Despite recent lacklustre performances which included a disqualified in Hamburg and a 10th place at the world championships, Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal appeared confident and to be ready for the triathlon at the Beijing Olympics.

"I'm just going to be Vanessa on race day, just to do my best and take the pressure off my mind and to believe in me and believe in the work I have done in these last few years and last few months and to think that everything is possible," said Fernandes, a most prolific world titlist, on Monday at the Jundu Tourist Villa, the hotel for the triathlon at the Olympics in Beijing.

"The last few days here I felt good but I know the humidity and the weather will be a little difficult for everyone so I don't know but I think I will feel good with this weather," said Fernandes.

For months Fernandes has been widely regarded as the gold medal favourite. She is still among the major players for a spot on the podium but she showed respects to the other 54 women in the field.

"Every girl is talented. I think any of the 55 women can be in the top three," said she.

"I'm not stronger than them, I'm just another girl to compete with them. I know I worked for that. This is another test in my life, another part so and another experience and I will learn a lot with another Olympic Games."

"Everything is different for these Olympics, really different. In my first Olympics I was young. In the race I went with the girls and saw what I can do. But in the last four years I won some things and I put my name a little high in triathlon. The mentality is different and my goals are different and I'm growing up," said Fernandes.

After failing to finish in Pontevedra because of the cold and finishing 10th in Vancouver also for the same reason, it was clear Fernandes does not enjoy racing in the cold. But that will hardly be a problem here in Beijing as athletes will have to battle the heat and humidity.

Much has been said of Fernandes not winning as much as the last few years. She admitted her last few races have perhaps shaken her confidence.

"I think maybe in the last months maybe a little but I think in the last few stages I have learned a lot with my coaches, only not training physically but psychologically it was very good for that. I think I'm prepared for next Monday."

Fernandes will line up on the Beijing pontoon on Monday for the women's triathlon challenge.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)