uni'alumni 2012_ENG

Early in the morning she takes the train to Freiburg, goes to lecture courses and seminars from eight until twelve, and then it’s back to Offenburg for several hours of training in the weight room or at the stadium – plus training camp, appointments with sponsors, inter- national competitions: “Unfortunately, I was never able to enjoy a typical stu- dent life,” says Christina Obergföll. In 2002 she began a course of study in sports science and English at the Uni- versity of Freiburg, initially in the teacher education program, later in the bache- lor’s program “Promotion of Health through Exercise,” which she completed in winter semester 2009/10. However, she always went home to Offenburg to train after classes. And ever since win- ning the silver medal in the javelin throw at the 2005 world championships with the then European record of 70.03 meters, she has numbered among the best ­javelin throwers in the world. A course of study and top-level com- petitive sports? “It’s possible, but it takes longer to complete your studies, you have more stress, and you need better time management,” says the athlete. On the other hand, she maintains that she profited from both the theoretical content, for instance on anatomy, as well as the practical skills in areas such as coordina- tion and motor skills included in her ­degree program. Obergföll discovered her talent for heptathlon as a teenager. Since she began specializing in the javelin throw in 1997, she has concentrated on perfecting the necessary sequence of movements for this discipline, which ­requires power, speed, and precision. “There are a lot of areas in which I can ­refine my skills and improve myself even more. It never gets boring,” reports the 30-year-old, who won the IAAF Diamond League in her discipline in 2011 – the title for the athlete with the best performance over the entire season. Next Stop: The 2012 Summer Olympics In addition to concentrating on her athletic career, Obergföll is preparing for her career after her retirement from competitive sports. She is enrolled in a master’s program at a distance univer- sity on “Prevention and Health Manage- ment” with a specialization in sports ­nutrition and weight management. “I find it terribly interesting. I can see my- self working as a nutritionist in the ­future.” She also plans to start a family with her partner Boris Henry, the Ger- man men’s national javelin throw trainer. But first Christina Obergföll still has one more goal as an athlete: Olympic gold. After all, an athlete’s legacy is based on her performance at the big tournaments. “I ask myself why I haven’t been able to win the gold medal yet, although I was always one of the top contenders. But I know what I’m capable of.” What comes after the 2012 Olympic Games in Lon- don is open. “If I win a medal there, am still having fun, and can still live from the sport, I’ll keep on throwing.” Maybe even until the next Olympics in 2016. Nicolas Scherger HER BIGGEST TRIUMPHS 2010 Silver at the European Championships 2008 Bronze at the Olympic Games 2007 Silver at the World Championships European record and personal best mark (70.20 meters) 2005 Silver at the World Championships ­European record (70.03 meters) “Javelin Throwing instead of Partying” Christina Obergföll Has Established Herself among the World’s Best Track and Field Athletes – and Completed a Degree in Freiburg along the Way Kraft, Schnelligkeit und Präzision: Christina Obergföll ist eine von vier Athletinnen, die den Speer weiter als 70 Meter geworfen haben. Photo: private PortrAit 21