Fabiana Murer meets with the press in Monaco (© Phillipe Fitte)
Brazil’s 2011 world pole vault champion Fabiana Murer, who also won the 2010 world indoor title and is the South American record-holder both indoors and out, offers an insight into her life by answering our work, rest and play questions.
Last month, the 33-year-old Murer just missed out on adding to her medal collection when she finished fourth at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
FABIANA AT WORK
What are your favourite three things are about being an athlete?
FM: The travel is very nice, and visiting many countries. Secondly, it is getting to know many people and coaches because of pole vault; and thirdly, the adrenaline I feel during a competition. I think it will be something I will miss when I retire.
What is your least favourite thing about being an athlete?
FM: When you go to a competition and you are disappointed with your performances. I am very sensitive when thing go badly in a competition.
What is your favourite training session?
FM: Of course, I enjoy the jumping. It is my favourite part of training. It is a great experience when I jump.
What is your favourite type of music to train to?
FM: I only listen to music when I’m jogging. I like the Brazilian music of Seu Jorge. I also like the jazz of Jamie Cullum; and I like rock bands, too, like Talking Heads.
Do you have a favourite all-time training partner?
FM: I really like training with the two women who currently train with me, Karla da Silva (four-time Brazilian pole vault champion) and Sara Santos (another Brazilian pole vaulter). We can talk about woman’s things, like hair and other things when we are on the circuit.
FABIANA AT REST
Where is your favourite place to relax?
FM: On the beach, any beach, in Brazil. We have a good place in the north of Brazil called Bahia. I know I can relax and always have good weather in Bahia.
What is your favourite stress reliever?
FM: Sleep. I like a lot to sleep. Since I was young, I can’t wake up early or go to bed late otherwise I get tired and angry. To feel comfortable and relaxed, I have to sleep a lot.
Describe your perfect non-training day?
FM: A good day would be to wake up late, go to the swimming pool and relax at my apartment.
What is your perfect meal?
FM: I like lasagne or a barbecue, which is very traditional in Brazil. I remember when I was young my parents had a barbecue every Sunday.
What is your favourite TV programme?
FM: I’m a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. At the moment, there are now two (Sherlock Holmes) series one is English and the other one is American. I’ve been watching the American series. I like the way he’s very smart and a little sarcastic when he discovers things. Watson is a woman in the US series, which is nice.
FABIANA AT PLAY
What is your favourite all-time movie?
FM: As I’ve said, I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan but my favourite movie is Back To The Future. I’ve watched this many times. For me, it is my favourite movie, the first and the best. I used to record it and watch again, and again, and again.
What were some of your first ever movie memories?
FM: I remember this one actress from Brazil: her name was Xuxa. She had as programme for kids and I loved this women. She was very popular in Brazil. I watched many movies with her in starring in them.
Who is your favourite all-time actor?
FM: Hugh Jackman, I like the way that he works. I also like Johnny Depp because he can play a wide range of characters.
Which track and field athlete do you think would make the best actor?
FM: David Oliver (2013 World Championships 110m hurdles gold medallist), although sometimes it is a little difficult to understand how he speaks, but maybe he can be a good actor. He’s very funny. I like him.
Steve Landells for the IAAF
