I competed at Olympics 2024 but now I’m back home living a double life in my day job
AN OLYMPICS star has revealed that she has a double life as an athlete and an accountant.
Hazel Ouwehand, 24, starred at the Olympics in Paris as she took part in the 100m fly.
The Kiwi swimmer finished in 58.03 seconds which saw her finish in 18th place.
She enjoyed success at the National Short Course Swimming Championships in New Zealand last week.
She won gold in the 50m fly as she finished in just 25.60 seconds.
Ouwehand has amassed a huge following on social media, with 66,500 people who look for her updates.
She has now revealed that she works as an accountant when not in the pool representing her country.
In a recent video, Ouwehand showed her swapping swimming for spreadsheets.
Another post showed her throwing away her swimming gear and changing into her work clothes, including a red wig.
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The post was captioned: “Oh the thrill of the double life.”
She told Whats the Jam: “Everyone at the office is super supportive of me and my swimming, a lot say it’s really cool that they can say to others that they work with an Olympian.
“My coworkers and friends think it’s really awesome.
“I also don’t feel like I get treated any differently from anyone else.
“We are all celebrated amongst each other for the things we achieve outside of work.”
Ouwehand has also insisted that her bosses have supported her double lifestyle.
She added: “The directors, associates and my manager are all really flexible and accommodating.
“They allow me to fit my work in and around my swimming.
“They understand that there are sometimes competitions that cause me to be away for a few weeks at a time, but are very supportive.
“I make sure that when I am at work I give it my full attention, and appreciate their support immensely.”
Paris was Ouwehand’s first appearance at the Olympics, and she claimed that it was a “breathtaking” experience.
She said: “This was my first Olympic Games and it was such an amazing and unique experience.
“It is definitely the biggest swim meet I have ever competed at and the biggest, and loudest, crowd that I have ever competed in front of.
“It was really nice to be able to escape New Zealand winter for a few weeks and trade it in for a hot European summer.
“The venue locations for some of the events were absolutely stunning, and I thought Paris did I great job hosting the events and really hyping up the city of Paris.
“It was absolutely breathtaking.”
Ouwehand will next be back in action at the World Short Course Championships in December.
She is not the only Olympian to have separate work to sports.
Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin, a silver medalist works serving customers in a restaurant owned by her parents in Hengyang City.
Beauty secrets of current Olympians
Jordan Chiles
The American gymnast has a 26-step makeup routine which includes 15 different products.
To ensure her makeup lasts throughout her performances, she uses a foundation, concealer, primers, eyeshadows, lip oils and liners, blush, contour and eyebrows included
Jordan, who has a few hours to get ready before competing, will also pay extra attention to her eye area, using an eyeshadow primer and setting powder both from Fenty Beauty.
The gymnast then adds these products to the inner corners of her eyes to achieve a brightening effect that looks good under the spotlight during her matches.
Simon Biles
Preparation is key for Simone, who starts off by using a Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer, £18 for 10ml of £35 for 45ml.
She then goes on to apply concealer, foundation, liquid eyeliner and mascara, before then using two different setting sprays.
The gold medallist uses the ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, £30, first, and then Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer, which costs £25.20 from Amazon.
Simone has also been spotted blotting away sweat with a powder.
Lina Nielsen
She’s a 400m sprinter for Great Britain, which means she’ll know a thing or two about looking race ready at all times.
To help prevent breakouts from dirt and sweat, Lina will use a hypochlorous acid spray.
She also has stripped back the products she would normally use and keeps her skincare routine super-simple.
On her race day, Lina will moisturise more than usual to keep her skin protected.
She will always use a primer before wearing make-up to make sure everything locks in place.
How do they do their hair?
Expert Trichologists at Philip Kingsley share their top tips on how to look after your hair like an Olympic Champion
- Swimcap Hair Mask: Using the Swimcap means your hair stays protected but also hydrated so you get the benefits of a leave-in treatment at the same time! The uniquely creamy, conditioning formula — originally formulated for the USA Olympic synchronized swim team — treats and shields hair from the drying, damaging effects of the sun, sea, chlorine and UV, helping to keep tresses nourished and hydrated.
- Hair care whilst exercising:
Pre-shampoo conditioning masks are great to use whilst exercising, so why not put in the hair before tying into a tight ponytail – like the one we saw Keeley rocking last night! (Elasticizer)
Detangle your hair after as it may get tangled during a session, and wash with a shampoo and conditioner suitable for your hair texture.
If your scalp gets itchy after a work-out session, use a soothing anti-microbial shampoo, like Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo.
- Training to work
Philip Kingsley’s Dry Shampoo is on hand for the days when you’re going straight from training to the office, adding days of life back into your hair and soaking up grease.