Two athletes with ties to Quest University just completed up their events at the Tokyo Olympics.
Leah Kirchmann, 31, an alum of Quest University, rides for Team Canada and just wrapped up her final Olympic event. On July 24, she competed in the Women’s Road Race where she placed 36th overall.On July 27, Kirchmann also competed in the Women’s Individual Time Trial where she placed 12th overall.
In an Instagram post, Kirchmann said of the time trial race that she “did everything I could to prepare for this event, and can be happy in executing a technically smooth & strong race. Time trialing is as much a battle against yourself as it is against the competition, so I think I am most proud that I gave myself the best shot mentally leading up to and during the race. Congrats to the medalists, and to honestly every athlete taking part in these Games.”
As well, Haley Batten, 22, a Quest University student, rides for Team USA and recently completed her event at the Olympics. On July 26, Batten competed in the Women’s Cross-Country Mountain Bike race, where she finished ninth overall.
According to USA Cycling, the riders raced one start loop then five laps of the course, a change that happened the day of the event due to the weather. Additionally, riders experienced changing conditions on the course as parts dried out and other parts remained slick and wet, according to USA Cycling.
“Some of the climbs had some really steep corners that, after this rain, were really slick. I think it was hard to know if I should get off and run, or if I should try and ride it,” Batten said to USA Cycling.
Batten also said she had “no words” to explain competing in the Olympics.
“I think coming in, you know it’s your dream, but I think living out something that you only really dream of and it's in your mind since I was a young kid and to be here and to live every day of that was just incredible. I have no words to explain it. It's amazing,” she said to USA Cycling.
