Dreaming of the Olympics is one thing.
Getting yourself back on a world class programme, with a baby and two pre-schoolers to look after, was a different matter entirely.
At that time, less than two years ago, Oliva says she told a few close friends and family that she was considering coming out of retirement.
“‘Are you crazy?’ was the reaction,” she admited. “‘Are you sure? You’re sleep-deprived!’
“But I think that they also know what I’m like and they also know how much the Olympics means to me.
“So to now make it back to the Great Britain Cycling Team is just the biggest honour. It is the biggest team effort from Lewis, my husband, who supports this 100% and [the children’s] grandparents. I couldn’t do it without them.
“We had Lewis’s parents out on a training camp with us in Italy so that we were able to train together.
“It really pushes me on.”
Just being back at the top table of British cycling is an impressive achievement, especially when you consider the strength of the current women’s endurance programme.
At last month’s Track World Championships, Great Britain took gold in the women’s team pursuit.
Millie Couzens then led a GB one-two in the individual pursuit. Anna Morris ended the Championships with three golds.
Oliva admits that getting final selection for the Los Angeles Games will be a ‘tall order’.
But then again, so was getting this far.
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