Whizz Kid

“IT helped me become an Olympic champion”

- Nicole Cooke, Olympic Gold Medalist 2008, World Champion 2008, World Cup Winner 2003 & 2006

“Computer technology helped me win my Olympic Gold medal and become World Champion. During my preparation for big races, like the Olympics, careful monitoring of my heart rate and other vital stats is central to my training. Special computer technology and software helps my coach track my performance and adjust my training accordingly. For instance, I record my heart rate during training with a Polar heartrate monitor and then download the file to my computer. Afterwards, I can see all the data and email this straight to my coach Fabio Bartalucci. He’ll look at the information and evaluate what I need to work on to improve my performance.

New computer technology and online databases allow me to access the latest information instantaneously and keep me up-to-date on things like nutrition plans and even aerodynamic details on different pieces of my bike equipment. Having this information at my fingertips is critical.

I’m always trying to get any advantage I can to give me a competitive edge, and having access to the latest computer technology is a vital part of that.