Kiwi BMX rider Sarah walker has taken to social media to express her emotions following her failed attempt at Olympic qualification.
Walker missed out in her final opportunity at qualifying last week, after crashing out at the World Championship event in Colombia.
The Olympic Silver medalist has noted a varying degree of emotions that have been brought to the surface this past week with a personal post on her Facebook page.
"After everything I had been through to even be at the World Champs, facing another injury was extremely frustrating." She said.
In alluding to the heartbreak Walker said.
"Not being able to wear the silver fern at the Olympics in Rio and express myself fully under the ultimate pressure."
"Crashing during practice became the biggest challenge I've ever had to face. It felt like my dream was all but gone, yet I had to come back the following day and give everything that was left (barely being able to move my arm)."
But Walker also pointed to the support she has had from friends, family and fans.
"To everyone that had supported me on my journey, through thick and thin, the good times and the bad, believed in me no matter what and helped me be as ready as I possibly could be at every step of the way."
The 2009 World Champion also referred to her numerous battles with injury over the course of the last 8 years.
"When someone says "Fall seven times, stand up eight", I'm not quite sure they mean it literally, but in the last four years, I've had to stand up more times than I'd like to count. I've broken 10 bones, suffered a head injury and had 3 operations."
Showing her true class as an athlete and a Kiwi, Walker wished her fellow countryman all the best at the upcoming Rio Olympics.
"Lastly, I wish all the qualified BMX athletes and the entire New Zealand Olympic Team all the very best for the Olympic Games in Rio. I will be watching and cheering and supporting and hope that every single one of you can give 100% of what you are capable of."
Walker has been non-committal on her future on the professional side of BMX but says she plans to have fun riding her bike and proving why she loves BMX so much.
Newshub.
