PARIS (Nettavisen): When pole vaulter Sondre Guttormsen decided to study, he chose Princeton University in New Jersey, USA. The school is referred to as a so-called “Ivy League” school, similar to Harvard and Yale.
The universities have sky-high grade averages and are considered among the best in the world.
Guttormsen graduated in 2023 but did not just take home a diploma from his time in the States. The athlete also found love during his stay in the USA.
– We met at Princeton, she still studies there. We met at an early summer party, a concert event. We gradually got to know each other more and more; it’s been almost two years since we met, he tells Nettavisen.
See also: Received rule notification from the association, but it didn’t apply to everyone: – It’s special
Long-Distance Relationship
Guttormsen advanced from the pole vault qualifying round at the Olympics in Paris on Saturday morning. In the stands was his girlfriend Katherine, whom he hasn’t seen since May. She traveled far to see the 25-year-old represent Norway in the prestigious championship.
– I haven’t been able to travel there while preparing for the Olympics, but it has been going very well; we FaceTime a lot. The time difference is probably the worst part.
Guttormsen shares that his girlfriend is studying to become a lawyer and that she will come home to Norway for the first time after the championship in Paris.
See also: Athletics schedule for the Olympics in Paris 2024
Leading up to the games in the French capital, she has been an important support for the pole vaulter.
– We talk about it all the time, about how she can help me and be a good distraction when needed. She is awake much longer than I am when I am here in Europe, but when it’s ten o’clock, it’s bedtime for me, and we call to say goodnight.
Injury Troubles During Preparation
In addition to the 25-year-old himself, younger brother Simen Guttormsen and Pål Haugen Lillefosse will also compete for Norway in the same event in Paris.
See also: Duplantis faces Warholm in a 100 meter duel
He himself has reached finals in several championships in the past and holds the Norwegian record in pole vaulting. However, the preparations for the Olympics have been somewhat challenging.
– First and foremost, my goal is to do better than in the last Olympics; my main goal is to reach the finals. I have competed little this year due to some injuries during preparation, but I have had some good training in the last months. But reaching the finals is the main goal.
Guttormsen will compete in the pole vault final on Monday night.