Rio 2016 gold medallist Nicole Nieves of the United States is set to make a triumphant return to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, following her absence from Tokyo 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Nicky, aiming for Paris is more than just a return, it’s a mission of redemption. Reflecting on her missed opportunity in Tokyo, Nieves candidly shared, “Tokyo was a tough blow. I prepped for everything, and to have it taken away was like a punch in the gut. Now, I feel like I’m going for everything that COVID took away from me. This is my redemption year to get back what I deserve, essentially.”
She her teammates are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for Paris. The team has been focusing on a mix of intense training sessions and camps to fine-tune their performance.
“We’re mixing things up a lot,” she said. “Different lineups, different personnel, and spending a lot of time together. These camps are crucial for us to perfect our strategies and build team cohesion.”
Currently stationed at the team’s training site, she is immersed in daily practices. She acknowledges the challenges but remains optimistic about the team’s progress.
“Of course, there’s an ebb and flow in practice, right? But I think it’s going really well. Even when we face hiccups and bumps, we’re taking it to the chest and seeing how we need to adjust and do better.”
One of the most anticipated aspects of the upcoming Games is the clash with China, a team that has consistently been a formidable opponent.
“I don’t even think it’s like a rivalry. In my mind, it’s like a battle of the top, just because when I came in in 2011 and watched 2012, it’s always been a battle, duking it out. I literally feel like every time we step on the court with them, it’s like, show us what you’ve got. May the best women win.”
Following their 2024 WPV Women’s Super 6 win, their last official competition against China before the Paralympic Games in Paris, Nicky and her teammates are now looking to secure their third straight Paralympic gold medal, which would match China’s achievement in the first three editions.
This fierce competition has fuelled her drive to excel and push herself to the limits. With deep respect for their opponents, she is poised for both teams to showcase their best sitting volleyball action at Paris 2024.
