Date of birth: July 12, 1995
Career start: 2014
My breakfast routine: Everything with oatmeal, plant drink and fruit
Lieblings-Bowl: Sweet Cylon Bowl
Favorite topping: Almond butter
Who are you and what are you doing?
I am Carlotta Nwajide, Vice World Champion and European Rowing Champion and Olympian. In addition to competitive sports, I study geography and am committed to fighting racism and promoting climate justice.
© Johannes Arlt
What does a typical day for you look like?
During my training routine, I usually get up shortly before 7 because the first training session starts at 7:30. I usually stay in bed until the last minute, so my mornings tend to be stressful. We train 2-3 times a day. Two sessions in the morning and one in the afternoon, every third day only two in the morning.
In between or after, I usually try to do something for university or activism. Depending on how we trained, this works sometimes better and sometimes worse.
If there is still time in the evening, I like to see friends, read or even be out and about. Most of the time I have to sleep early because I have to train a lot the next day.
What has been the best moment in your career so far?
The best moment for me was when we took the team bus to the Olympic Village. Everything I always dreamed of as an athlete and gave my all in training every day has finally come true.
What is important to you in your diet?
I usually try to eat healthy, with lots of fruit and vegetables and enough proteins and carbohydrates so that I always have enough energy. In addition, unless it works otherwise, I eat a vegan diet, so plant-based nutrition is very important to me.
What do you usually do in your free time?
I enjoy reading, being around people and being outside. Otherwise, I deal a lot with racism and the climate crisis.
How has Corona affected your everyday life as a competitive athlete?
For me, the biggest impact of Corona was that the Olympic Games were postponed. Above all, this brought a lot of uncertainty into my everyday life. I somehow had to change all the plans I had for afterwards, my studies were delayed for another year and I had to qualify for the Olympic Games again, even though I had already been nominated the previous year. That was one of the hardest things for me. Otherwise, I think we all did an incredible number of corona tests, there were no spectators at competitions and I saw even fewer people, even in phases of easing, because there was always the risk of becoming infected with corona and therefore being unable to attend .
“You can recognize me from afar…?”
I usually wear black clothes and have a coffee in my hand.
© Werner Amann
“If I wasn’t an athlete, I would be…?”
Very difficult question that I'm currently trying to answer myself. I would probably have significantly more time for activism, friends, family and my studies. I always planned my life around and up to the Olympics. Now that I have reached my goal, there are new things to do.
© Cover image: Maja Hitij
