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ATHLETICS. Yelena Isinbaeva: To be assured of Sochi’s victory, I even broke with my regime
Today, on July, 6 during the second stage of the prestigious “Golden League” in Paris, the Olympic champion and many times world record holder in the women’s pole vault, Yelena Isinbaeva will enter the sector in an unusual position for her - the second. For the first time in the last few years, the world’s best result of the season belongs not to Isinbaeva, but to the 25-year-old American woman Jennifer Stuczynski: 4.88 meters. This summer Isinbaeva has yet to jump higher than 4.85. Yelena Isinbaeva spoke about what is more important for her - victory or results, about her plans for the million dollar “Golden League” jackpot, and her emotions regarding Sochi’s victory in the fight for the 2014 Olympic Games to the special correspondent of the Agency of sport information “All Sport” in Paris, Natalya Maryanchik.- Yelena, to be fighting altogether just for the world’s best result of the season – it’s unusual?
- Yes, this is the first time in my career at the high level it’s happened. But I’m not upset, after all, the season has just started. After Ostrava, where I jumped only 4.66 m, I had a good training session at home in Formia. I don't change anything important in my jumping technique, but I try to improve upon what’s already done.
- You start jumping when the majority of your rivals have already concluded their competition. Have you stocked up on books to fill the waiting time?
- I hope by the end of this season or the start of next, that other girls will also begin competing at heights around 4.60 m. Considering their recent progress, this is realistic. I’d like to raise my own initial height higher and higher. But so far you’re right, I bring a book and warm clothes so I won’t freeze. My book for Paris - philosophical.
- The words you always whisper before your attempts, also something philosophical?
- You know, earlier I flatly refused to answer such questions. But now maybe I’ve grown up (laughing). Before my attempt I talk with the bar, and with myself, to pump myself up for the jump. Everything depends on my disposition. But I came to the athletics from gymnastics, and there everyone does this sort of thing.
- Does the unexpected arrival of Stuczynski represent an unpleasant surprise?
- Oh no, quite the opposite! Understand, when you constantly win and your rivals are much weaker, it seems like everything is sweet and simple for you. But gradually it gets boring, and you need new stimuli. With Stuczynski’s arrival I’m hungry again! She motivates me, and forces me to work harder and harder. But am I worried? I know that if I jump at my best, no one can beat me!
- Is simply winning a good result?
- Certainly I feel pressure. Everyone expects not just victories from me, but also records. I’m a maximalist, and for me victories alone haven’t been enough for a long time. In the end, there are lots of winners, but only a few world record holder. But, on the other hand, before I began to establish records, for six years I just worked, unknown to anyone. It’s been about two years since I began working with Vitaliy Afanasevich Petrov. I have faith, but we need to wait. Faith that I still have many high achievements ahead.
- How does a person feel when they’ve set a world record?
- Such emotions, which there’s no way to experience in regular life. They get in your head and make it necessary to go further and further. Probably, these can’t be experienced in regular life, working in an office, even as some sort of director or president. Just imagine, it was possible for you to do something which no one was able before you, and after you, no one will be able to repeat. I long for these sensations very much. And I’ll do everything possible to experience them again and again.
- Is this possible at the World championship in Osaka?
- In Osaka the victory will come first for me. Because this would be my first great summer victory after I drastically changed my life. But then I’ll think about the world record. Truly, I don’t know how long it will take me to break it.
- Do you consider pursuing sport without world records to be senseless?
- It seems to me that world records drive the athletics forward. Consider for example, the women’s high jump. The world record is 2.09 m, and imagine that someone jumps, let’s say, 2.08. All the journalists will write that the jumper was close to the record, her name will be famous, and that’s not all. A worldwide sensation – almost the world record, only 2.10. Therefore, for me personally, the women’s hammer is interesting, where I really respect Tatiana Lysenko, the men’s discus is interesting, in which Virgilius Alekna prevails. If the world record in some form is set at a level unattainable for contemporary athletes, in my view, it’s less interesting.
- Was Sochi’s victory in the fight for the Olympic Games 2014 like a world record?
- Yes, certainly! I watched the live broadcast that night. I was so nervous that my hands were even sweating when the results were announced! But overall, I was confident that Sochi would win. Our team had done too much for this victory, and our presentation was the best. I expected more from the Koreans, but in my opinion, they came out rather weak. During the election of the host city for the athletics world championship in Mombasa, the Koreans from Degu simply sparkled, but here our advantage was obvious. Of course the Olympic Games are even bigger deal than the world championship (laughing)!
- As an Olympic ambassador, did you contribute to Sochi’s victory?
- I hope I did. Probably here, great success overall consists of many small human contributions. Everywhere I talked about Sochi’s bid, talked about our country and people. In 2014 I’ll already be 32, and I hope to come to Sochi as a visitor. If I’m able to help somehow with the organization of the games, I’ll certainly help! Furthermore, I enjoy many forms of winter sport. For example figure skating and ski jumping. I just don’t understand how athletes can do that!
- But isn’t watching TV at night a serious disruption of your regime?
- Well, really this is a secret (laughing). July the 5th was a rest day for me, so my coach specifically admonished that I shouldn’t. In reality, at first I didn’t want to watch the elections, in order to save the emotion for my own competition. But I didn't manage. My head was absorbed by all this story, and the eventual outcome was very important to me. And I’m really happy that the International Olympic Committee understood how much Russia needed this Olympic Games.
Paris
