Nicola Olyslagers, the world champion in women's high jump, has returned to Split, Croatia, for training sessions with former Croatian coach Bojan Marinović, marking another phase in her athletic development. The Australian athlete, who recently secured her third world title at the World Championships in Tokyo 2025, is continuing her relationship with Marinović, a figure well-known in European athletics circles for his work with Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlašić. This latest visit comes after a series of successful competitions, including her Olympic performances in Tokyo and Paris, where she finished as runner-up. Olyslagers' connection with Split began in the summer of 2023 when she visited the island of Korčula, where her family name, Marinović, originates. During this trip, she decided to take advantage of the opportunity to train under Marinović’s guidance. According to Marinović, Olyslagers wanted to hear alternative perspectives and refine aspects of her technique. “She came here to get a different point of view,” he said, highlighting how the collaboration started. The partnership deepened following Olyslagers’ victory at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow in early 2024, where she won her first gold medal. Her performance there was followed by a second consecutive world title later that year. Since then, she has continued to build on her success, finishing as the silver medalist at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. With three gold medals, three silvers, and one bronze, Olyslagers has established herself as one of the top athletes in her discipline. Marinović emphasized that each visit to Split had a positive impact on Olyslagers’ performance. “Every time she came back, her jumps looked better and better,” he noted. He described her as a straightforward individual who adapts well to training conditions, even in challenging environments such as the stadium in Split. The improvements in her form have been evident during these visits, which he attributes to focused technical adjustments and strategic planning. Olyslagers’ current training regimen includes working closely with her coach, Matt Horsnell, who has maintained a collaborative approach with Marinović. According to Marinović, the pair values the insights gained from their sessions in Split, particularly in refining specific details of Olyslagers’ technique. “It's mostly about showing certain nuances because in this stage of her career, it's all about those small things,” he explained. These incremental changes have helped maintain her elite status without requiring major overhauls to her existing methods. Her support team includes her husband, who accompanies her on training trips, along with a dedicated group of physiotherapists and conditioning coaches. This comprehensive setup helps prevent injuries, a rarity in her career. Olyslagers has avoided serious injuries throughout her professional journey, a feat Marinović acknowledged as uncommon for an athlete competing at such a high level. Marinović expressed satisfaction with the recognition of his contributions to Olyslagers’ development. “I feel satisfied and it’s nice to know they recognized some of my qualities,” he remarked. His role has extended beyond coaching, offering mentorship and insight into the nuances of high-level competition. The collaboration continues to evolve, with plans for further training sessions in Split aimed at maintaining Olyslagers’ competitive edge.
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