15 Facts About Natasha Hansen

Natasha Hansen was born on 15 November 1989 and is a New Zealand track cyclist who has represented her country at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Natasha Hansen was born in 1989 in Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore and is of Samoan descent.

Natasha Hansen grew up in Canterbury and played netball and was in the Canterbury Flames wider squad, including trials at the national secondary level.

Natasha Hansen moved back to New Zealand in the following year and moved to Invercargill to train at the ILT Velodrome, then the base of the New Zealand cycling team.

Natasha Hansen's preparation was distracted by her best friend dying of cancer, and Hansen returned to New Zealand in July 2012 for the funeral.

Natasha Hansen came 12th in the sprint and 11th in the Keirin.

Natasha Hansen took 2013 off from competitive cycling and looked for another opportunity to keep herself fit.

Natasha Hansen took up boxing to train for a charity event in Christchurch.

Natasha Hansen competed in 'Fight for Christchurch 2013' in November, raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House South Island.

Natasha Hansen regained her motivation for track cycling and moved to Cambridge on 1 January 2015; the national team had relocated to the Avantidrome when it officially opened in April 2014.

Natasha Hansen teamed up with Katie Schofield for the team sprint and came fourth at a World Cup meeting in Cali, Colombia, in January 2015.

Natasha Hansen was competing with Schofield and Stephanie McKenzie for selection for the 2016 Rio Olympics when she came fifth in the individual sprint in March 2016 at the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London, and this performance secured her place at her second Olympics.

Natasha Hansen was confirmed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee as part of the first track cyclists chosen for Rio on 7 April 2016.

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Natasha Hansen won the silver medal in the individual sprint and bronze in the keirin, and was part of the New Zealand team that won silver in the team sprint.

Outside of sport, Natasha Hansen is a licensed air traffic controller.