Olivia Breen

1.Tell us about yourself and how competing with your twin brother sparked your interest for running?

I was born a twin 7 weeks early so I was quite small and had difficulty breathing when I was born. When I was 4 days old the doctor found a rash on me which they suspected could be meningitis so I was put on lots of antibiotics. My parents tell me I was really poorly for a few days but then I got better. However I was very late reaching my milestones and at aged 2 I was diagnosed with athetoid/ataxic cerebral palsy. I am also deaf and have some learning difficulties.

When we growing up my twin brother, Dan was really sporty and I never wanted to be left out and always wanted to be doing what he was doing. As a result I had lots of accidents and fell over all the time. I always found it easier to do things quickly and running came more easily to me than walking. When we were 4, our little brother, Jack was born. I think having a younger brother was really important for me because it meant when he was little I was better than him at some things and we learned together. Both my brothers are still really sporty and I still enjoy training with them.

When I was in reception at sports day everyone was really shocked when I won a race and it felt so good to be good at something. I think the combination of having sporty brothers who pushed me and winning a race at that sports day made me really interested in running.

2. How do you balance training for 100m, 200m and long jump during lock-down?

I no longer do the 200m as bend running seems to aggravate a toe injury I have. Training for the long jump and the 100m really complement each other as both jumping and sprinting are explosive so you need to do similar things for both. I have moved back home from Loughborough during lockdown as my training center there is closed. I am really lucky as we have an outdoor track nearby which is always empty. My dad has some gym equipment at home which I can use for my gym programme. I am not actually jumping but I am doing lots of plyometrics which is a long jump base. I have been sending lots of videos to my coaches and they send feedback. It’s actually not been too bad and I’m feeling pretty good. I do miss having physiotherapy though!

3. What inspired you to take up long jump and add this to an already full training diary?

After London 2012 the next big event was the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. There was no sprinting event for T38s but there was long jump so I started training for that instead. As sprint training and long jump training is quite similar it worked and I love long jump. Disability Sport Wales knew I had a Welsh Mum so really encouraged me to take up long jump training and I’m so glad I did as it has really boosted my career and I love it!

4. What was it like competing at the London 2012 Paralympics as the second youngest in the Great British team and then winning a medal?

It was incredible - the best Games of my life! I never, ever thought I would compete at a Paralympics, and to compete in front of a home crowd was unbelievable. The atmosphere in the stadium was ecstatic - like nothing I have ever experienced!

5. What for you, is more of an achievement and why? Breaking a personal best or winning a gold medal?

Getting a PB is a great achievement and I always get really excited and happy as it shows the hard work is paying off. However, nothing comes close to winning a gold medal and I’m so lucky to have had the experience of winning some and being top of the podium.

6. What are your goals for the next 5 years?

I had hoped to be on the podium in Tokyo this summer, but obviously that was not to be! I am keeping focused on next year’s Paralympics and that is what is keeping me motivated. In 2022 there will be the World Champs in Kobe and then the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and it will be great to be at a home games again.

7. If someone reading this is interested in taking up a disability sport, what advice would you give them?

I would tell them to take every opportunity they are given as you never know where its can take you in life. I wouldn’t be the person I am without sport. It has had a massive impact on my life. Try various sports and see which one suits you best.

8. How much of an impact does the media have in raising the awareness of disability sport and what could be better?

I would say the media has helped massively to make people more aware of disability sport but there are still improvements that can be made. It gets the word out there, for example Instagram is really good for that as people with disabilities can post videos and people can learn from it and try and do it the exercises as it will help them a lot.

9. Do you have any special rituals before the start of a race or competition?

I have to have my hair done in fresh plaits for a major competition and eat half of banana and have a Red Bull. For long jump I have to have sweets and caffeine shots to keep my focus and energy up and give me that extra buzz.

10. Have you/do you do any other sports and would you think about trying them as another Paralympic discipline?

I think I would be good at cycling as my legs are strong and I enjoy cycling.