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Olympic profile: Ellesse Andrews on-song, sprinting for success

Track sprint cycling sensation Ellesse Andrews spoke with 1News' Jordan Oppert about how her two world have collided. (Source: Breakfast)

Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, 1News' Jordan Oppert caught up with Ellesse Andrews before her second appearance at the pinnacle event.

For Ellesse Andrews, performing is in her blood and in 2024 her "two worlds have collided".

"I love music and I've grown up as quite a musical girl, but with sport it has taken over and in recent years I haven't had those opportunities," she said.

Growing up, she was a singer, played the violin, trumpet, piano and guitar - a passion ignited by her mum - a musician and music teacher.

"She always used to sing to me as a baby, I can hear her in my head now talking about it," Andrews said.

It's what made an approach from the New Zealand Olympic Committee after the Birmingham Commonwealth Games all the more special, when she was asked to help write the NZ Team song alongside Olympic kayaker Max Brown.

Olympians Ellesse Andrews and Max Brown have composed a song for Team Zealand. (Source: Breakfast)

"Me and Max wrote the bones of the song so we had quite a few options over a long period of time just jamming out and trying to come up with something we felt the vibe with.

"Then we sent it to (NZ band) Toi to have a listen and feel it out. We went down to Wellington and they played us an acoustic version - four part harmony, five part harmony - and we loved it," said a still buzzing Andrews.

The song named 'Ain't Just Dreaming' has not only brought joy to Andrews, but her passionate musical family too.

Ellesse Andrews celebrates her win in Glasgow.

"She just loved performing and has continued to love performing and as an extension of that performing on the track - I think music and sport have so many similarities," said Ellesse's mum Angela.

It's been special for dad, Jon too - who joked his daughter's musical abilities most definitely didn't come from him.

"I can hold a tune... but I'm not going to do that on camera. I'd have to do my vocal warm ups," he said.

But he can take some credit for Ellesse's performances on the track - after all, the former cyclist is now her coach after taking over the women's sprint programme last year.

"Ellesse is very strict about calling me Jon at work.. I'm never Dad.. I'm not even allowed to give her any hugs at work. But when we're home, we're dad and daughter."

What's not lost on the rare father-daughter duo is the chance to attend the Olympics together - a Games where Ellesse, a Tokyo silver medallist and current World Champion is a genuine medal contender.

"The Games is just a whole new level and it's so special - I love putting on the Fern and having the (Olympic) rings in front of me," said Ellesse.

"I can just picture celebrating success.. and I can imagine everyone singing along to that (team) song - it'll be interesting to see if that plays out," said Jon.

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