Last night, a group of young Bahraini fencers had the chance to interact with 2008 Beijing Olympic epee fencing gold medalist and former world champion Britta Heidemann at a special event hosted by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC). I experienced it once. night.
The 40-year-old German athlete holds the distinction of being the only fencer in the world to hold three major titles at the same time. She won the World Singles Championship in 2007, the European Championship in 2009, and again in 2008. Olympic Gold Medal – The lads’ night was made even more special when she actually went fencing with some of the star athletes.
But how did Heidemann, a native of Cologne, get invited to Bahrain to headline in the presence of BOC Vice-President Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa and BOC Secretary-General Faris Al Kouhei? I wonder if it became?
“Really, it all happened by chance,” she told GDN in an exclusive interview after finishing her duel with the young Bahraini.
“A few months ago, at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, I was sitting next to Mr. Al Quheji and we struck up a conversation.
“Then, while we were talking, I started checking the world rankings to see where Bahraini athletes were ranked, and there was no one in the rankings. I told them I wanted to support them.”
Heidemann, now considered one of the most successful fencers of all time, was drawn to the sport by pure chance when, at the age of 14, he was already a promising young track and field athlete and swimmer. That was when she took on the challenge. A variation of modern pentathlon, including fencing.
But it wasn’t until 2000 that the 5-foot-11-inch Heidemann, then just 18 years old, began specializing in fencing.
Her progress from then on was impressive, and just one year later, Heidemann became Epee Junior World Vice Champion and Junior European Champion. And for the next six years, she finished on the podium everywhere she competed, until she became world champion in 2007 and began her incredible run of three major titles. did.
Heidemann, who became a member of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes Commission in 2016, said: “Since I was little, it has always been my dream to succeed in sports, but I never thought I would become an Olympic champion.” There wasn’t,” he laughed. .
“But I always wanted to grow every day, and I always felt like there was room for more and more. And in the end, I became one of the most successful fencers of all time.” She added without giving a hint, still laughing. Of arrogance.
“So when I held three major titles at the same time…for some reason, it was never the end goal for me, but things just happened one after the other.
“So when I won the world championships, I thought, ‘Maybe you can win a gold medal at the Olympics, too.’ But when I won that, everyone was like, ‘You should just quit.’ It felt like What’s left for you to win? But I thought, “I’ll show you!” and immediately returned to the game. And we won the European Championship! ”
More than her desire for titles or gold medals, Heidemann said, it was her unique inner drive that made her want to be even better than before at everything she does, especially fencing. Told.
“What drew me to fencing was the fact that it’s all about mental strength,” she explained.
“Before I started this sport, I was passionate about swimming and track and field and understood that most sports are all about physical fitness.
“So what attracted me to fencing was the mental aspect of it. If you’re not mentally strong enough, you can be the best fencer in the world and still lose to anyone. I made the switch and have never regretted it.”
And although Heidemann retired from competitive sport while still in her early 30s, her love for fencing remains even as she holds an important job with the IOC, of which she is a full member.
“Athletes have two lives, they start their careers very early, and by the time they finish their careers at 34 or 35, they have already invested 20 to 25 years into their chosen sport. ” she said.
“To be honest, when I retired, it was really hard to adjust to my new life. It’s like retiring at 70 and suddenly not knowing what to do.”
But Heidemann found purpose in his work with the IOC.
“As a member of the IOC Athletes Commission and as an IOC full member, I have worked on all topics related to athletes for the past eight years,” she explained.
“These range from Olympic experiences to managing mental health to anti-doping issues.
“Also, working with the IOC to support the development of sport in different countries is a never-ending and very interesting journey.”
And it was that motivation, the chance to help develop the sport she loves in Bahrain, that brought Heidemann to the kingdom on Wednesday night.
“To be honest, I was really interested in coming here to observe the level of fencing in Bahrain,” she said.
“I think it’s always great to be able to help young athletes improve and develop and hopefully I can come back and help them even more. I’ve already given them some tips and But they really appreciated it.
“It was really great to be able to motivate all these enthusiastic young athletes,” she said.
“And while I was doing that, you saw me on the piste. If I looked like I was having fun, it was because I was having fun. I loved it. It was my first time participating in a sport in eight years and I realized I still had the same drive for the sport as I did when I was an active athlete.”
Heidman will now spend the weekend visiting tourist attractions around the kingdom before heading to Riyadh for the 2023 Saudi Games.
“Obviously, I haven’t had a chance to really get around this beautiful country since arriving late on Wednesday night. That’s why I decided to spend the weekend here and absorb as much as possible of what Bahrain has to offer. It can be done.”