<DIV> Winner - Elena ISINBAEVA, RUSI was waiting for this victory like a mother is waiting to give birth to her baby. It was very important for me. The last three years showed me how important it is for me to win. I am so happy as if it was the first time. I had to wait two hours before my first attempt. I am not really surprised that I only needed to attempts, two jumps to win. My shape looks great. I am confident that I am in a great shape. I feel great. The break was good for me - my body needed a rest and my mind, too. Today I understand better what I achieved in the past, how great this was and is. Second - Vanessa BOSLAK, FRAThis silver medal comes after 3 years of frustration. I ruptured the cruciate ligaments of my left knee in March 2009 and the recovery took a very long time. Some doctors even discouraged me to try come back. But I didn't want to end my career on an injury. So here, I told myself, this is today you have to do it and not tomorrow. It was a day of luck but also a day where I wanted it really hard. And the 4.70m clearance was not bad at all. After 4.70m, the emotional load was too much and I wasn't really able to get back to the competition. I now want to do even better this summer and I know I have the capacity to do it. Third - Holly BLEASDALE, GBRIt is amazing to win a medal and it is a great boost for my career. When I saw we were 16 women I know I had to stay focused all througout. I am happy but slightly disappointed as I knew I could clear 4.75. I am still very young and I have to learn how to handle it psychologically. I have my speed and strength and I have to work on my technique. I will take a week off and then resume my preparation for London.</DIV>

I was waiting for this victory like a mother is waiting to give birth to her baby. It was very important for me, Yelena Isinbayeva.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's Pole Vault Final

<DIV> Justin GATLIN, USAI came here to set a statement for the rest of the year. I want to break the world record. The track is great and the crowd is awesome. I have been to the bazaar and the people are really nice. I will certainly come back here.</DIV>

I came here to set a statement for the rest of the year. I want to break the world record. The track is great and the crowd is awesome. I have been to the bazaar and the people are really nice. I will certainly come back here, Justin Gatlin

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's 60m semi-final

<DIV>WinnerWill CLAYE, USAI felt a lot different today. I saw my team -the Florida Gators- won the national college championships and that motivated me a lot. I felt excited already from the warm-up and every jump was crazy. It's been a long weekend for me and I am happy the US is coming back in the jumps. It's going to be tough to make the US team with Dwight and the guys from college. I want to rest and start my training soon.Second - Christian TAYLOR, USAIt is a huge PB for me indoors. Will and I have competed together in college and to come 1-2 today at the world stage, it is amazing. I have a lot of faith in Will and myself. I will continue to work hard, on my approach to the board and get ready to jump far in London.Third - Lyukman ADAMS, RUSThis is the biggest result in my career. When I jumped 17 meters in qualification I knew I could add up to 50cm in the final and be in good position for a medal. So I focused on that and I made it. I am so happy and it gives me a great confidence in this Olympic year.</DIV></DIV>

the Florida Gators- won the national college championships and that motivated me a lot. I felt excited already from the warm-up and every jump was crazy, Will Claye

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's Triple Jump Final

<DIV> Winner - Dimitrios CHONDROKOUKIS, GREI am very happy and very lucky. This is my first medal in an international competition! I did not expect to win at all and beat all these Olympic and World champions! If I am surprised? Of course! It was a very hard competition and I am grateful about my new PB. The crowd was so warm, a lot of guys who came here from Greece. They were really cheering me up! Second - Andrey SILNOV, RUSI am not satisfied with the silver. I planned to jump higher, but had some technical difficulties at 2.35m. This is my first major championships after the Olympics so it is still a very positive result.</DIV>

I am very happy and very lucky. This is my first medal in an international competition! I did not expect to win at all and beat all these Olympic and World champions! Dimitrios Chondrokoukis.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's High Jump Final

<DIV> Winner - Veronica CAMPBELL-BROWN, JAMI am blessed and very grateful for the victory tonight. I am thankful to God. As far as the Olympic Games are concerned, it is hard for me to choose just one event. This gold medal is a set in the right direction for the London Olympic Games. But I have the Jamaican trials coming up in June first. I had a good start today - it takes a lot of focus just to react because the 60m is such a short race. I do not know whether I stumbled or not. Second - Murielle AHOURE, CIVI'm happy. To get a silver for my first international event! It's a dream to be here, as I couldn't leave the US territory until now. My administrative status just got sorted out on the day I was due to fly to Istanbul. Now I know what I have to do. I'll need to work on the last 20 meters. I was leading. Veronica only caught me in the last 10 meters. In the summer I really think I can do 10.8 in the 100m. Third - Tianna MADISON, USAThis is a good end to the indoor season and a good step for the outdoor season. I worked on my speed for the Long Jump. I am happy with the medal.</DIV>

I am blessed and very grateful for the victory tonight. I am thankful to God. As far as the Olympic Games are concerned, it is hard for me to choose just one event, Veronica Campbell Brown.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's 60m Final

