Maria Mutola celebrates winning the 800m in Brussels and the IAAF Golden League Jackpot (© Getty Images)
On Friday 5 September last year, Maria de Lurdes Mutola of Mozambique crossed the finish line in Brussels to win the Memorial Van Damme 800m in 1:57.78, so completing a clean sweep of victories at the six IAAF Golden League meets of 2003, and winning in the process a Jackpot of $1 million.
This was one of the biggest of all pay days in athletics history, and justly reflected the talent that has taken the 31 year-old from Maputo, Mozambique to a catalogue of outstanding running achievements at 800m - three World outdoor titles, an Olympic crown, a record-equalling five World Indoor golds, and four individual World Cup wins!
The gifted former school soccer player, who via an Olympic Solidarity Committee grant studied in Eugene, Oregon, USA, competed at the Olympics as early as 1988 and took her first World titles ten years ago. In recent years she has confounded the experts by not only continuing in the world’s top flight but establishing a period of dominance at 800m which is arguably with out equal in the history of women’s athletics.
Mutola has never hidden from a challenge. Each year during both the indoor and outdoor seasons she races week in, week out, taking on her major rivals whether on the Grand Prix circuit or at major championships, answering her opponents in the best way she can with her sublime racing tactics and devastating finishing kick.
Mutola will next race at the Norwich Union International in Glasgow on 24 January, the start of her preparations for the World Indoor Championships in Budapest (5 – 7 March 2004), but recently was kind enough to interrupt her training to answer some questions exclusively for the IAAF internet. We are now pleased to bring you the interview.
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Q: Not counting heats and qualification rounds, you have had 20 straight victories at 800m since you last lost a race at the distance (19 July – Monaco 2002). Why do you believe you have been so dominant in the last two years? What are your strengths and weaknesses as a runner both physically and mentally?
I have been dominant in the 800 on two separate occasions in my career. The first time from 1992-96, and now again in 2002-2003. Between the years of 96 and 02, I was competing successfully, but the competition was very strong which made it impossible to win every race.
I have been very fortunate to be able to train consistently without major injury from 1992 to the present. I attribute this to a few things. First, I was gifted by our Creator with the physical attributes necessary to become a successful athlete. Secondly, I live a very healthy life with what I eat and drink. And, finally, my training programme has not put unnecessary stresses on my body. I am like the candle that has a steady long lasting flame, rather than the candle that burns brightly, yet dies quickly.
Physically I am blessed, and I’m so very grateful and thankful for that. Mentally I’m disciplined, determined and dedicated to do my best to achieve my goals. Additionally, I have this fire within that continues to burn brightly year after year; ‘my desire to win’.
Q: Can you describe what it felt like to win the $1,000,000 Golden League Jackpot? What were your first thoughts on crossing the finish, was it just relief or something deeper?
Of course, winning the whole jackpot was monumental because for the first time it was won by a single competitor. One of my goals for the 2003 outdoor season was to win a share in the Golden League Jackpot. Hence, I approached each of the six competitions with but one thought in mind – Victory. Now I can look back and say, “Task well done – mission accomplished.
Winning all of one’s events in six of the greatest and most competitive of all Track and Field Meetings is, to be sure, an extremely difficult task. I have made three Golden League Jackpot attempts in my career, and, fortunate for me, I have been successful twice.
Yes, at the finish line in Brussels, I experienced a great feeling of relief. However, that feeling was quickly replaced by the emotions that come from the accomplishment at having reached a goal that encompassed 3 months and 6 Meetings. I was so very happy.
Q: Your victory in Brussels was a great publicity boost for the sport. How much do you think the Golden League and the Jackpot specifically helps promote both athletes and the sport as a whole?
For the answer to this question, one must go back to what was before the Golden League. Then we only had the Grand Prix’s… and my recollection of that system was that only the athletes, coaches and managers seemed to be aware of what was happening (in terms of the accumulation of points). The media and the public never seemed to catch on to it. Now, with the Golden League and its Jackpot, there seems to be much greater interest and attention paid to Athletics.
