, because I had two injuries last year and was out of competition for almost the entire year. This selection was very important because it was recognition of my efforts and work. My work is good enough to be here and go to Paris,” he said, also thanking the people who were involved in his recovery.

Despite the injuries, the Eeicat-CMTeam cyclist assured that she managed to overcome them “with distinction” and that she is mentally and physically ready for the competition.

“Injuries always have a huge impact on the way we look at things and our recovery. I had very good people who worked hard with me throughout my recovery. I managed to overcome those more difficult times with distinction and now I am here with strength and a desire to do my best,” he stressed.

The women’s road cycling race is scheduled for Sunday and will start at 1pm along a 158-kilometre route that begins and ends at the Trocadero in Paris.