Lejla Tanović: Competing at the Olympic Games is my lifelong dream

Interview by: Haris Ljevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina's best female cyclist Lejla Tanović recently won her third consecutive Balkan Championship title.

In an interview with the Patria News Agency, Lejla Tanović talks about cycling in BiH, the conditions for practicing this sport, preparations for future competitions, and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo…

NAP: A few days ago, you won your third consecutive Balkan Championship title after an unfortunate injury. How does it feel to be the best in the Balkans? 

Tanović: The feeling is truly special. It was my third consecutive Balkan Championship title, and each time I felt incredible when I put on the jersey of the Balkan Cycling Union, the Balkan champion's jersey. This title is special to me because the injury I sustained ten days before the competition made my preparations for the Balkan Championship and the World Cup in Italy very difficult. However, we decided not to risk competing in the World Cup and to dedicate ourselves entirely to the Balkan Championship and the upcoming World University Championship.

NAP: You are the first female cyclist from BiH to sign a professional contract in this sport. Is it possible to live a normal life in BiH by pursuing this sport?

Tanović: Unfortunately, no, and I think there are very few sports in Bosnia and Herzegovina that one can make a living from. A professional contract for cyclists means a lot, especially because bicycles and equipment are often replaced, and besides traveling to competitions, it requires a lot of money. However, I pursue this sport out of great love for mountain biking and for the support I receive from my coach and family.

NAP: What are the general conditions in BiH for practicing cycling? Are there satisfactory conditions like tracks for training and competition?

Tanović: The conditions for practicing mountain biking in Bosnia and Herzegovina are ideal because all the mountains are nearby, and each mountain has different terrains suitable for training. In fact, I have all the conditions for practicing this sport in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's interesting that the conditions are also ideal in winter, when I train in Herzegovina and can cycle all year round, which is quite rare in Europe.

NAP: You have won the national championship title ten times. In sports, one can get saturated in such situations, but not you. Where do you find the motivation to win the same trophy every year? 

Tanović: I enjoy competing in national races the most because we have a great atmosphere at the races and also the largest number of my fans who always cheer me on. That is certainly one of the reasons why I always give my best, and I thank them for that encouragement. The national champion title is perhaps the most valuable to me because it is difficult to win, and in the world of cycling, it truly represents a great achievement. Something that also always motivates me for training is the great progress I make year after year, and that shows me that we will surely achieve better results every year.

NAP: Among the most responsible for your great results is coach Amar Njemčević, one of the best fitness coaches in our country. How is it working with him? 

Tanović: Amar is one of the few coaches in the world with a UCI license for MTB cycling, and when it comes to training, he is extremely thorough and precise. Something that has certainly contributed most to my success is that Amar attends every one of my training sessions and also manages my diet plan. His experience in sports has helped me overcome mental barriers I had at the beginning of my career, so mental strength is now one of my stronger points as an athlete.

NAP: In the cycling world, you are known by the nickname "Bosnian Flower." Where did that nickname come from? 

Tanović: I think it appeared a few times in media articles, but I'm not sure exactly where it originated. 

NAP: Next month, you will be competing in the World University Championship. What result do you expect? 

Tanović: I am very happy that I will be competing in the World University Championship in Portugal this year as a representative of the University of Sarajevo. Of course, I will give my best in the race and aim for the best possible placement. For now, we have very little information about the course profile, so we don't know exactly what awaits us. We will have three days of official training, and I am sure that my coach and I will make the best possible preparation. 

NAP: You have set achieving the qualification standard for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo as your main goal for the upcoming period. What result do you need for the standard, and can we expect you to achieve it? 

Tanović: The qualification standard for the Olympic Games is met by three cyclists from one country by collecting UCI points. Based on the collected UCI points, a country is ranked on the nations list, and that ranking determines the qualification standard for one cyclist from that country to go to the Olympic Games.

Unfortunately, this gives an enormous advantage to wealthy countries that can finance the participation of a larger number of cyclists in a very large number of races and thus collect the necessary points. I have to collect the largest portion of points for the qualification standard myself, however, we will do our best to meet the standard, and with the progress I am making every year, I am very optimistic.

NAP: Can your great results inspire girls in BiH to start cycling? 

Tanović: I sincerely hope so, and I am very pleased that lately I have been meeting many more girls competing. Mountain biking is a truly beautiful sport because of the nature you are in every day, but also because of the experiences you cannot have in any other sport.

I often have the opportunity to compete in stage races lasting three or four days in various countries, which gives us the chance to get to know the country, its people, and customs in a unique way. I think such things can build character, and practicing sports in general certainly brings irreplaceable experiences.