<DIV> Winner - Mohammed AMAN, ETHIt is championships race so I knew it would be slow. I positioned myself well and held on for the win. I am glad to add a 800m gold for Ethiopian athletics. I am inspired by so many great runners in my country. I am very young and have lots of ambitions for London. I don't know how I will celebrate, but I just want to thank Istanbul for this great championships. Second - Jakub HOLUSA, CZEBefore the final, I couldn't sleep very well, because I was thinking so deeply about a medal, even the gold one. I thought if they start slowly, I'll just follow the pace. The competition was settled after 400m when the pace accelerated. Every second is important in such a race. Maybe I should have made my move a little bit earlier to be able to catch Aman. I'm a 800m-1500m runner, but this summer the 800m will be my main event. Third - Andrew OSAGIE, GBRYesterday's semi-final gave me a lot of confidence, especially the last 120m. I knew I can kick it. I am so happy! This is my first senior World championship final and I got a medal - great! Concerning tactics, my coach told me 'Just be ready for everything' and he was right. Because the race was very slow. Yes, for some time it looked like I was out of the race because I was staying behind. But my trick was not to panic. Because from yesterday I knew that I could kick it on the last 150m.</DIV>

It is championships race so I knew it would be slow. I positioned myself well and held on for the win, Mohammed Aman.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's 800m Final

<DIV> Winner - Hellen Onsando OBIRI, KENI'm so happy to win the gold medal, because it is my first win and also because I defeated Meseret Defar, who is 4-time world champion indoors. I knew that Defar has a strong kick in the last 20m meters, that's why I had to make my move earlier, with 150m to go. In 2011 I didn't perform well. I hope 2012 will be my year. I hope to do something in the 1500m at the Olympic Games. Second - Meseret DEFAR, ETHI am very disappointed and very sad. The last 200m were very hard, I did not expect this. My feelings right now are very bad. Third - Gelete BURKA, ETHI am happy with my result considering I injured myself after Daegu. I injured my right foot in the first round and I was bleeding a bit, but fought on the last lap and won the bronze. My usual event is the 1500m and it remains my favorite. I am not sure which event I will do in London. I want to recover first and see how my training goes.</DIV>

I'm so happy to win the gold medal, because it is my first win and also because I defeated Meseret Defar, Hellen Osando Obiri. 

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's 3000m Final 

<DIV> WinnerPamela JELIMO, KENFor me, I am happy. These last three years, with my injury, were a desaster for me. Injuries have a great impact on top athletes. For my country and my management and me - it was bad for all of us. But I did not give up and my coach motivated me a lot. It feels great to be a world champion, it is great to be at the top again. I did not imagine winning this title. I have been trying to be in shape. About the race: In the last two laps there were a lot of pushes, but that is ok. I have to defend my Olympic title in London. I hope everything will be ok and I will stay healthy. About the indoors season: I wanted to test myself before the outdoors season. Second - Nataliia LUPU, UKRMy coach told me yesterday, I could expect a third or a fourth place. Myself I was not so sure, because my opponents are very strong, and I knew my physical shape would only allow me to clock around 2 minutes, so that result is really unexpected. Third - Erica MOORE, USAIt was terrifying. I was scared on the home stretch but I held on. I didn't think I have a chance to medal here, but after watching the video of the prelims I realized I was one of the strongest. My coach told me I could run two minutes flat and I was comfortable at that pace. I am happy with my personal best, my first World Chmapionships medal. It is a great boost in my preparation for the Olympics.</DIV>

For me, I am happy. These last three years, with my injury, were a desaster for me. Injuries have a great impact on top athletes, Pamela Jelimo.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's 800m Final

<DIV> Winner - Brittney REESE, USAI am blessed to become the first woman to win back-to-back indoor titles, plus the American and the Championships record. Istanbul will be a special place in my career and will now go for the Olympic gold, the only major title missing in my career. That quote (See it, Feel it Trust it), I had it in the back of my mind and knew I could jump far today. Second - Janay DELOACH, USAI gave 100%, I gave the best that I can. There was nothing more to do. I gave it all and here I am with a silver medal. I am so grateful. I am really excited about it. This is amazing, I could just scream! My jumps were ok. Only the last one felt really good: I had it . Now I will take a little bit of a break and then I need to work on a few things. I guess the prize money is the biggest money I ever got. This will help me for the whole year. Third - Shara PROCTOR, GBRThat was very intense. But it had all what it takes to make a good competition. I had two fouls in the beginning. So I went back, tried to stay relax. And then jumped 6.86 and after that got more confidence. When Brittney landed at 7.23m, I was just happy for her, but I had to try to stay focus. I came here to jump far. That's what I've been doing. I'm doing my job.</DIV>

I am blessed to become the first woman to win back-to-back indoor titles, plus the American and the Championships record, Brittney Reese.

