Alberta cyclist reflects after unexpected Olympic debut
Alison Jackson, a cyclist from the town of Vermilion, was called last minute to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to join Team Canada in the women’s cycling road race final Sunday.
“It was a wild ride, but that’s a call you don’t say no to,” said Jackson. She received the call from the performance manager of cycling Canada just 10 days before the Olympic race.
Jackson was the first alternate for Team Canada during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and again for Tokyo 2020. This year, she filled a spot left vacant on the team due to another country pulling out of Sunday’s 137-kilometre woman’s road race.
The 32-year-old cyclist says her first Olympic Games experience, although unique, also validated her talents as an athlete.
“It confirmed a lot of things for me like, I’m meant to be here, I’m one of the top Canadian riders and I belong in this high level race,” said Jackson.
Jackson made it to Tokyo after a switch up in flights due complications with her COVID-19 paperwork in Vancouver. She was rerouted to a longer flight out of Toronto adding an extra travel day, something has stressful effects on the body and mind.
Despite the unconventional journey to the games, Jackson says she’s used to adapting to chaotic situations.
“As an athlete one of our skills is being adaptable. You have to be adaptable and you learn how to manage chaos and stress and disappointment.”
Alison Jackson (left) joined Team Canada in the woman's cycling road race final. COURTESY: Alison Jackson
Jackson raced in the company of Leah Kirchmann and Karol-Ann Canul in Sunday’s four hour course along the Fuji International Speedway, a road the Olympic athlete describes as very difficult.
“The course was really hard. Lots of climbing, really long hard climb and then these circuits on the fuji circuit raceway had a lot of turns, ups and downs,” said Jackson.
Jackson’s family watched the four hour-race unfold late into the night as the cyclist from the farming community just two hours east of Edmonton lived out her Olympic dreams.
“It's shock and surreal,” said Nathan Farkash, Jackson’s brother. “Making it to the Olympics is rare and to have one in the family is a momentous achievement and for our community.”
The top rider on team Canada finished 16th in the race, but Canada did not end up with a medal.
For Jackson, being able to soak up her experience and see the unity the Olympic Games can bring was a victory in itself.
“Family and friends and anyone who has known me were also just so exited and (felt) my joy,” said Jackson. “I think that’s what the power of sport is, and I think that’s the best part of the Olympics.”
With files from CTV Edmonton's Touria Izri.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.