Izabella Olofsson from Johannishus, Sweden, recently won her first JSM gold medal in hurdles. The 20-year-old athlete had previously earned bronze and silver in the event, and last summer she came within one-hundredth of a second of winning gold. A week before her JSM victory, she took bronze in Senior-SM, marking the first senior medal for her club in 13 years.
Olofsson started hurdles at age 12, initially combining it with pole vault, long jump, and high jump. She says she was drawn to hurdles because she enjoys constant action and the challenge it presents. Her current goals include competing in Finnkampen this summer and aiming for gold at the U23 European Championships in Poland next year.
she enjoys constant action and the challenge it presents
To qualify for Finnkampen, she needs to be among the top three in Sweden, which she believes is possible based on her indoor season performance.
she believes is possible based on her indoor season performance