Gesa Krause, the indomitable force in the 3000-meter steeplechase, stands at the pinnacle of her career with two European titles, dual World Championship bronze medals, and a national record.
Recently securing silver at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, just a year post giving birth to her daughter, Krause’s triumphant return sets the stage for her fourth Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
Gesa, you recently won the silver medal at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Congratulations! What does this success mean to you?
The European Athletics Championships were hugely important for me on my way to the Olympic Games. I became a mom about a year ago.
Since then, I’ve been training for my comeback and working to reclaim my place on the international stage.
Winning a medal at the European Athletics Championships was my big goal – also to show: “I’m back! I’m a force to be reckoned with.” So, it was a nice success for me.
You’ll soon be heading to Paris for the Olympic Games. How are you preparing for this?
An intensive training phase is starting for me now, meaning the immediate preparation for the competition. I’m currently training at altitude in the Alps, first in Italy and then in Switzerland.
I’m far away from all the hustle and bustle and can prepare in peace. During this time, it’s all about optimally developing my physiological values to reach my best form before the Games.
In addition to training, I have two competitions coming up: I’m competing in the German Championships at the end of June and afterwards I’m running in the Meeting de Paris, one of the most important competitions for us track and field athletes.
So, I still have two races ahead of me to see where I stand with my performance. I will then travel to Paris at the beginning of August for the first competition of the Olympic Games.
Why did you decide to join Team Allianz and what do you gain from this partnership?
Gesa has been a Team Allianz athlete since September 1, 2023.
Allianz approached me when it was already known that I was going to be a mother. It was a very critical time for me.
I didn’t know whether sponsors would take the risk and stay with me. Allianz approached me at exactly this time and believed in me – that means a lot to me.
The sponsorship supports me in realizing my dream of reaching the Olympic Games and being successful there.
This goal naturally connects me with Allianz as a partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
I also work with Allianz on various campaigns. I’m always happy when I see the results of our shoots or photo shoots. It’s a very nice partnership that creates a win-win situation for both sides.
Is your preparation for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 different from your previous preparations for competitions?
The body always needs new stimuli to get better. I’m not doing the same things as I did in my last Olympic Games preparations, but it’s not as if I’ve changed everything.
One new thing, for example, is that I’m now working with a nutritionist. Some days I train very hard and intensively, but of course I also have days when it’s more relaxed – I adapt my diet to the training accordingly.
I also have less recovery time now, as I’m also looking after my daughter. I can no longer simply rest for a few hours during the day. I must adapt my training plan accordingly.
How do you manage to balance your family and sport during these intensive training phases?
Back then, we set ourselves the goal as a family that I would be able to continue with the sport when I became a mother.
On average, I train twice a day. During this time, my partner looks after the little one, although he also works full-time. We are also supported by the two grandparents.
This requires a lot of coordination, planning and flexibility. The training camps are also a big challenge. It was clear to me that I didn’t want to be away from my daughter for several weeks.
That’s why we take Lola with us – last year we went to South Africa and Kenya twice. Even now, in preparation for the Olympics, our daughter is with us at the training camp.
Depending on the situation, my partner or another family member travels with us and looks after the little one while I train. It’s challenging, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our whole family.
How do you motivate yourself and manage to stay consistent?
Having a training plan and sticking to these routines helps me the most. Milestones are also important: for example, running a longer distance or achieving a best new time.
But especially on days when I’m not doing so well, the big, overarching goal is the decisive factor. The reason why you train and push yourself every day.
For me personally, this year it’s of course the European Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Having my family with me at the training camps is fantastic and motivates me even more.
How do you rate your chances at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and what are you hoping for?
We are running two competitions in Paris, first the qualification and then the final. The first obstacle is to make it to the final in the first place.
I’ve managed that three times in my career so far. I hope to make it this time too. To secure a place in the final, I must achieve my personal best in the qualification on August 4th.
If I make it to the final, I want to finish in the top 8 and fight my way up from there. That is my big dream.