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Women's Long Jump Final

<DIV>Throughout this action-packed weekend the IAAF website will offer extensive coverage of the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Live coverage will include event by event reports, live results, live radio, a live competition blog, and action images. A perfect starting ppoint is our dedicated Istanbul 2012 mini-site here: <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/index.aspx">http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/index.aspx</A>. Or follow the quick links below: - LIVE RESULTS - <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/live/wic12/live.html">http://www.iaaf.org/live/wic12/live.html</A> - EVENT REPORTS - <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/News/kind=108/News.aspx">http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/News/kind=108/News.aspx</A> - LIVE RADIO - <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/Multimedia/Audio/LiveRadio.aspx">http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/Multimedia/Audio/LiveRadio.aspx</A> - LIVE COMPETITION BLOG – <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/Live/WIC12/live.html">http://www.iaaf.org/Live/WIC12/live.html</A> - SCHEDULE, START LISTS AND RESULT - &nbsp;<A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/Results/ResultsByDate.aspx">http://www.iaaf.org/mini/wic12/Results/ResultsByDate.aspx</A> - ATHLETE BIOGRAPHIES - <A HREF="http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WIC12/news/Athletes/AthletesBio.aspx">http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WIC12/news/Athletes/AthletesBio.aspx</A> IAAF</DIV>

Throughout this action-packed weekend the IAAF website will offer extensive coverage of the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul 2012 - Read, listen and follow on IAAF.org

<DIV>Not having a single representative in yesterday's 400m final must have put a little extra fire in the collective belly of the U.S. men's 4x400m Relay squad as the quartet cruised to a comfortable victory, their fourth straight in the event at the World Indoor Championships. It was the British squad that took the early lead courtesy of Conrad Williams, his 46.26 split leading the U.S. and Poland into the second exchange. The order remained the same over the entire second leg, with Nigel Levine fending off Calvin Smith Jr. and Poland's No. 2, Marcin Marciniszyn into the third exchange. By now the British and Americans opened a bit of daylight on their Polish pursuers as Michael Bingham and Manteo Mitchell battled on. Mitchell proved the king of the round when he passed the Briton with about 50 metres remaining in his leg, handing off a clear lead to anchor Gil Roberts. Roberts, who arrived in Istanbul a medal threat in the open 400m prior to the championships only to miss advancing into the final, held his ground firmly this time and reached the finish in 3:03.94, nearly a full second ahead of the British squad, who clocked 3:04.72. Jarrin Solomon, anchor for Trinidad & Tobago, produced a strong finishing leg to bring his squad home in third in 3:06.85, a national record to go along with the bronze medal. Russia (307.35), Spain (3:10.01) and perennial power Poland (3:11.86) rounded out the field. Bob Ramsak for the IAAF</DIV>

Not having a single representative in yesterday's 400m final must have put a little extra fire in the collective belly of the U.S. men's 4x400m Relay squad as the quartet cruised to a comfortable victory, their fourth straight in the event at the World Indoor Championships.

EVENT REPORT - Men's 4x400 Metres Relay - Final

<DIV> Never predict the outcome of a Hurdles final based on the results of the semi-finals: that is the lesson we have learnt in the past and yet again here in Istanbul it was no exception. It took US champion Aries Merritt a huge scare in the afternoon’s semi-final to come back a couple of hours later and line up in the Atakoy Arena extremely focused on his main job ahead, not messing up with the start. And that is just what the former World Junior champion did, he literally shot out of the blocks with the swiftest reaction time and the edge he got from the move would eventually prove victorious. Running in lane 4 Merritt had a clear advantage over pre-event favourite Liu Xiang, the winner of this title four years ago in Valencia and it looked obvious to the naked eye, that Liu was having great difficulties resuming his characteristic composure. Merritt had struck right back at Liu’s strongest asset, the start. Liu had looked so easy earlier in the afternoon that the general consensus was that only a fall or a major mistake would prevent him from winning his second World Indoor title. And yet it took just a stronger man in the field. Liu was trailing behind Merritt at hurdle one; he didn’t have much time on his hands but the move he made between the first and second obstacle ended up having the opposite effect as the Chinese clipped the wood and found himself unbalanced. “I knew Aries Merritt is a fast starter. So I got out in a rush and wasn’t able to control my technique over the first hurdle,” Xiang explained. “By the third one, I felt there was no chance for me.” Liu hung on for silver, his second medal of that colour at these championships, in 7.49, three hundredths off Merritt who becomes the sixth American to win this title. The bronze medal also went to the least fancied of the outsiders as World Junior champion Pascal Martinot-Lagarde set a new personal best time 7.53 to out-dip Andrew Pozzi of Great Britain by 5 hundredths of a second. Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF</DIV>

Never predict the outcome of a Hurdles final based on the results of the semi-finals: that is the lesson we have learnt in the past and yet again here in Istanbul it was no exception.

WORLD ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dramatic final day brings Istanbul 2012 to a close - Day 3 Wrap

Teenager Aman’s rise continues with Ethiopia’s first 800m gold

Isinbayeva after fourth World Indoor title: 'Today I understand better what I achieved in the past'

Istanbul 2012 – Day 3 Preview

Istanbul 2012 - Flash Interviews - Men's 4x400m Final