Genevieve LaCaze (born 4 August 1989) is an Australian athletics competitor who specialises in the 3000 metre steeplechase. She held an athletics scholarship at the University of Florida. She was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 Olympics in London and Atlhletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
When did you started with atletics and when decided you to choose for the steeple?
I began athletics when I was very young. I started doing cross-country at school and when I got to high school I tried the 800m, 1500m and 3000m. I was offered a scholarship to study and compete at the University of Florida. This is where I first began the 3000m steeplechase in 2009.
In 2016 you was finalist in the Olympic final in Rio de Janeiro. Can you discribe your race of the 3000 steeplechase?
I was very excited to make the final in the steeplechase. It was a fast race and I tried to stay relaxed and not go out too hard. I made some brave moves at about half way during the race and found myself in about 6th place. My last lap I got extremely tired and couldn’t quite hold the pace. I finished 9th. Lucky for me I also got to race the 5000m after rand made the final.
What’s your favorite type of training and why?
I love long repetitions on the track and long runs. I am a very aerobic athlete so the longer work really suits me! My favourite place to do a long run would be on beautiful, hilly trails on a mountain or in a forrest. I love to run and look at the scenery!
Your boyfriend is also a good runner. How does it feel to have a boyfriend with also a lot of run quality?
Athletics can be a very lonely sport, so to have my boyfriend/bestfriend beside me all the way is wonderful. It makes all the traveling much more exciting. We can share our highs and lows together and help one another get better.
In May and June you stayed a few weeks in The Netherlands. What do you think of ‘our’ country?
The Netherlands is truly a beautiful country. I love training in Nijmegen every year and the environment is perfect for our group. We get soft, beautiful trails to run on, a great gym at the university and a fast local track to train on. Susan Kuijken (a Nijmegen local) is on our team so we come to get some training in with her and enjoy the Dutch way of life!!
You have a beautiful carreer as far with the Olympic games and the Australian steeple record. What are you goals for the next years in the atletics?
I hope to continue to progress as an athlete. I would like to run sub 15mins for the 5km soon and maybe break my own steeple record again. My bigges goal in the next few years is to try medal at a major championship. That would be amazing!
Hoofdfoto: Odile Verzandvoort