Vogue, Jonathan Ross, nail varnish and some heptathlon chat thrown in for good measure. Just a standard catch up with Commonwealth heptathlon champion Louise Hazel then.
The 26-year-old opens her heptathlon campaign in Kladno this weekend. Ahead of her jetting off to the Czech Republic we spoke about how Games prep is going and how she feels about those ‘fat’ comments.
I see via Twitter (@LouiseHazel) it’s a ‘GTP’ (Gym, Tan, Pain) day today - what stage are you at now?
We’re at S, shopping! I’ve just come from the physio, that was the pain part, and I’ve had to pop to the shops. It’s been a busy day as always!
So that’s today’s agenda, but in terms of preparations on a wider scale - how’s everything going?
I’ve been really fortunate, I’ve only really suffered a few little niggles here and there over the winter season so nothing of any major significance. I’ve been warm weather training in Portugal for two weeks and almost feel like I’ve got to dust all the cobwebs off now and focus on my first heptathlon this weekend. I’m looking to just take my time out there, get through the seven events in one piece and just look forward to London 2012. I have the ‘A’ standard already now, so peaking for London is my aim for the year. I’d like to go out next weekend and put out a solid mark on where I’m at.
Qualifying last year must have taken a huge weight off your mind?
Massively. It means I’m not going into my first heptathlon under pressure and I can look forward to competing at the Olympics. It’s a challenge but important not to get caught up in the hype and to focus on yourself at this point. That’s what I’m doing.
Which events have you been putting the most work into?
The high jump and the shot put, sometimes they’re the events in which I can become a bit unstuck. But I’m hoping to iron out all of the creases before we get to London. It might be quite a bumpy road but I’m very confident that I’ll get there come the day.
Since 2008 you’ve had your fair share of ups and downs. Has London remained your focus?
Yes definitely. I lost my Lottery funding back in 2008 and I’d been funded for about four years prior to that point. During that time I also had the support of my parents and a university scholarship. It wasn’t until 2008 when those things were no longer there that I realised I’d taken it all for granted. I no longer have my parents to rely on, as my dad passed away, and it was at that point that it really hit home and I thought ok, I am literally on a journey on my own.
Losing my Lottery funding again this year was not what was needed for me to put my mind at ease and focus on my training. It’s been a financial struggle and I never assumed that it would be this difficult given that the Olympics are coming to home turf. I always assumed that we’d have the support in place and if anything we would be given more instead of less and that’s not the case. By no means am I complaining, I’ve had to work extremely hard which has been a real challenge, but in the same sense it’s been a test of my character and the reality of me reaching the London 2012 Games is a testament to all the hard work I’ve put together. I’m very grateful to everyone who’s helped support me along the way, Lottery funding included.
You achieved your first senior international win with a PB score at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Do you think that experience has helped prepare you for later this year?
Definitely. The main thing to me was just being in a village environment because that was something I’d never experienced before Delhi. I remember arriving and the first few days feeling very overwhelmed. Suddenly it’s not just athletics, it’s a multi-sport environment, and you can feel quite small. I just thought I’m ready, and that’s all that matters. I’ll have the same approach come London. There’s talk of people getting star struck in the Games Village and stuff like that - well, I’ve met Jonathan Ross now [Louise appeared on the Jonathon Ross show earlier this year], so that’s not going to happen! You know, we can safely say that one is under control. You’ve got to make sure you’re there mentally and that’s what I’ll be aiming to do.
Speaking of celebrities - you’ve done photoshoots for Harper’s Bazaar, GQ and Vogue recently and also had numerous TV appearances - is that side of your career important to you?
Yes, I’ve always seen myself as being extremely ambitious. Athletics was my talent so in my mind I was always going to be a sportswoman, I just didn’t know which sport it was going to be in. I’m literally living my dream at the moment, this is exactly what I wanted to do when I was a youngster. I very much enjoy the photoshoots and the glamorous side of things because I’m not just an athlete, I like to see this as being my first life and my first love, but I’m also looking forward to the years that come afterwards. It’s going to give me a new lease of life and one that I haven’t been able to experience before because of all the sacrifices I’ve had to make for my sport. I guess that patience will eventually pay off.
There are downsides of being in the limelight too though, as you found out recently with those ‘fat’ comments? [Louise and fellow heptathlete Jess Ennis have been criticised for being ‘fat’ by a ‘high-ranking person’ at UK Athletics]
Yes, you’re right. My take on the whole topic is that at the end of the day, as an elite sportswoman you have a responsibility, and the moment you don’t talk up about those things is the point at which you say actually it’s ok to make those comments and I don’t believe it is. That’s why I defended myself in that situation.
Back to the Games - who have you got your eye on in terms of your competition?
Well there are a couple of girls who have obviously made massive improvements this year in and around Europe but it’s tough because you never know what’s going to happen on the day.
You’ve spoken about the Olympics dominating your every thought, even down to considering what nail varnish you’ll be wearing. So, of course we have to ask, what colour is it to be?
You know what… it’s going to be nude! Sounds boring, but I’m not going for Olympic nails. I’ll probably have nude on my fingernails and coral on my toes!
Gets a thumbs up from us! But on a more serious note, what is going through your mind, day in day out?
Just that I need to stay in one piece and, more importantly, in a positive frame of mind. I’m trying not to get too distracted at the moment with the hype of the Olympic Games because this is the reality, this is the thing we’ve been building up to for six years. I just know that I’ve got to stay positive irrespective of what happens in the build up if I’m going to perform on the day.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: John Ord Photography
