Marcussen takes aim at the Norwegian record | 03.08.2012
Speaking about her current form, the 25-year-old doesn’t waste time in expressing her satisfaction: “I’m better than ever, I’m in great shape.”
She and her coach, Luke Udelhoven, have good reason to be positive. Her 6073-point-performance at the European championships in Helsinki in June was her best heptathlon in four years, and has raised the expectation levels around the athlete from Kristiansand.
Ronny Nilsen, Director of Sports at the Norwegian Athletics Federation, explained the aims they have going into London: “We and Olympiatoppen [the organisation responsible for training Norwegian elite sport] believe that she has the potential to finish in the top 12 at the Games.
“We’re looking at 6300 points as a definite possibility, especially if she continues growing as she’s been doing in recent competitions.”
Of course, 6300 points would be a significant improvement on her own Norwegian record of 6226 that she set at the World championships in Osaka in 2007.
“It [beating the national record] really motivates me, it’s a target I have,” said Marcussen.
“I’m better than I was when I set it, and the whole of this season has been leading up to this moment. I’m going to attack it.”
However, bettering her Norwegian record isn’t the only aim that she has in mind: “I want to go out onto the track and enjoy every moment.
“When you do that, anything is possible.”
