Jessica Ennis Interview
We met up with London 2012 Olympic Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis to talk all things sport, beauty and fashion over a manicure…
PA PhotosQ: You must have imagined crossing that line a million times: did it feel how you expected it would?
A: I kind of didn’t want to let myself think about that moment too much in the lead up, because I didn’t want to think about winning and finishing. I just wanted to stay focused on individual events at a time but then obviously when it go to that point and I crossed the line it was the most amazing feeling in the world, completing a heptathlon and finishing is a great feeling anyway, but to complete it and to have won and in London was just more than I could ever imagine really.
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Getty ImagesQ: Were you aware of that crowd, that last lap was amazing in there, were you aware of everyone cheering you on?
A: Yeh I really was, sometimes when you compete you are in zone or a bit of a tunnel and you don’t hear the crowd as much, definitely on the last lap, the last 200/300m I really heard the crowd go crazy, especially that last 50m were so loud, such an amazing feeling. It definitely helped me and carried me on.
Rex FeaturesQ: How have you been dealing with the aftermath, all the press attention and fan messages?
A: It’s been weird because it’s just gone to a whole new level now, but it has been brilliant. I have had the opportunity to do lots of fun things and meet people I perhaps wouldn’t have met before and so many nice messages on twitter and cards that have been put through my door from kids who live close to me. They made me loads of cards, and flowers, it’s been such an amazing last couple of weeks and getting home and seeing everyone.
PA PhotosQ: There was so much hype leading up to London 2012, do you think it lived up to it and did you enjoy the whole experience of it?
A: There has been a massive build-up, not just this year but the last few years, all that everyone wanted to speak to you about was London 2012 and how you were coping with the pressure. But no it’s completely exceeded all expectations, I couldn’t have wished for it to go better than it did, it was just unbelievable. All I could think in the lead up was I want to get there and I want to win, I never imagined it would come true and for it to be the way it was with the crowd.
PA PhotosQ: Apart from the sport and competing, what opportunities has London 2012 given you?
A: It allowed me to step into a different kind of world outside of track and field; I had the opportunity to meet people I wouldn’t normally meet. I met Jamie Oliver in the Olympic Park, a different world I stepped into. It’s been really good fun, obviously the lead up to the Olympics there were lots of opportunities then but I was too busy training and making sure I didn’t miss anything. I had to make sure I was in the best position going into the games, so I had to say no to a lot of things, but now I can enjoy everything and meet lots of people.
PA PhotosQ: How did you deal with the stress and the pressure in the build up to the games, especially between the two days?
A: Obviously on the competing side of it I had never experienced pressure in that way, but obviously in the heptathlon you have the night in between. Normally I sleep quite well because I have competed the whole day and am really tired but in London I literally couldn’t switch off. I was in my apartment with all the girls and got into bed but I kept tossing and turning and I couldn’t switch off. I think that was just of having a first great day and worrying what the second day was going to bring, but I eventually got to sleep and woke up refreshed the next day.
PA PhotosQ: In the past seven days, I’ve received more press releases about your abs than anything else: do you think the Olympics give women a healthier body image?
A: I definitely think so, having the Olympics at home has given us the opportunity to showcase sport and athletic figures more than we ever have in the past. A lot more sports women are on the cover of fashion magazines and beauty magazines, put into a different field so they have different role models and I think it’s really good as it is another image and it’s a healthy positive body image.
PA PhotosQ: How CAN we get your abs?
Well… I train six days a week mostly twice a day, a lot of training, I do a lot of running, and I obviously do ab circuits in the gym. I think a lot of things you can do if you are at home or in the gym, having the big fit balls and doing core stability exercises and different strength exercise. Running is a massive thing - that does tone up your stomach a lot.
PA PhotosQ: What does your beauty regime consist of? Are you a beauty buff?
Normally when I am competing it is something quite simple, that allows me to feel comfortable and is quick and easy, so I’m a simple cleansing moisturising girl. The Olay Essentials products are great for me because they are light and no fuss. Now I have a bit of time off I enjoy pampering and some spa treatments which I don’t normally get to do in the season.
Rex FeaturesQ: You’re used to being pictured make-up free – how do you think women can get the confidence to step out with a more natural look?
A: I have to admit I do wear a bit of make-up when I compete, at the beginning of the competition I always wore a bit of make-up as that is how I felt confident, but by the end of the competition I have sweated it all off! No, I think its downs to the individual and if you feel comfortable with a little bit on then that is what you should do. But equally feel comfortable and confident in a natural look
Getty ImagesQ: Just after the games you were pictured wearing that stunning McQueen dress, how does it feel getting to wear pieces like that? Are you interested in fashion?
A: It is a massive honour, the McQueen dresses are gorgeous and I love wearing that dress to an event after I had finished competing. It is really nice because I am training all the time and I am in kit most of the time at home and competing, now I can enjoy wearing a dress and glamming up a bit. I love all the designers especially some of the British designers, it is great to have the opportunity to wear dresses like that.
Rex FeaturesQ: You were the face of London 2012 and now you’re a role model for thousands of young women: how does that feel?
A: It feels amazing to be honest, it was such a big build-up and I did worry a bit, all the pressure and expectation put on me, whether I was going to achieve what I wanted to achieve. Anything but a gold medal would have been viewed as a failure, to have gone to London and performed the way I wanted to and come away with a gold medal is a really brilliant feeling. Hopefully now younger kids and other people are inspired to get into sport. Not just from myself but from the performances from the whole team.
Rex FeaturesQ: So what is up next for you?
I am going to go have a holiday and a break, enjoying this moment for as long as possible and then I will be back into training for the World Championships.
Jessica Ennis is the face of Olay Essentials
