Track sprinters feature prominently in a series of YouTube videos posted by the UCI in recent days, ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Thailand’s Jai Angsuthasawit, Canada’s Kelsey Mitchell, Suriname’s Jaïr Tjon En Fa, France’s Mathilde Gros and Trinidad & Tobago’s Nicholas Paul all star in professionally-filmed, two-minute interview pieces, all in English, talking about their respective journeys to Olympic-level competition.

It’s familiar fare, to be honest: each rider talks about their love of the sport, and the hard work required to qualify. The first-timers share their excitement, the veterans describe the challenge of maintaining or rediscovering their motivation.

Kelsey Mitchell’s piece stands out as characteristically candid. ‘The season’s been… not great,’ the defending sprint champion admits. ‘2023 was rough for me. I was doing everything I possibly could, but getting worse. I was just not finding the joy in it that I was before.

‘That slowly has come back. I’ll be going into Paris as a different person, different athlete. I’ll be excited to get on the line.’

The series also includes pieces on Dan Bigham, the British engineer who has had numerous clashes with the UCI in the past; as well as his colleague at Ineos, Elia Viviani, and American BMX freestyler Hannah Roberts.

Keep an eye on the UCI’s YouTube channel for more videos as the Games approach.