Lea Sprunger and Ajla Del Ponte are the fastest shared apartments in Switzerland

Lea Sprunger and Ajla Del Ponte live under one roof in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The meaning of her statement “We have the same rhythm” can only be grasped when the 30-year-old talks about her living conditions. “We live in a studio that measures around twelve by eight meters. Everything is in one room, kitchen, dining and living room as well as our beds. If only one of us wants to sleep and the other doesn’t, it becomes difficult, ”said Sprunger.

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But Sprunger and Del Ponte quickly realized that their lives were in sync. Since their coach Laurent Meuwly switched to the Dutch Association in 2019, they have also been training at the National Sports Center Papendal. Over the past year they’ve rented Airbnb apartments over and over again. “But the constant search for it has cost energy.” The hurdler and the Swiss sprinter of the hour decided in February to look around for a real rental apartment, and have lived in this attic studio since then and until mid-September.

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Romande and Ticino feel at home. It is not the same quality of life as at home, “but we are well together, and it’s nice not to be alone here,” says Sprunger.

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Cooking, cleaning, reading

The two women live together very well, both are uncomplicated, that is valuable. “We share everything in the household.” Lea likes to clean the kitchen, “that’s kind of my thing”. And how does she describe her roommate Ajla, the rising star in the Swiss sprint sky? «Ajla is very helpful. She would never just sit there when, for example, I was cooking. ” Del Ponte’s specialty is a Ticino dish, “she likes to cook risotto”.

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The early riser of the two athletes is jump. “If we sleep in on a Sunday, Ajla could stay in bed until ten o’clock. Then we come to a compromise and get up at nine thirty. ” Del Ponte likes to read and many books. “Me less, thanks to her I started again.” They have gotten into the habit of watching an episode or two of a series and then preferring to read books. They are currently watching the comedy series “Grace & Frankie”, which is about two older women who surprisingly become flatmates. “We often smile and wonder if we will still be living together in twenty years.”

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At Sprunger and Del Ponte, too, a community of convenience has turned into a friendship. Although the 2018 European champion over 400 m hurdles is the older of the two athletes, they are on an equal footing. “We often have interesting conversations. Ajla is very mature for her age. ” And very quickly.

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The Ticino is currently the best sprinter in Europe, has won over 100 m at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco and twice a few days later in Bydgoszcz (Pol). What else does Sprunger trust her younger colleague to do? “There’s a lot in it for Ajla. She got stronger mentally. They push these victories and stay in their backpack for 2021. ” Another can be added today.

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Jumpers behind

In contrast to Del Ponte, Sprunger’s start in Stockholm (Sd) is her first in the Diamond League this year. “It’s a difficult season,” she admits. She has not yet made up for the form deficit after her Achilles tendon problems. “I am at 80 to 85 percent of my efficiency.” That’s why she is currently setting herself very specific goals, like for today in Stockholm: “I want to run the first 200 meters of the race fast.” That was once her strength, she wants to achieve it again. The placement is therefore (still) in the background.

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