Jim Morris

VANCOUVER -- Plenty of people dream of competing at the Olympic Games.

But how many wait until they are 32 years old before they try to turn that dream into reality ?

Manon Jutras had a degree in microbiology and marketing. She had spent 10 years working for a pharmaceutical company, but wanted something more in life.

After watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics from the couch in her Montreal home, Jutras decided she wanted a much better seat for this summer's Games.

"I had a real job, nine to five, and I decided to quit for cycling," said Jutras, 36, who will be part of Canada's three-member road race team in Athens.

"I wanted to be an athlete. I started looking for a personal challenge at 32 and got hooked. For me, my age on my birth certificate is not an obstacle."

Jutras was a weekend warrior who ran some triathlons, so cycling came naturally. Still, that's a long ways from being an Olympian.

Sean O'Donnell, high-performance director for the Canadian Cycling Association, said Jutras is unique.

She is younger than Olympic teammates Susan Palmer-Komar, 37, and Lori-Ann Muenzer, 38, both but those women have been cycling for years.

"Most of our women have been involved in the sport for a long time now," said O'Donnell.

"To see her dedicate herself full time to cycling at the age of 32, and to see the success that she has had, is a testament to Manon, her ability and her dedication to the sport."

Giving up a regular paycheque to scrape by on an athlete's salary was a sacrifice, but one Jutras was willing to make.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime," she said.

"Money is something that can be there later. Not these dreams."

Even Jutras's friends questioned her sanity.

"They thought I was crazy," she laughed.

"Now they are all amazed."

Jutras entered the Canadian championships the year after the Sydney Games, finishing 10th in the time trial. Her result was good enough to be invited to ride for the Rona cycling team.

In 2001 she quit her job and moved to Victoria to train. Last February she joined the Denmark-based SATS team.

During this year's Canadian championships in Kamloops, B.C., Jutras earned a spot on the Olympic team by finishing second to Lyne Bessette in the road race. She also won the women's criterium race during the recent Tour de Gastown in Vancouver.

Team work will be essential during the road race at Athens. Jutras's role will be to set the pace and put Bessette or Palmer-Komar in position for a sprint to the finish.

"She's going to be our worker during the race," said O'Donnell.

"She's the one who will sacrifice herself in the early part of the race for the betterment of Lyne and Sue. She'll be setting the pace and trying to counter any moves that come from the countries."

Teams from Germany, Australia and the Netherlands are expected to battle for the medals but Jutras confidently predicts a Canadian can stand on the podium.

"I think we'll go to Athens very confident," she said.

"We are one of the top contenders. We have nothing to fear from the others."

For Jutras being an Olympian extends beyond wearing a track suit and marching in the opening ceremonies.

"For me it's about the honour of representing Canada and having the opportunity be a role model for our generation and the people of our country," she said.

"It's not about only a bicycle race. It's also about our values."

With one dream realized, Jutras has already set another goal.

The Winter Olympics.

"I'm looking probably for my next Olympics to be the Winter Games, in curling," she said with a devilish grin.

"I think I can peak at 45."

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