-
Room Mates: Val Adams and Lucy Van Dalen - Source: Photosport and Facebook -
Related
New Zealand middle distance runner Lucy Van Dalen is absolutely buzzing at the prospect of rooming with Valerie Adams at the Olympic village.
A virtual unknown in New Zealand just over a month ago, US collegiate star Van Dalen shot to national prominence when she shaved six seconds of her personal best in the 1500 metres at a running meet in San Diego in June to qualify for the London Olympics.
Now in the UK preparing for the biggest meet of her young life, the happy-go-lucky 23-year-old revealed to onenews.co.nz last night who she would be sharing a room with.
"Well actually Val Adams will be my roommate so I mean I'm quite excited about that and meeting her but it's quite funny that she is going to be my roommate so that is awesome," Van Dalen said.
And she has good reason to be thrilled with the bunking situation. Beijing shot put gold medallist, Adams, is widely tipped to be the flag bearer for New Zealand at the Opening Ceremony next Saturday morning (New Zealand time).
Van Dalen has not been to the Olympic village yet but will be there for the Opening Ceremony before moving in with her superstar team-mate on August 2nd.
This week Van Dalen, who is the indoor NCAA indoor Mile champion, won the Mile race at the Cork City Sports meeting, recording 4m 31.78s in very windy conditions.
The time places her third on the New Zealand all-time list for the event and just 1.38 seconds off the New Zealand record held by Christine Pfitzinger
"I was pleased with that race because the Australian champion (Kaila McKnight) was running in it so it was cool to beat her and run a fast time," she said.
"It was a bit windy so it wasn't great racing conditions but you have to be prepared for anything and there could be bad conditions in London so it was good."
Van Dalen will return to Ireland next week to run in an 800 metre event before rooming with some girl called Val.
Follow New Zealand's Olympic athletes on Twitter