Margaux Isaksen (Q&A - Dec. 2009)
Margaux Isaksen, 18, of Fayetteville, Ark., was a member of the 2008 Olympic Team and had an outstanding competition year in 2009. She won a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships in Taipei, and took gold at the Senior National Championships, Youth A National Championships, the NORCECA Championships, and the U.S. Open. Isaksen also had strong showings at the World Championships in London (17th place) and the World Cup Final in Rio de Janeiro (14th place). She currently trains at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Margaux answered the following 10 questions for this month's Athlete Profile...
Q1: What don't people outside of Arkansas know about your hometown of Fayetteville that they should know?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Fayetteville has the small town feel I love and most of the amenities of a big city. It's a great place to live work and play. I loved growing up there.
Q2: What's the book you read most recently, and how do you rate it?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope". I absolutely loved it.
Q3: You have competed on the world stage at a very young age. In those initial competitions, did you feel the age difference, or did it work to your advantage?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Age is just a number. On the playing field no one cares how old you are. Everyone I compete against has the same goal...to win. No one gives you breaks or makes exceptions. I always knew that.
Q4: What's your favorite movie of late?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: It's hard to narrow it down. Can I give a few?? I guess I would have to go with "Love Actually", "Atonement", "P.S, I Love You", and the classic "Sound Of Music".
Q5: What is one thing that you can't live without?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Well, I would hope I would go on living through all circumstances, but the hardest thing to live without would of course be my family. I depend on them through thick and thin. I really love my iPhone as well.
Q6: If you could go anywhere in the world this weekend, where would it be, and why?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: To a beach in the Caribbean. I would love to lie on the beach all day.
Q7: If you could put the Olympics anywhere, where would that be?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Somewhere in America. I would love to perform in front of my country.
Q8: If you could train with any Olympian, from any sport and any time period, who would it be?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
Q9: What would you be doing if not involved in modern pentathlon?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: Who knows. I always set high expectations for myself and I hope that no matter what I am doing I am seen as someone people can respect.
Q10: Talk about your last 15 months of competition, which included the Beijing Olympic Games, world championships and World Cup finals. What were the more memorable moments and what did you take away from your experiences that will help you at future world-class events?
MARGAUX ISAKSEN: The last 15 months have been amazing. I don't have just one memorable moment. Getting to compete internationally and represent the United States is a series of unbelievable moments. It is a gift and opportunity I am thankful for everyday. I never stop learning and seeking ways to improve, and with every competition you gain knowledge in hopes of being better next time.
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