Two weeks ago, the biathlete from Rogne took part in the Øystre Slidre Norgescup – which for the first time gave her a place in the IBU Cup the following weekend. On Monday, the message that she previously only dreamed of came: the 25-year-old is ready for the World Cup in Hochfilzen after Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold decided to stop after challenges with heart rhythm disorders. – I was a bit shocked that I was going to compete in the IBU Cup at Geilo, and then it was an extra shock to be competing here, Marit Øygard tells news. BACK: Despite a lot of adversity, Marit Øygard is ready to test herself against the best in the world. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / news The road to the top level has been both short and long at the same time. Øygard has been involved in biathlon since an early age, but already in 2019 his career could be over. She suffered a blood clot in her left leg. – Getting a blood clot is not exactly a top athlete’s dream, so I try to focus on it as little as possible, because there is nothing to do about it. That was the fate I was handed, and so I have to try to work around it, explains the biathlete. Was advised to give up Dad Ottar Øygard says that it was the mother, who is a doctor, who found out about the pain her daughter had been feeling for several weeks. – It was the night of Christmas Day, and we went straight to hospital the next day and had an X-ray. It turned out that there was a blood clot from the calf up to the pelvis, says Ottar Øygard. She received close follow-up, and the 25-year-old says that several experts thought it was too difficult to combine blood clots with a top sports career. – But I’m a bit stubborn, so when someone says that you must at least not do it, I think that I should at least do it, admits Øygard. ON THE SIDELINE: Marit Øygard also took part in races when she hobbled around on crutches. Photo: Private – I understand that it may not be compatible to have defective blood vessels when doing endurance sports, but I just tried and it went well. As long as I have energy and am in good shape, I just have to bite the bullet and go as fast as I can, she adds. Because of the blood clot, it has taken a long time to find out what works best for her in terms of exercise. She can still get more lactic acid in the left foot than the right, and therefore, for example, takes it harder where there is easy terrain, and saves some effort on the downhills. – That’s how it’s always going to be, so I just have to learn to deal with it, says Øygard. Got facial paralysis But not long after the blood clot, more challenges appeared for the biathlon talent. For an unknown reason, she suddenly suffered facial paralysis. – There was a lot of in and out of hospital for a while there. And then it was like that the left side of my face stopped working, and I had to drink through a straw and such, but that didn’t really affect me very much in sports, it was just uncomfortable, she explains. TALENT: Marit Øygard during the opening chutes at Sjusjøen in 2018. Photo: NTB Now, several years later, Øygard feels that she learned a lot from all the adversity. That it has made her stronger. – It has probably meant that I have found a plan B in this life. And a little more calm about it. If you don’t succeed in biathlon, that’s okay too. It means that I am able to enjoy the sport a little more and it is not so scary to stand on the starting line, says Øygard. – What is plan B, then? – Hopefully, I will get to medical school, but that is easier said than done, that too, so I am slowly but surely working towards that goal. TALENT: The entire Øygard family are skiing and biathlon enthusiasts. Here Marit stands on top of the podium in 2013. Photo: Privat Not on a team – training alone Finally, at least the sport is on track. This despite the fact that she does not join a team and mostly trains alone. – I think it’s really cool that Marit decides to venture out on her own this year, and then she gets on so well after a short time. I know that she has had a lot of trouble with various things, so I wish Marit all the best this season, says Juni Arnekleiv, who previously played with Øygard on the junior team. TEAM FRIENDS: Karoline Knotten (tv) and Juni Arnekleiv during training in Hochfilzen. Photo: Hanne Skjellum / news Karoline Knotten also knows Øygard from before. – It’s impressive, and a cool example of how you can go from the Norwegian Cup to the IBU Cup and then straight to the World Cup. Then you have the ability to perform when it matters and use the opportunities you get, praises Knotten. – Those of us who are closest to her are not too surprised that she has this level, but we think it has gone very quickly now, dad Øygard admits. Since she has never competed at the top level, she finds it difficult to say how it will go. But at least she doesn’t want to be called Tandrevold’s replacement. – I don’t want to wear that. I hope no one expects that anyway. I will go as fast as I can and shoot as well as I can, and then I will enjoy myself and try to enjoy the condition, says Øygard with a laugh. Join us in prepping the steep World Cup hill 01:35 Practiced victory grips in the dark: – I had my headlamp with me 00:54 Refused to shake the opponent’s hand after this: – Childish and hopeless 00:50 Ola Lunde has never seen this before : – Very special 00:51 Show more Published 12.12.2024, at 19.52
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