Q: You gave part of your prize money to the Maria Mutola Foundation. Please can you give some information about the foundation and also your recent appointment as Honorary UN Youth Ambassador?
The Maria Mutola Foundation is organised to provide scholarships, sports clothing and coaching assistance to promising athletes. We have one young athlete in Eugene, Oregon as a high school exchange student. We patterned this programme after the one I took advantage of early in my career. My foundation has also provided assistance to other young athletes by helping them to travel and compete in other areas of Southern Africa. As with any endeavour of this nature, it is our hope to provide the basic necessities to afford the individual athletes the ability to develop their talents and carry themselves to their full potential. I hope that in the future these young athletes will be the next shining stars representing Mozambican Athletics with pride and honour.
Regarding the UN appointment, I feel privileged to be the recipient of such an honourable position. As this appointment has just happened, I have not yet been called upon to exercise any particular duty. I look forward to help in any way I can to bring together the youth of the world in positive ways.
Q: You are five times World Indoor Champion, three times World outdoor Champion and also the reigning Olympic Champion, can you explain how at thirty-one years old you keep motivated for another Olympic campaign after such an outstanding career?
I enjoy what I do – the training – the competing – the travelling – the people I meet. It is so important in life to be passionate about something. I am so blessed to have found my passion and be able to renew it year after year. Another important factor that motivates me is my country – Mozambique. My successes have brought a great deal of recognition and admiration to my country. I am greeted by my countrymen and women with such pride and enthusiasm every time I go home that it humbles me. You see, my accomplishments have given them hope……….and with hope, anything can be accomplished.
Q: Are you planning to contest the World Indoor Championships in Budapest next March?
Yes, I am looking forward to defending my World Indoor title in Budapest. If successful, this will be my sixth title, and I would be very proud to carry that honour and distinction. Also, I have never been to Hungary, and I look forward to my visit as I’ve heard that Budapest is a very lovely ‘Old Europe City’.
Q: Where are you training now and are you still sharing a house and working with Kelly Holmes (GBR)? Also what extra inspiration does it give to have another World Class Athlete to train with you?
I am still training in South Africa; the temperate climate, the altitude and its close proximity to Maputo have made it a good choice for me. I continue to train with Kelly, it is smooth and easy for us as we have the same coach (Margo Jennings) and the same manager (Jeffrey Fund). When I trained alone from 1991 – 2002, my coach and manager helped me to develop the discipline, determination and dedication needed for continued success at the world class level. Now, joining our team is Kelly - another World Class Athlete who shares the same goals as we do. This gives extra inspiration and motivation to all of us.
Q: What has been the secret to the successful coaching relation you have had with Margo? What makes her such a great coach?
My relation with Margo has been a continual one since the time I first went to the United States as a teenager. She is more than a coach – she is like a mother to me. During my teenage years, I lived with her and Jeffrey Fund who is now my manager. They both gave me the confidence and guidance to reach this high level of achievement. I believe in Margo’s training program – have surrendered myself to it completely. The successes we (Margo, Jeff and I) have had as a team have been extraordinary. We are now going into our 14th year together and we still look forward to the future.
Q: The Athens Olympics is presumably your goal for 2004. What would it mean to retain your Olympic Title?
Yes, a successful defence of my Olympic title is my major goal for 2004. Being an Olympic Champion is the most coveted of all sporting titles. If I do realise my dream and win the Olympic gold again in 2004 it would bestow upon me yet another honour – that of being the first woman to win consecutive gold medals in the 800m event.
Q: Have you set any limits to your career, or do you intend to continue as long as possible?
I intend to continue for as long as I enjoy my running. If I remain competitive in the 800, I will stay in that event. But who knows – I might consider a change of disciplines in the future which would be like starting over in a sense.
Q: Beyond your competitive career as a runner, what would you like to do with the rest of your life?
Athletics has been so wonderful to me through the years that I will remain connected to the sport. Only time will tell what the picture will be. Even now I am exploring other areas of the sport through the Maria Mutola Foundation, as I am actively involved in its direction. Further, I have done some coaching and advising to young Mozambican Athletes. My belief in God allows me to accept each day with gratefulness and look forward to the future with hope.
IAAF