Elle St. Pierre is in Paris for the 2024 Olympics. The University of New Hampshire graduate and Vermont dairy farmer is also a married mother of a 1-year-old who is determined to leave the French capital with another memorable moment with family.
Over a month since qualifying for the U.S. Olympic track and field team in Eugene, Oregon, where St. Pierre's family cheering section included son Ivan, St. Pierre embarks on a second straight appearance at the Summer Games. The 29-year-old former Richford High School star from Montgomery , Vermont, went to UNH in Durham, where she became an NCAA champion. She is scheduled to run in the opening round of the 1,500 meters on Tuesday, Aug. 6 .
More: How to watch, schedule for Elle St. Pierre at the Paris Olympic Games
St. Pierre, the American indoor record-holder in the 3,000 , mile and two mile events, is a legitimate contender to medal in Paris in the 1,500. St. Pierre followed up her 5k win at the U.S. Trials with a third-place showing in a blistering 1,500, and opted to compete in the latter, her preferred event, for the Olympics. St. Pierre's 3:55.99 at the Trials, her third race in four days, was a personal best and is currently the 10th-fastest in the world this season as of Aug. 1.
More: Elle St. Pierre qualifies for Paris in blistering 1,500 final at US Olympic Trials
Prior to departing for the Olympics, St. Pierre spoke with a reporter from the Burlington Free Press, a sister publication of Seacoastonline and Foster's Daily Democrat, for an extended question-and-answer session. This early-July phone interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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Burlington Free Press: So tell me, why do you wear sunglasses for every race?
Elle St. Pierre: I’ve always liked wearing sunglasses. I have sensitive eyes, that’s definitely a part of it, but I also like the look of it. If I feel like people can’t see my facial expressions, it gives me a little bit more confidence. They look cool and Oakley’s a great company.
Editor's note: St. Pierre has an endorsement deal with Oakley.
BFP: How are you balancing family life, racing since the birth of your son?
St. Pierre: There’s definitely been a lot of big changes since becoming a mom. There are lot more responsibilities and things that I need to plan for. It’s not me first, it’s Ivan first. That’s definitely been an adjustment, but for the better in almost every way. I feel a lot more content, happier and I feel like my perspective has changed a lot. It’s really helped me in my career.
Being a mom has forced me to be more organized with my time. I have more structure day to day. And that helps with my training. I feel a lot more fulfilled and content with who I am. I have a bigger sense of purpose and it’s been a really great change in my life.
BFP: What did it mean to you to have Ivan, other family at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June?
St. Pierre: Honestly, it’s a moment I want to remember forever. I tried to soak it in as much as I could when it was happening. It’s so overwhelming and see the crowd so loud while having that moment with your family. I wouldn’t have wanted to have it any other way than to have my family there. It’s full circle to have Ivan there after racing there two years ago with Ivan in my belly. It was an awesome moment. I couldn’t have done any of it without my husband, Jamie. He’s a big part of my career and getting to where I am. I really don’t think I could’ve pulled that double without his support.
BFP: Why the 1,500 over the 5k at the Paris Olympic Games?
St. Pierre: It would be a lot to try and do that double at the Olympics. I want to run a lot faster (in the 1,500) than I did at the Trials. So to try and do both would be basically impossible. It’s quality over quantity at this point. I want to shoot for a medal and I want to do everything in my power to make that happen. The 1,500 is my preferred event, it’s a lot of fun and I think I’m more competitive at it.
BFP: What will it take to reach the podium at the Paris Olympic Games?
St. Pierre: I think it’s going to take 3:50 to 3:52 (to medal). It’s going to be fast and in that ballpark. There are three rounds of the 1,500 to take into consideration too. I just think about what I have to do to get it done. It’s been a goal of mine for a number of years.
BFP: What do you learn from the Tokyo Games?
St. Pierre: I learned a lot about the experience and what do expect in terms of making the U.S. Olympic Team and the logistics of staying in the village and training there. Being exposed to that atmosphere was a really great experience. I was in a little bit of a different space, I did get injured at the 2021 Trials, so I was trying to put the pieces back together. And all things considered, I did really well — but ultimately there were not fans at those Olympics. And we’ve been talking about how important it is to have my family (in Paris). I’m really looking forward to having my family and husband out there this time. There’s something to be learned from every meet and every race and I definitely have more confidence going into this one, knowing what it feels like from the Tokyo Olympics.
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BFP: What does it mean to you to represent Vermont at the Olympics?
St. Pierre: I’m from Vermont and I feel very grounded here — this is who I am. I also feel very thankful for all the support I’ve received, it’s just amazing to see. It’s emotional at times, it’s exciting, and I’m very much running for my community. When it’s harder to find motivation, I just try to learn on a bigger purpose and that is running for my community, my home.
BFP: Since giving birth to Ivan, you’ve returned to the top of the sport. What can you attribute that to?
St. Pierre: I definitely had motivation to get back and prove myself in a way. After my (pregnancy) announcement, I did feel at times, not everybody, but there were some people who asked, ‘Oh, are you still going to run after you have a baby?’ I really wanted to show that I could as a mom — there are moms out there who can continue their careers after becoming a mom. I wanted to really show that strength that we have. I think that’s part of it. But I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I fee like a different person and I have a greater appreciation for the sport now that I took time away. I had some unfinished business.
BFP: What challenges did you face postpartum?
St. Pierre: Recovering from child labor was a big one and navigating being a new mom. That was a while ago now, so at times it’s hard to remember how hard it was. But those few runs, I did not feel good at all. To keep plugging away and to stay motivated was pretty hard. Every stage so far with Ivan has had its own little challenges. It’s this constant state of change with him growing and meeting his needs. One of the hardest parts is still the travel. It’s hard for me to be away from home, mentally and emotionally. I’m grateful I’m able to see the world, but it’s definitely a harder part of my career, being away from the farm, being away from my family.
BFP: What is your favorite race of your career to this point?
St. Pierre: The 3,000 indoors would probably be my favorite when I won the world championship (and set an American record). That’s the ultimate goal as an athlete, to win a world championship. It was a loaded field and I had to beat some really big names. I was really proud of myself. Before that, it was winning the Olympic Trials in 2021.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com . Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5 .
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: UNH Olympian Elle St. Pierre has 'bigger sense of purpose' since becoming a mom
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