Carolina Kluft in the Heptathlon Long Jump (© Getty Images)
27 August 2007, Osaka, JapanCarolina Klüft, unbeaten since 2002 in multi events, won a third successive World Championships Heptathlon gold medal here last night (26) she is determined to enjoy her latest victory while she is in Osaka rather than enter into discussion about her future.
Will Klüft go for a fourth successive title – already three is unprecedented – or might she move on to new challenges after the Olympic Games, in Beijing, next year?
“Right now I am just happy with my victory here,” Klüft said. “I am not thinking about the future. I just need to do this whole season, start to train again, and then we will see. But I will definitely continue with what I am doing.”
The 24-year-old Swede broke the 18-year-old European record held by Russia’s Larisa Nikitina, scoring 7032 points. “To break my personal record has been one of my biggest motivations and right now I feel kind of empty,” Klüft added.
Klüft thanked her opponents for helping to propel her towards the continental record. Lyudmila Blonska, especially, kept snapping at Klüft’s heels, scoring a Ukraine national record 6832.
“It has been two tough days and, without the support from the other girls, and the great competition we have had, I would not have been able to do it,” Klüft said. “So I would like to thank my competitors for pushing me so hard.”
Asked to clarify conflicting reports over whether she would continue in the Heptathlon after attempting to defend her Olympic title in Beijing, Klüft replied. “It is impossible for me to sit here now, during this day when I am just happy and thrilled about my competition, to talk about the future.
“I will definitely continue to work hard, and I will definitely continue to train, but how long I will do this I have no idea. As long as I think it is fun, as long as I have the motivation, I will continue in Heptathlon.”
Asked to confirm that she would defend her Olympic title, Klüft sounded tired of the subject. “Why are you destroying this moment by talking about the future?” Klüft responded. “I am just happy for my day today. My plans for Beijing? Well, I will definitely have a week off now, and I will continue to do this season, then I will try to do my plans for Beijing.”
Klüft set personal best marks in the 100m Hurdles (13.15) and High Jump (1.95) and it was the latter event which she singled out as her first-day highlight. On the second day, her marks included a 6.85m Long Jump and a season’s best 47.98m in the Javelin Throw.
“Today I had three good events,” she said of her second day. “The long jump was the highlight today but I am also happy that I managed to do a good javelin because I had some problems with the javelin during the season.
“I am happy with my competition - it has been tough, it has been hard, but we have also had great conditions. There has been no wind and a great track. I like it when it is warm and nice – it’s better than Sweden when it is raining and cold!”
Paying tribute to Klüft’s performance, Kelly Sotherton, the bronze medallist, from Great Britain, said: “I didn’t think 7000 points would be possible this weekend and I am really proud to be in that 7000 points event. I am pleased to be part of that European record.”
David Powell for the IAAF
