Olympic champion Toby Roberts looks forward to competing in Prague World Cup

At only ten years of age, you red-pointed Raindogs at Malham Cove. How was your youth? Can you describe your early climbing experiences?

Every since I found climbing I just fell in love with the sport. My early climbing experiences were just trying to climb whenever I could around school - I used to love the holidays because it meant I could spend more time climbing. Raindogs became an early goal and I was so psyched when I sent at the end of a week in Malham.

Your dad is your coach. Does this make your relationship harder or easier? Can you describe the dynamic between the two of you?

Both - it makes some bits easier and some bits harder but I think that is more defined by the training. Sometimes training is just really hard and this obviously impacts on how you're feeling. I think its probably the same as a lot of relationships.

However there is so much trust there that it makes a lot of things easier. I know he always just wants the absolute best for me and always has my back - so that often makes things a lot easier. 

You are really active as a vlogger. How important is it these days to engage in these types of activities for your brand? Do you enjoy it?

The main thing is to enjoy it. I like doing it just from a climbing perspective and I also find it useful to have a lot of footage of my climbing. I don't know if its important yet because honestly we've been so focused on the Olympics we've not even thought about it. 

I was only doing it for myself and the important thing for me was for it to be genuine and honest. It hopefully shows a little of what goes in to competing and climbing at a high level.

You are a big fan of Formula 1. Have you ever been to a race in person, and who do you support?

I'm a massive F1 fan. I've always been a fan of Red Bull so I've followed Max Verstappen a lot. I then recently joined the Red Bull team and was presented with my Red Bull cap at the Silverstone Grand Prix so my first ever race was a really memorable one. I definitely hope to go to a lot more races!

In Czechia, football is one of the most popular sports that we have in common with Great Britain. Do you know any Czech football players, and which club do you support?

I love watching football and have been to a few matches - but I've been so focused on climbing that I don't follow it as much as I would like. I know Tomas Rosicky as I've followed Arsenal and he used to play for them.

 The Czech star Adam Ondra is one of the biggest personalities in sport climbing. What is your relationship with him? Do you have a favorite memory involving him?

I'm a massive fan of his climbing and everything he has achieved, and now I've also been able to compete against him. Initially that felt surreal but now it feels more normal. What he's achieved over the years has been incredible. As well as the competitions he's won the number of first ascents, new grades and outdoor routes he's climbed is incredible. My favourite memory is probably going to my local climbing centre when I was younger to meet him when he was visiting (photo!).

You competed in the Olympics for the first time this year and won a gold medal. How was the competition in Paris?

I loved everything about Paris. I had no real idea what to expect once I’d qualified and I always approached the Olympics as another climbing competition - but one that I’d trained specifically for. I think in terms of achieving a goal that I’d been working towards it meant everything to qualify and compete. The scale of the Olympics was huge and there were so many unique experiences that were shared across so many different athletes and sports. The Olympics and Team GB were incredible to be part of and I’m just incredibly proud to have taken part. There are so many unique and positive experiences condensed into such a small space of time. I think it means my lasting memory is all of it from start to finish.

Do you feel like winning the Olympic gold has changed your life in any way? If so, could you describe how?

I think it has - but it also hasn't changed anything for me. There are suddenly lots of things going on - but I'm just really focused on training and competing. I think winning Gold will be something I look back on and it would have been a defining moment in my life - but right now I'm definitely just focused on whats next.

Last year, you competed in Prague and didn’t qualify for the finals. This year, you are one of the favorites. How have you improved the most since then?

 I'm not sure I'm one of the favourites - there are so many incredibly strong boulderers and its always really hard to make any final. I wasn't disappointed with last years performance. Since then I've had one of the hardest years of training in my life. I'd like to think I can use my experience well and can hopefully climb well in Prague. I'm not too worried about the result - I want to focus on enjoying the comp and when I enjoy things I normally climb my best.

How do you like Czechia and Prague?

This will be my 3rd visit as I've been to a European Cup and last years World Cup and I definitely love it in Prague. The competitions have been great with incredible crowds and a great atmosphere. Last year I had a little more time and got to explore the city which is incredible and I can't wait to get back.