The Olympic body: Heptathlete Louise Hazel

Keeping in shape: 'Heptathlon is a multi-skilled sport so I have to do all-round conditioning,' says Louise Hazel

10 April 2012

As our athletes prepare for the Games, Marie Winckler kicks off a series of articles highlighting what makes them tick. Here she speaks to Heptathlete Louise Hazel

Heptathlete Louise Hazel

Age:

From:

Southwark

Weight:

57kg

Height:

1m 67cm

Motto:

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!" Mark Twain.

Medals:

Gold at the Commonwealth Games, 2010.

Training:

Twice a day, 10am-12.30pm technical sessions, 4pm-6.30pm hard work, five hours in total, six days a week.

"In the morning I would do long jump for example, and in the afternoon I would run or do weights. At the gym I work on strength and power. I do weightlifting and conditioning. I'm a lightweight so I work also on my speed and my jumping abilities. Heptathlon is a multi-skilled sport so I have to do all-round conditioning."

Diet and food: "My philosophy is to do everything in moderation. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, and quite a high protein diet too. I do not eat a lot of bread and cheese because they are too heavy."

Drinks: "Recovery protein shakes after heavy sessions. They help me to be in tip-top shape."

Treats? "I'm more salty than sugary, and if I had to treat myself I would go out for dinner and have a steak. My guilty pleasure is chips."

Beauty: "I'm a bit of a fashionista. I love to take care of myself."

Hair: "I have Afro-Caribbean type hair and when it's hot it becomes all frizzy.
I straighten it as much as I can. And for the competitions I try to flatten it so it stays out of my face."

Make-up: "I put on more make-up than I used to and I put some on when I'm on the track. I also use spray tan. I'm a bit of a girly girl, really."

Manicure-pedicure: "I paint my nails once a week."

Shaving: "We do something called 'the big shave' - you shave everything three days before the competition and then the night before so it's nice and smooth. As for the eyebrows, I thread my own."

Products: "I love body cream and everything that moisturises and hydrates especially Oil of Olay and Mercier Fantastic Primer."

Spa treatments: "We have massages when we train, but they are a bit painful. So when I get a rest week I like to pamper myself - my favourite is a chocolate body bath."

Bad habit: "Shopping - I'm a big fan of shoes especially Christian Louboutin."
Favourite body parts: "My abdominals. I love my stomach."

Least favourite: "My hair is my nightmare."

Sex and the Olympics: "I'm sure there will be plenty of fun going on. It's a chance for the athletes to meet people who have the same passion and hard training rhythm. Some of them do find love. And it's also a big party. After the Games I'm sure the after-party will go on for days. I'll probably take some holiday."

Any other sport: "I just had my first golf class. And I'm hoping that after the Olympics I could make the transition."

Passion: "I love speed. I am very girlie but I love big engines and power. I just bought myself a new car: a Jaguar XFS."

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The Olympic body: Heptathlete Louise Hazel

Heptathlete Louise Hazel

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