A glimpse into the travel habits of our Olympic athletes.

In the world of sports, where every second counts, the journey to victory extends far beyond the confines of the competition arena. Success is marked by dedication, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
As the world's best meet in Paris, we unpack the travel routines of three winning athletes as they prepare to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire nation.

Tatjana Schoenmaker

The meticulous journeyer Tatjana's approach to travel mirrors her dedication in the pool - focused on optimising performance at every turn. Here's a snapshot of the wisdom she's gained on the road.

• Swim essentials

Goggles, a racer, and a training costume form the core of Tatjana's carry-on. "If my luggage gets lost at least I can still swim the race!" she laughs, highlighting her practical approach to packing.

• Homely comforts

Heading to the Paris Olympics, Tatjana tucks in South African snacks and a few cherished family photos. "It's always nice to have some things that remind you of home," she says, reflecting on the physical and emotional sustenance these items provide during intense competition.

• Routine is key

She swears by consistency, sticking to familiar eating patterns and shunning the temptations that travel usually brings. "Often you're confronted with different foods, but it's important to stay disciplined and not to change your diet just because you're travelling."

• Comfort is a priority

Quality sleep is non-negotiable and her pillow from home is Tatjana's ultimate companion when on the move. "It's not a travel pillow, but the actual pillow off my bed. It keeps me comfortable during the flight and ensures that I'll get the best night's sleep when I arrive at my destination."

• Jet-lag snag

Tatjana's strategy for overcoming jet lag involves syncing her routine with the destination's time zone and ensuring that she arrives in a new country a week or two before competition to help her body adapt. "I'm also always standing up and stretching my legs on a flight. I find that getting up, walking and making an effort to stretch really helps."

• Packing pro

Her packing mantra revolves around maximising space and organisation. Layering clothes and organising essentials ensures she's ready to dive into action upon arrival. With baggage restrictions in mind, Tatjana prioritises items like supplements and racing gear, and leaves some room for additional clothing purchases at her destination. "Prioritising is key," she says, showcasing her pragmatic approach to managing strict luggage limits.

• Pretty fly

Reflecting on her experiences, Tatjana emphasises the significance of mindfulness during travel, advocating for attentive navigation and adequate rest to deal with the rigours of international competition. "As soon as I get on the plane, I'll put my compressions on, just to get the blood flowing, and then I try and focus on making myself as comfortable as possible so that I can relax."

Wayde Van Niekerk

Simple strategies for smooth travels. There's no need to overcomplicate things. Discover how track sensation Wayde keeps his travel routine as straightforward and effective as possible.

• Keep it simple

Wayde's philosophy revolves around simplicity, both in competition and travel. Consistency is key, from the way he packs his bags to maintaining his pre-race rituals. "I'm someone who keeps things simple, especially when it comes to competing. I try not to change things much. When travelling I keep things the same and will always put my passport in a certain place and pack my bags in a certain way. So, if something's needed, or missing, I know exactly where it is."

• Travel essentials

With a wallet, phone, and PlayStation in tow, Wayde ensures he's prepared for any scenario. His devotion to simplicity extends to his entertainment needs. "Having these items with me, I know that if anything has to happen to my bags at least I have the most important items. For the same reason I like to pack an extra pair of clothes. Just in case my luggage doesn't arrive on the other side. I'm old school. I just need my headphones and my music and I'm good. A more unexpected item would be my Bible. I always make sure it's in my bag. It's like a good luck charm and reminds me that I'll have a safe trip and that everything will go smoothly."

• Health and comfort

Motion sickness is a challenge for Wayde, but he manages it through hydration and ensuring he consumes enough quality food and liquid during flights. He also prioritises rest and recovery, particularly during long journeys. "Travelling is one of my biggest weaknesses. I really struggle with it and often feel extremely nauseous. I find staying hydrated helps."

• Travelling light

To optimise space and minimise hassle, Wayde adopts a systematic packing approach, prioritising essentials and leaving room for souvenirs on the return journey. "My best tip is just to make sure your wife's toiletry bag is in first! Then whatever space is left over is for you," he laughs.

• Life lessons

Wayde's past experiences have taught him the value of staying organised and adhering to a checklist. This ensures smooth travels and seamless transitions between destinations. "Funnily enough, some people consider travel a rest day but it's actually pretty strenuous and challenging for me. I like to stay focused on my destination, keep as relaxed as possible, and only once I land, I let the excitement build. As athletes we are really blessed to travel to other countries and see the world. I don't overthink things. I just experience it as a blessing to be able to travel the world like this."

Chad Le Clos

Top tips from a globetrotter. Chad is looking forward to participating in his fourth Olympic Games. He's certainly learnt a thing or two about travel, competing for as long as he has been, and shares his tips for staying sharp while jet-setting around the world.

• Lucky charms

Chad carries a special good luck charm - often a memento from his family - to every race. Whether it's a nostalgic item or some other playful trinket, these items keep him grounded and focused. "My family will always bring me something special before a race, in particular my brother, who'll be coming down from Texas, and will give me a lucky charm that I'll keep with me and carry around during the competition."

• Must-haves in the carry-on

Sports gear tops Chad's list, followed by entertainment items for his downtime. Rounding off his essentials is anything he needs to stay connected and catch up on shows. "Obviously all my swimming stuff goes in first, then my PlayStation, and third is my laptop for emails and to watch Netflix and all that fun stuff. My PlayStation is always with me, though, and I even have a little 4k monitor in case the TV isn't great where I'm staying. I turn my phone off so only my inner circle can contact me. And I'm not even talking about family and friends, but my coach, sports psychologist, nutritionist and physios."

• Travel light, stay healthy

A self-professed germophobe, Chad advocates for wearing masks on flights, a habit he maintained long before it became the norm. Staying hydrated, dosing up on vitamins, and prioritising exercise upon arrival are his go-to strategies for a healthy journey. "Something else that I've been doing recently, just to keep my health and mental health up to scratch, is that I have these blue light blockers that I wear while travelling. It looks really funny, but they're very important for my sleep."

• Destination favourites

Chad's travels have taken him far and wide, and he finds it difficult to choose a favourite destination. "I really enjoy Europe, and have spent most of my time there, but America is also special, especially now that my brother is living that side. The Middle East is special in its own right. I know I'm naming everywhere now, but I really enjoyed Dubai. Australia is a bit far, but the time I've spent on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts as well as Sydney was really amazing. If I had to choose just one place, I'd have to say Mauritius. It's where my father was born and is kind of like my second home."

• Routine is key

Chad thrives on consistency, sticking to pre-race rituals and maintaining a familiar routine wherever he goes. Whether it's wearing the same lucky shirt or prioritising exercise upon arrival, he ensures his travel habits align with his performance goals. "I think Gary Player said that it didn't matter where he was in the world, the first thing he'd do when arriving at a place was to get in a little bit of exercise. Just to get acclimatised. The first thing I like to do as I get off the plane is to get back into my routine. The most important thing is to get acclimatised as quickly as possible."