"My dream has always been to stand at the top of the podium," once said the British Jessica Ennis-Hill. Her dream came true. She also stood at the highest place at the Olympic Games on her home soil, in London in 2012, and in Rio she will try to defend the Olympic title in the heptathlon. In the meantime, today the 30-year-old athlete gave birth to a baby boy, and you can read below how the Omega brand ambassador thinks before going to the Rio 2016 Olympics.
British heptathlete and brand ambassador Omega Jessica Ennis-Hill she says that Rio 2016 will be less stressful for her than London 2012, when she felt extra pressure because of her home turf. But, as he says, he will be no less hungry for gold at the Olympic Games in the Brazilian capital.
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Interview - Jessica Ennis-Hill, heptathlete:
Four years ago you were the face of 2012. This time you are going to Rio. Is there less pressure because you're not competing in your home country?
The pressure is really a little less. London 2012 was undoubtedly an outstanding year for me, leading to fantastic things. The whole experience was awesome. I have certain expectations for myself this year. I'm happy with what I've achieved so far, but my goal for Rio is to go there and be the best I can be. She would be happy to retain her title from the previous Olympics. I want to compete and achieve the best possible result.
What do you expect from Rio de Janeiro itself?
I've only been to Rio once, so I couldn't experience the city. But I can't wait to see what the crowds are like. I believe it will be different from London, and I think the feeling will be extraordinary, like a carnival. The weather is supposed to be great and I expect the atmosphere to be as well.
What did you dream about as a young athlete, what motivated you?
I fell in love with athletics when I tried it for the first time. I loved running and participating in various disciplines. My dream has always been to stand on top of the podium. I always wanted to know what it would be like to win gold. Over the years, I learned about the different championships and levels you can reach, and the Olympics became my dream. I wanted to become an Olympian and stand on the podium as a winner.
Which running discipline within the heptathlon do you like the most and how do you focus on the time while running?
Without a doubt, my favorite is the obstacle course. It is one of the disciplines in which I am strongest and I really enjoy it. Time is extremely important in the 100m hurdles. In the heptathlon, you are focused on yourself and your performance, but I am always racing against the clock. I always compare my current time with previous times and strive to improve. Time is of the essence for me in the 100m hurdles.
Describe the moment you see an amazing time on the board.
At the Olympic Games in London, I was nervous and upset at the start line of the steeplechase. I only have a hazy memory of the match, it all happened so quickly. When I crossed the finish line, I immediately looked at my watch and saw the time. I was in shock. I couldn't believe that I managed to run so fast and it was an amazing feeling to start the Olympics with a huge victory.
You took a break in 2014 and returned in 2015 when you won the World Champion title. How did you get back in top shape so quickly?
There is no secret. After the birth of my son, it took me quite a few weeks to return to training. The support of the coach, physiotherapist, doctor and everyone around me was what guided me in the right direction. They made sure that I didn't rush the events, that I took the time to train and slowly and deliberately get back in shape. Then the support of my family allowed me to continue with the necessary training.
Would you say that the return was both physically and mentally demanding?
Undoubtedly. Your body is going through a tremendous physical change. I had to do a lot of different exercises to get back in top shape. Mentally, my life has changed incredibly. Now that I am a mother, I look at everything completely differently. The last year brought a lot of challenges, I had to learn a lot and it was difficult to find my place in sports again. But I couldn't wait to get back into competition and go to the World Championships, and winning in Beijing was really amazing.
What features do you value in a women's watch?
The selection of Omega watches (her favorite is the Ladymatic) is amazing and there is something for every occasion. I love the sophistication of the Ladymatic watch. It is a stunning watch, which the diamonds only emphasize. I would say that I am always looking for an elegant, sophisticated watch.
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