World indoor champion in Doha in March, Blanka Vlasic will aim to win the gold medal at the European Championships this summer. The Croatian, who participates in the third installment of the Diamond League, Oslo, acknowledges having learned from its past defeats, especially at the Beijing Olympics.
BLANKA VLASIC, have you any idea how many of your attempts world record?
BV: I do not count, to be honest. My dad takes care of these statistics. I just remember that I was close to beating him in Brussels in 2007 and last year in Thessaloniki at the final Grand Prix.
What motivates you to jump to that height of 2.10 m?
BV: Every day, I give 100% to progress. This is the best investment you can make to achieve its objectives. And take that height is part of mine. This small inch that I can break the record Stefka Kostadinova is very important to me. This proves that I'm really close to beating that record. But if I do one day, I do not say "you are done!" I'd try just to set myself a goal even higher.
In World of Berlin, you got the medal most important of your career. What memories do you have?
BV: I had a lot of pressure. In Osaka in 2007, I had problems sleeping at night. This time, I was really well prepared mentally and I knew I was facing one of the toughest competitions in my career. When I arrived at the stadium, I concentrated on my technique and on the heights that occurred to me. I did not go too fast. I was surprised to see how I remained calm. Only after releasing the pressure, that I realized all this stress could overwhelm me. It was a magical night and this gold medal is the best win of my career.
In 2008, you have dominated all season. In Beijing, you were the favorite but the gold has eluded you. Like the Golden League jackpot. This has been difficult to swallow ...
BV: To be honest, I am using every moment of my career. Be it good or bad, because it gives me makes me stronger and smarter. In Beijing, I spent 2.05 m in my second test while Tia (Hellebaut) has cleared its first attempt. Simple as that. Regarding the meeting in Brussels where I lost the jackpot, everyone was tired after the Olympics. I think that Friedrich received a certain freshness after zapped Zurich, immediately after Beijing. For my part, I felt tired and I could not jump as high as I wanted. But what the money side of experience? I have no regrets. This allowed me to see weaknesses that I had to work.
How did you handle these difficult times?
BV: I just took a little rest at home. And I started working for the winter. It was not as complicated as one can imagine. I can live with defeat because I know I gave my maximum. In Berlin and Brussels, it was not enough. Sometimes, it happens. It is not easy to win all the time, without the right to deal with bad days.
In late August have held the European Championships in Barcelona. What are they for you?
BV: I've never managed to win any medal in the "Euro". In Barcelona, I will try to complete my collection. But there was also the League Diamond. The summer promises beautiful events in perspective. Spain already passed me in the past (2.05 m in 2007 and 2.06 m in 2008). Regarding my opponents, I can not target them to move forward. Rest me the issue in late July (laughs).
Belgium's Tia Hellebaut came out of retirement to race again and attend the meeting in Madrid on July 2. What do you think?
BV: To be honest, I have not had any special feelings when I heard the news. If she is happy like that, I'm happy for her. After that, it sure is good for our sport that there are more girls who can jump high.
BLANKA VLASIC, have you any idea how many of your attempts world record?
BV: I do not count, to be honest. My dad takes care of these statistics. I just remember that I was close to beating him in Brussels in 2007 and last year in Thessaloniki at the final Grand Prix.
What motivates you to jump to that height of 2.10 m?
BV: Every day, I give 100% to progress. This is the best investment you can make to achieve its objectives. And take that height is part of mine. This small inch that I can break the record Stefka Kostadinova is very important to me. This proves that I'm really close to beating that record. But if I do one day, I do not say "you are done!" I'd try just to set myself a goal even higher.
In World of Berlin, you got the medal most important of your career. What memories do you have?
BV: I had a lot of pressure. In Osaka in 2007, I had problems sleeping at night. This time, I was really well prepared mentally and I knew I was facing one of the toughest competitions in my career. When I arrived at the stadium, I concentrated on my technique and on the heights that occurred to me. I did not go too fast. I was surprised to see how I remained calm. Only after releasing the pressure, that I realized all this stress could overwhelm me. It was a magical night and this gold medal is the best win of my career.
In 2008, you have dominated all season. In Beijing, you were the favorite but the gold has eluded you. Like the Golden League jackpot. This has been difficult to swallow ...
BV: To be honest, I am using every moment of my career. Be it good or bad, because it gives me makes me stronger and smarter. In Beijing, I spent 2.05 m in my second test while Tia (Hellebaut) has cleared its first attempt. Simple as that. Regarding the meeting in Brussels where I lost the jackpot, everyone was tired after the Olympics. I think that Friedrich received a certain freshness after zapped Zurich, immediately after Beijing. For my part, I felt tired and I could not jump as high as I wanted. But what the money side of experience? I have no regrets. This allowed me to see weaknesses that I had to work.
How did you handle these difficult times?
BV: I just took a little rest at home. And I started working for the winter. It was not as complicated as one can imagine. I can live with defeat because I know I gave my maximum. In Berlin and Brussels, it was not enough. Sometimes, it happens. It is not easy to win all the time, without the right to deal with bad days.
In late August have held the European Championships in Barcelona. What are they for you?
BV: I've never managed to win any medal in the "Euro". In Barcelona, I will try to complete my collection. But there was also the League Diamond. The summer promises beautiful events in perspective. Spain already passed me in the past (2.05 m in 2007 and 2.06 m in 2008). Regarding my opponents, I can not target them to move forward. Rest me the issue in late July (laughs).
Belgium's Tia Hellebaut came out of retirement to race again and attend the meeting in Madrid on July 2. What do you think?
BV: To be honest, I have not had any special feelings when I heard the news. If she is happy like that, I'm happy for her. After that, it sure is good for our sport that there are more girls who can jump high.
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