By Imogen Crispe
New Zealand heptathlete Sarah Cowley is competing in her first heats tonight.
Cowley, 28, has been waiting 20 years to go to the Olympics and hopes to make it count.
She told 3 News that she can’t wait to compete on “the world’s greatest stage”.
“I’m excited, I’ve waited a long time for this moment and it’s finally here.”
But she is nervous about one thing.
“Making sure I stay in the moment.”
And she knows she will have to work hard in her heats.
“I have some very strong competitors in my field.”
Heptathlon is a multi-disciplinary sport with heats taking two days. It includes 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m run, long jump, javelin throw and 800m run.
Up until recently Cowley has been training in Cardiff, Wales with other members of the New Zealand athletics team.
She is now at the Olympic Village in London and says it is great.
“The New Zealand support team has done an amazing job creating a very kiwi environment.”
She also has a host of supporters in London, including family and friends from New Zealand, Australia as well as the UK.
Cowley grew up in Rotorua and is a trained physiotherapist.
She started an intense training schedule in September last year, and over the past few months has been competing in heptathlon events in Europe.
Cowley began doing heptathlons in 2005, after having done athletics throughout high school. She represented New Zealand in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006.
It was announced less than a month ago that she was officially going to the London Olympics.
Cowley’s heats tonight are at 9.11pm, 10.15pm and 6am NZT.
3 News