“I have to say, well, let’s wait and see,” Coates said. “You know, of course I’m going to do my best. But because we don’t know what to expect. I’ll do my utmost to do my best, and of course I’m very competitive, but you just never know.

“I’m just so grateful that I’ve made it back this year because every year you are against new people.”

Because of Covid-19 travel restrictions in Hong Kong, Coates moved to Dubai for five months last year so she could train and travel. It brought it’s own kind of pressure, because she needed to match the sacrifice she made with her final performance.

This year her preparation has been different, and the increased expectation has led to a switch in focus to the process rather than the outcome.

While being at home has its advantages, it also means balancing work and family commitments, rather than focusing solely on training.

“There was just myself to focus on last year,” Coates said. “Of course, there were things going on at home that I was very connected to, but being away from it, there was that distance, so you could only do so much.

“But of course, being here now, it changes everything. There’s the ups and the downs. Sometimes obviously days or weeks are harder than others.”

An added pressure is financial. Coates, who works as a hair stylist, is paying her own way to Madison, and the fact there is no direct flight to Chicago from Hong Kong is just one of the added expenses she is dealing with.

She found it notable last year that most of competitors were from the US, and could drive to the Games.

“For myself, my coach, being self-funded, there’s obviously the time away from work,” Coates said.

The need to find some corporate backing aside, Coates is focused on using her experience from last year to boost her chances of going one better.

“Knowing the outlay, what to expect, what happens throughout the day, how it’s all run. It just gives you that little bit me a bit more confidence,” Coates said.