Olympic champion Nick Hysong aiming at
new heights
Laura Arcoleo
After finishing fourth in Seville 99, American pole vaulter Nick Hysong improved his personal best to 5.90m to win a surprise Olympic gold medal in Sydney. After a well deserved rest, he now looks forward to the forthcoming summer season during which he is likely to reach new heights.
You broke your personal best to win the most prestigious title of all, can you explain how you managed to peak at the right moment of the year? Did you follow a special preparation?
I did not have any special preparation other than gearing my workouts to give me the best chance of feeling good on those days. It is pretty much how I prepare for most of my competitions. Peaking at that time had been in my coach's (Greg Hull) and my mind for a few years. Our goal was to increase my consistency to a higher level each year. In 1999 I was very consistent at 5.70m and had a several 5.75m or higher vaults. In 2000 I was very consistent at 5.75m and had more over 5.80m (which meant I tried 5.90 a lot more). So when I got to the Olympics I knew what I needed to do, to finally jump my personal best. Although I did make a mistake in the vault I was still high enough to clear the bar.
What, if anything, has your Olympic title changed in your life?
It has not changed my life much. I am still just a pole vaulter who likes to do all the things I did before. I just have a few more people who recognise me. Although I was finally able to buy a new car after driving the same one for ten years!
American pole vaulters won gold and silver in Sydney. Has this made your victory any different?
I think it was good for US Pole Vaulting that we won gold and silver. It can help move our sport forward, but I don't think it made my joy any bigger I was just ecstatic to make it to the Olympics and jump my personal best. That was my goal the entire time.
How did you celebrate your Olympic title?
I never did anything specific to celebrate it. Sharing it with others and seeing the excitement of my friends was more than enough for me. I would like to thank the other vaulters who competed with me, because they made it very special. They are all great people as well as great athletes, and I am proud to know all of them as friends. Jeff Hartwig, Tim Lobinger, Okkert Brits, Danny Ecker, Micheal Stolle, Dmitry Markov, Igor Potapovich, Maksim Tarasov, Jean Galfione, Romain Mesnil, and everyone who I compete with on the circuit. The friendship that we all share makes our event the greatest in athletics.
What are your main objectives for the forthcoming season?
We are looking for a higher number of 5.80m jumps for this season, and working on a couple of specific technique problems I have.
How are you currently preparing for 2001?
I have only been doing some light training so far. After such a long season last year I needed some rest. So we are looking at starting slow, and hopefully finishing strong.
Will you feel like being the favourite in Edmonton? And if so do you think this will be positive for you? Will there be anyone who you will fear particularly?
It would be nice to be the favourite. That would mean that I would have been jumping really well all year, but I have six months of competition and a lot of great athletes to compete against. Any of them could be the favourite too.
How do you like the circuit of Grand Prix - do you enjoy competing in Europe?
I enjoy it a lot. I am honoured to compete in front of such great crowds and fans of the sport, and thankful to the meet directors for their work and kindness to me.
I know you are married. Have your closest relatives played an important role in your Olympic victory/career?
Yes I have a huge amount of support from my family, and Kolette's (my wife's) family. She has a job at American Express to make sure we can pay bills regularly, and that gives me the time I need to train. I know it is not always easy for her to go to work either when I stay at home. My parents have always helped me out when I needed help. My father, especially, had a big role as he was my coach for at least the first ten years of my vaulting career.
Do you have a role model - somebody who inspired you?
Jesus Christ, My Father, Sergey Bubka, Earl Bell, Maxim Tarasov, Jeff Hartwig, Bob Seagram, and the vaulters on the Grand Prix circuit (who are always encouraging whether you have a good or a bad day).
What is a normal day like for you?
Coffee, Internet, a couple of Video Games, Practice or Skateboarding, clean something in the house, and spend time with my wife and dogs. I eat and sleep too.
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