Blanka Vlasic clears 2.05m in Madrid (© Jose Antonio Garcia Molero)
On the eve of the IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting, the traditional pre-event press conference was held in the competition headquarters hotel.
Blanka Vlasic (CRO) who jumped a 2.05m outdoor PB and national record 3 days ago in Madrid
“Madrid was a very special night. My goal this year was to jump a PB, I’ve been chasing it all season; I was just waiting for the right time.”
“After I cleared that, I didn’t want to miss the chance to attempt the World record. It’s so rare to have that opportunity.”
On her attempts at 2.10m
“At 2.10m it felt like I’m there, like it’s not impossible. It felt really good and everyone said it looked good too so I’m happy about that.”
On her excellent results this season
“To be honest I didn’t expect anything coming into the season. My training has been very good this year and I have had no injuries so I expected to jump at a higher level than last year. I’m happy I’m doing so well.”
“I’m just taking it easy and enjoying every meet, I believe the best formula to do this job is to be relaxed.”
Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) who ran a World leading 7:26.69 3000m in Sheffield
“I will only run the 10,000m at the Osaka World Championships because it is very difficult to double (5000 & 10,000). It will be very hot there, I read about the weather and it says it’s going to be very hot so very hard.”
About the fact that he will have run no 10,000m before Osaka
“It is not a problem because I have got a good training. It doesn’t matter if I run a 10,000m or not run before Osaka.”
About his performance in Sheffield
“I ran 7:26 in the rain which wasn’t easy but I felt very strong. I decided before the race about the tactics I used in Sheffield. I was feeling strong so I wanted to run fast. Maybe one day I can get the World record (7:20.67). Maybe tomorrow if the conditions are right I will try.”
Meeting director Jean Pierre Schoebel explained there will be 3 pace makers in Monaco’s 3000m race. “The World record before the present one had been set by Morceli in Monaco so it would be nice to have the record back!”
Tatyana Lebedeva (RUS) who jumped 7.15m three days ago in Madrid
“In Madrid I aspired and believed that I could have a good result in the Long Jump. Last year I jumped over 7 metres but it was always wind assisted. This year I want to focus on both events (Long and Triple Jump).”
“At the Olympic Games in Beijing I will do both events so to do both events at the World Championships this year would be a good preparation. So I have to compete in the Long Jump at the National Championships and jump well to be in the team because we have a lot of very good girls in the Long Jump in Russia.”
“In Madrid I felt I was quite in good form so it convinced me to try both events, why not.”
“Tomorrow my objective is to get the stadium record in the Triple Jump which is mine and it would also be my season’s best.”
Ladji Doucouré (FRA)
“Tomorrow I just want to perform well and do my best. In training things are going very well but so far I haven’t managed to do as well in competition. I know I have to be patient, which is not easy for me, but when you’re an elite athlete you learn that you have to be patient and good races will come in time.”
On his poor results in Reims and Rome
“I haven’t changed anything in my training because I didn’t run that well in those races. This year we’ve been lucky we’ve been able to have a long build up because the World Championships are late in the season which has helped me as I am coming back from injury.”
“We have decided to work hard and not compete too often and respect the objectives that we have set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. My races in Reims and Rome weren’t top but I’ve done a good job in training. I know that I will improve with each race. I just have to be patient.”
Christine Arron (FRA)
“I am approaching tomorrow’s race with a good state of mind, I have trained well last week and have managed to get some good sleep so I feel positive. My aim is to meet the standard for the World Championships. I think it is feasible especially now that I feel fresher than earlier in the year.”
“I like Monaco, it is a nice place where I’ve come often for my rehab. It is also here that I’ve run my last good race at the World Athletics Final in 2005. I hope tomorrow it won’t be as windy as today so I can achieve a good performance again.”
“My injury problems are in the process of being solved, I have got my motivation back.”
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
