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OLYMPIC GAMES-2008. Yelena Isinbaeva: Winning without a world record wouldn’t make me so a very very happy
Today, August 18th, in Beijing at the Olympic light-athletics tournament Yelena Isinbaeva became a double Olympic champion and 24-fold world record breaker in the women’s pole vault. She gave all the details of her victory to the special correspondent of the Agency of Sport Information "All Sport", after appearing in the mixed zone with a pink plush dolphin in her hands.- Lena, what’s the significance of the little dolphin?
- This is my little talisman, which brings me luck.
- Do you still collect dolphins?
- Well, probably I’m too grown up now to collect dolphins. I just like them very much – I have them here (showing a ring), and here (showing her earrings)… It would be simpler to say where I don’t have them.
- What was most difficult today?
- Probably keeping my emotions under control. I wanted to quickly get into battle, but like always, I had to wait a bit longer the other participants to come in. The anticipation was a little wearisome. But in other respects – everything was just wonderful!
- Today you won after just two jumps - at 4.70 and 4.85 m. Was this easy or difficult?
- Those jumps were easy. Frankly, I hadn’t expected to win so quickly. I thought that there would be some competition or that something unexpected would happen. And hardly anything happened – I was already at 4.95 and the Olympic champion, and I’d barely used my first two attempts (laughing).
- But was there any doubt?
- No. I was very confident. And I knew that, if not everyone, then very many, believed in me. Indeed, you believed in me, right? Thank you!
- Before the Olympics, you suggested that to win in Beijing, you’d need to set a world record. But today, 4.85 sufficed for gold. Why were you mistaken?
- Well, I was still talking about my victory. Because without a world record, winning wouldn’t make me so very-very happy. In fact, my primary goal was to set a world record at the Olympics. I’ve wanted this since 2004, since the Games in Athens. I understand that people think in categories: Isinbaeva - world record. And if Isinbaeva won without a world record – it’s not a victory.
- Describe all three of your jumps at 5.05.
- On the first attempt the standards were a little too far back, I didn’t get on the pole strongly, barely touched the bar with my chest - and it fell. On the second, I ran poorly, extended my steps, the pole stood up - and I basically fell flat on the bar. But on the third, my coach Vitaly Afanasevich Petrov and I adjusted the standards, adjusted my run, I took a deep breath, went - and made it.
- Was everything as simple as you’ve described?
- Well, how simple… Only the tale is simple. I can’t convey what was going on inside me. Inside everything was boiling, I was quivering outside, but I tried to control myself, and not show what was happening.
- If you’re going to win the Olympic Games with a world record, weren’t you afraid of using up all your emotions in your two prior world records this season?
- Not at all! On the contrary, these were such shots at my rivals.
- Which of your three Olympic Games was the most difficult?
- I can’t say that they were difficult… In Sydney in 2000, I didn’t even get past qualifications, although I went there for a medal (laughing). In Athens in 2004, my chances for victory were put at perhaps 80 percent to 20. Some still thought another sportswoman would win. But in Beijing 100 percent of the people were already certain of my victory; no one had any doubt. And psychologically - entirely psychologically - these Olympics were the most difficult. Because I’ve became, for example, more widely recognized. Here I don’t go around in the Olympic village. I’ve sat in my room from August 14th until today.
- Who brought food to your room?
- Well, I’ve actually been to the dining room. I pull down my baseball cap; wear dark glasses, trying to remain anonymous. But at the same time, I think going around alone like this, trying to deflect attention, draws it instead, and I simply look ridiculous.
- How did you feel about your coach’s demeanor today?
- Strangely (laughing). After 4.85 he behaved as if I hadn’t yet won the Olympics – quiet and imperturbable. I was rejoicing: we won, we did it! I began to smile, and blow kisses… But he said: calm down, you still have to jump the world record, so relax and get yourself together! This conversation was right before my third attempt at 4.95.
- At this time you didn’t cover yourself with a towel, but with a blanket. Wasn’t it hot?
- Oy, very hot. But it helped.
- What were you thinking about at this point?
- Nothing extraneous. I tried to gather all my strength into a fist and remember the jumps I’d done in Rome and Monaco – for the world records.
- What thoughts were going through your head today, when it was in the air at five meters?
- So, yet another record, the 24th! I was already counting (laughing). Although, of course, today’s record is quite unique. Winning the Olympics with a world record - this is so cool!
- Would you call your current jumping technique ideal?
- Well-l-l… No. Let the answer be - no. But I’m still okay with it. (laughing) But I really liked my 5.05 jump.
- After this victory and record your patience was phenomenal – you spent more than an hour in the mixed zone! Is this sincerity or professionalism?
- It’s all from my heart! I really appreciate that so many people are waiting for me, sometimes for several hours. They come to the stadiums for me, and the press conferences. It means I’m not such a bad person. Every journalist makes me a little more popular in his country. Thanks for my PR! (laughing)
- You train a lot in Ukraine, and your coach is from there. Do you already consider it your second homeland?
- Oh, I have so many connections with Ukraine! For example, I now have a boyfriend from Ukraine - Artem. But will I move there? I’d rather bring Artem to Russia.
- You’re the Russian team captain for Athletics. Will we see you in the stands tomorrow, with a Russian flag, supporting your fellow countrymen?
- Of course! Although I'm not sure that I’ll be able to watch the competition. I’m afraid most of the time I’ll have to give out autographs. It may be that my only salvation will be the VIP-grandstand. (laughing)
- You’ll keep jumping until London-2012?
- Yes, of course. This is my goal, at least. I want to win in London with a world record - and leave with a clear conscience.
