Roman Sebrle in action in the javelin of the decathlon (© Getty Images)
Decathlon World record holder Roman Sebrle is following the example of his Czech compatriots, Jan Zelezny the triple Olympic Javelin champion and Ludmila Formanova, the 1999 World indoor and outdoor women’s 800m gold medallist, and leaving his homeland for warmer training climes during the winter months.
Unlike Zelezny and Formanova who both left for training in South Africa last week, Sebrle will fly on Saturday (17 Jan) to Grand Canaria, Maspalomas for a training camp which will last until the end of the month.
Sebrle, who took the silver medal in last year’s World Championships Decathlon behind American Tom Pappas, will have his first indoor competition at the multi events meeting in Tallinn, Estonia 7-8 February.
"This time my wife Eva and my son Stepan are going with me. So we will be all together. My main focus will be on good quality training, we will also concentrate on pole vault as my coach for this event Pavel Beran is coming too," said Sebrle.
Zelezny as usual is in Potchefstroom
Zelezny left the Czech Republic on 8 January and will make a much longer warm weather stay. He will be at his base in Potchefstroom, South Africa until the middle of April.
Even though he was not on the medal podium in Paris, Zelezny was still quite satisfied with the 2003 season. "I had rib surgery in autumn 2002 so really was not sure what would happen. But everything went well," said Zelezny, who won two Golden League Meetings in Paris and Zurich, and had the second and third longest throws of the year.
"This time I will be able to train more than last year, of course depending on the health situation but at the moment everything is ok."
"The goal is clear - to achieve the best possible result in Athens and that means for me to try to defend the title from Sydney. I will try to work also more on my technique as I was not satisfied with this part in 2003 at all," said Zelezny who if he wins in Athens would become the most successful medallist in single event Olympic Athletics history. He would match Al Oerter and Carl Lewis as 4-time winners in Discus and Long Jump, but they do not have the silver medal which he also has to his credit (Seoul 1988).
"I know the excellent conditions in Potchefstroom, I have full support there. It will be long and hard, but that is the way to achieve something. No fun, really concentrating on training. I will have a physio with me, and also some other Czech athletes.”
Zelezny’s first competition of the year will be the premier Czech meeting, the IAAF Super Grand Prix Golden Spike in Ostrava on 8 June 2004.
Formanova makes a last attempt to regain fitness
1999 World outdoor and indoor 800m champion Ludmila Formanova is also based in Potchefstroom for more than a month of training. Formanova underwent a successful back operation last year (after missing the whole season) and since autumn has started to train again. She is missing the indoor season but wants to be in top shape for outdoor competition.
"This is really one of my last tries. After many difficulties and complications with my health I have been able to train regularly since October. This is a good sign. Athens is the ultimate goal,” she explained noting she has the full support of her coach, the legendary Jarmila Kratochvilova, who is also in Potchefstroom.
Alfons Juck for the IAAF
