Naomi FOLKARD (GBR): “I definitely would like to compete again in Rio 2016!”


  The British archer Naomi FOLKARD competed in her third Olympic Games in London at age 28. The runner-up of both the World Indoor Archery Championships and the European Championships shared her thoughts on the Olympics during the Field Archery World Championships in Val d’Isère.   Please tell us about your experience of the Olympic Games? There is so much to say, I went to the Opening Ceremony and that was really impressive. Our team were lucky enough to stand by next to the cauldron where the flame would be lit. And when it was lit that was a very special moment for us. And competing in front of the home crowd was just amazing, with a lot of support. Everyone did their best and it was just wonderful to be able to shoot in front of so many people.
What was it like shooting at home? When shooting I’m focused on what I have to do, it’s afterwards, after you finish your match, that you realise how much support you have. That was very special for me. I think the British crowd really enjoys watching sports and are true sports fans, I don’t think we had that in Beijing or Athens even though there were a lot of people in the stadiums. I felt like I shot strong. My qualification wasn’t good, but in the matches I shot strong, and I felt good and I was happy with that. In my second match I shot against Mariana AVITIA (MEX) who ended up getting the bronze medal. She shot so well, two sets at 30 and one at 29, there was really nothing I could do against that. But I’m happy with how that went.   What have you done after the competition was over? I stayed in the village for three more nights after the archery competition finished. There are the best athletes in the world, it’s an opportunity and I didn’t want to waste it. I was able to watch other sports as well: athletics, cycling, triathlon, and hockey… It was just great to be out there to support other British athletes. I saw Mo FARAH win his gold medal in the 10,000 metres. Then I went home to get ready for the World Archery Field Championships. I had four days to practice my shot sequence, get a sight tape (sight marks), and make sure my bow was ready – it is tuned differently for shooting 70 metres versus shooting field distances. I shot just one field competition at home this year, and one last year and before that, I took part in the world championships two years ago. It’s not enough really. I’m just hoping I will remember how to do it (laughs). My goal here is to enjoy it. I’d love to win a medal but as long as I enjoy my shooting and shoot well I will be happy.   What’s in the future for you? I trained fulltime for seven years, and I feel like I want to do something different, to change maybe for a year so that I’m not shooting fulltime. But I definitely would like to compete again in Rio 2016! We don’t know yet for sure if we will have the funding that we have received so far, but I think we will.   Follow Naomi FOLKARD on Twitter: @archernomes   World Archery Communication
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