"I just count myself as one of those very few lucky individuals" - Former volleyball player Ci Michel on representing her country at the Olympics
Former Great Britain volleyball player Ci Michel opened up on her 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' to represent the nation at the Olympics. Playing as a middle blocker, she was a part of the Great Britain women's volleyball team at the 2012 London Olympics, which defeated Algeria and finished joint-eighth.
Sportskeeda recently caught up with former volleyball player Ci Michel to discuss her experience playing at the Olympic Games and her predictions for the men's and women's volleyball events at the Paris Olympics 2024. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Q: How was the experience playing at the 2012 Olympics?
Ci Michel: Amazing. I think playing at the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and there's nothing you can trade it for. It's only the most elite athletes; it's only the luckiest. A lot of things have to go your way. All the stars must align for you to stand in that uniform on that court.
So I just count myself as one of those very few lucky individuals who had an amazing time representing my country and being, I don't know, I guess, kind of a representative for volleyball players worldwide. And the experience itself was phenomenal. I got to meet many good people and have great experiences, and I think I've had many opportunities come from it, and I'm sure this is one of them.
Q: What do you think of the United States' chance of winning the volleyball event at the Olympics?
Ci Michel: The USA has already won gold. The men have. They won two Olympics ago, and the women won it last time. So they're always one of the contenders for best teams in the world, and I think they've got a pretty good chance.
Q: Which country do you back to win the men's and women's volleyball?
Ci Michel: I think there are always some different factors in different teams to watch out for. France has been strong recently on the men's side; Brazil is always a contender. Poland is dominant in the men's as well. But I think my loyalties, I'm unbiased, I will put it that way. As a commentator, I have to be impartial. I can't be picking favorites.