Caroline Ehrhardt, Espanola champion triple jumper, heads to Olympic trials in Edmonton
"It's been really, really, hard," says Ehrhardt of life after university athletics
Caroline Ehrhardt has had a tough year — but the champion triple jumper from Espanola, Ont., is off to the Olympic trials in Edmonton, Alta., this week with her resolve steeled.
Ehrhardt, 24, said she'd love to make the cut for Rio 2016 — but realistically, she's now eyeing a spot on Team Canada for Tokyo 2020, and hoping to regain her Canadian track and field title.
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"I guess I was a little bit naive," she said of life as an athlete after university.
For the first time, Ehrhardt — who is now based in London, Ont. — is trying to compete in her field with no financial support from the government of any kind.
I know there's more in the tank for sure.-Caroline Ehrhardt
She's been working full-time to support her Olympic dream.
"It's been really, really, hard," she said. "Just in terms of trying to get to training camps, and trying to get to high-calibre meets, it's nearly impossible [to pay for them]."
But despite long hours, physical injuries and some "mental things", Ehrhardt said last week she jumped a personal best of 13 m 29 cm. "It's exciting, 'cause I know there's more in the tank for sure."
There will have to be: the Olympic triple jump qualifying standard is 14 m 15 cm.
"I won't lie, 90 per cent of the time it feels impossibly far," she said. "But that 10 per cent of the time when I feel like, 'Okay, like maybe I can do this,' it's so worth it."
"If I've learned anything, it's that regardless of whether I make it to the Olympics or not, I'm not going to regret trying."
Listen to the complete interview with triple-jumper Caroline Ehrhardt here.
