Hege Bøkko

Memorable sporting achievement

Competing at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. (Athlete, 24 Nov 2018)

Reason for choosing this sport

She followed her brothers into the sport.

Hero / Idol

US speed skater Shani Davis, Canadian speed skater Cindy Klassen, Norwegian speed skaters Adne Sondral and Simen Kroken. (Athlete, 04 Dec 2015; origo.no, 03 Nov 2014)

When and where did you begin this sport?

She began skating at age two near Hol, Norway.

Famous relatives

Her brother Havard Bokko and her partner Havard Lorentzen have both represented Norway in speed skating. At the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, her brother won gold in team pursuit while her partner triumphed in the 500m. (SportsDeskOnline, 26 Nov 2018; vg.no, 07 Sep 2018)

www.facebook.com/hegebokko/
twitter.com/HegeBokko

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Have fun." (Athlete, 24 Nov 2018)
Other information	RETIREMENT In April 2020 she announced her retirement from the sport. "I have chosen to close this chapter as a skater. It is a sad and heavy choice, but it feels very right now. I do not feel I have reached my full potential, but the cup with motivation and patience is almost empty. Then it is difficult to continue as a skater who will train to be the best in the world, which was once my goal. Although the dream of winning medals at senior level remained a dream, I look back on a career with many wonderful memories and moments, with several good results that I must say I am proud of." (Instagram profile, 26 Apr 2020; ad.nl, 26 Apr 2020) ILLNESS She has suffered from a lung infection called Taiwan acute respiratory agent [TWAR] during her career. "I had some years when my body didn't want to listen. It was a hard balance to keep up. I felt good one day and the five days after I felt really bad, and then maybe one good day again and five bad days. It was really hard to get through and mentally tough. I knew I was at a good level because in 2010 at the Olympic Winter Games [in Vancouver] when I was 10th in the 1000m, I said, 'In four years I want to have a medal'. But it got worse every single year. In 2014 in Sochi I just qualified for the team pursuit. I really didn't want to go because I felt so bad and I didn't feel I had anything to do there. So it was hard mentally to go through those years." (isu.org, 03 Mar 2017)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs	She blows into her skates before she puts them on. (olympiatoppen.no, 02 Feb 2018)
Injuries	She herniated a disc in her back in 2009. (Athlete, 24 Nov 2018)
Most influential person in career	Coach Peter Mueller. (Athlete, 24 Nov 2018)