GOLDEN GIRLS

What’s it like to win an Olympic gold medal? And what does it take to stand at the top of the podium? We asked the women who know, and find out their ones to watch’ for Paris 2024

- Joanna Ebsworth

'My mantra for sporting success, and even in life, is "tough times don't last, tough people do". It's literally the story of my Olympic career, considering I got my first cap in 2007. And it was helpful when I felt like I was letting everyone down and wasting my time - especially during those moments of pressure, sadness, injury and deselection, when you feel you're going nowhere because it seems like other people are in control of your dream. Until the latter part of 2013, I had some very tough times mentally, and was very much in my own head after I wasn't selected for the London 2012 games. I questioned myself on many occasions, but there was always a little fire inside of me that kept burning. You've got to have that fire because it takes so much energy and emotion and dedication to get to where you want. I lost friends along the way because I was chasing my dream, but I've paid back the ones that are still with me.

'I had one of my best years for performance and selections in the run up to the 2016 Olympics. And I think the way we won gold against the Netherlands on penalties at the 2015 Euros definitely helped put the team in a winning mindset for Rio. When we ended up in the same situation against the same team in the Olympic final, I believe we had the psychological advantage because we'd beat them on penalties before. I remember the final whistle going and looking across to the Dutch team before the shoot-out, and their body language showed their heads had gone, whereas we all sprinted into a circle and very much believed we were taking the gold home. We were strong female athletes putting in a fast and furious shift because, ultimately, we were playing for the future of our sport and just wanted to put hockey on the map.