Blanka Vlasic talks with the press in Monaco (© Phillipe Fitte)
Blanka Vlasic, Allyson Felix, Christophe Lemaitre and Jeremy Wariner met with the media today at the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco in the lead-in to tonight's (21) World Athletics Gala.
Here is a sampling of what they had to stay.
Blanka Vlasic (CRO), two-time World indoor and outdoor High Jump champion, finalist for the World Athlete of the Year
On competing at home in Split at the IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup:
It was really amazing. I think everyone who was there had a very good time. I'm glad that they enjoyed being in my city. The competition itself was amazing, it was spectacular, it was really more than I ever dreamed of. One of my biggest dreams came true that evening. And running the victory lap I was very emotional. It's something I'll never forget.
One her World Record attempt in Split:
I was surprised. It was my first record attempt that year. I wasn't used to it. I forgot the feeling and timing for the height. But being motivated by your own crowd can help you do crazy stuff.
On her decision to take the 2011 indoor season off:
It's a personal decision based upon the busy schedules of recent years. I think it will be goaded for me to take a rest, mostly mentally, from competitions and traveling. And then be fresh for next summer. There are very important competitions coming. I think that I wont lose too much but I will gain a lot.
I won't be resting and doing nothing. I'll just be trying to improve in training. And then I'll start fresh in May with competitions.
It’s not a problem for me to train. It’s physically hard of course but it’s not as exhausting as competitions. Every competition I give maximum, and when I come home I feel exhausted and emotionally empty.
Her highs and lows of the 2010 season:
Definitely winning in Barcelona and competing in Split. Of course winning all the Diamond League meets was extraordinary. Chaunte (Lowe) didn’t make my life any easier this year.
My disappointments were every time I didn’t win. I struggled through the season trying to find my shape. Even in Barcelona I wasn’t in top shape. It was all mostly a big fight against myself, my demons. And I appreciate the fact that I’m here and that they’re even considering me as the Athlete of the Year.
On the World Record:
The world record for me is like a pair of perfect shoes in the story. When you’re a little child, and you want them so much, they look so nice. And you know that one day you’ll probably have the opportunity to buy them. It’s not something I’m stressed out about. It’s a sweet worry.
Will she own those shoes one day?
I hope so. It’s very hard to say for sure. Right now I’m heading in the right direction. And that’s enough for me.
Allyson Felix (USA), three-time World 200m champion, 2010 Samsung Diamond Race winner in the 200m and 400m, finalist for the World Athlete of the Year
On whether she will continue to double?
I’m leaning towards running both, first seeing how nationals go and then deciding from there. I don’t need to qualify for the 200 (at the US championships) so I can focus on other things while I’m there.
Which event will be her primary focus?
I think it’s going to be a bit of a balance. So I want to see how I do in two events. I’ll never get bored with the 200 (laughs) and it will be my focus heading into the Olympics. That doesn’t rule out the possibility of running both events at the Olympics, it’s just saying that (the 200) is my passion, what I would like to do well in most.
Her own assessment of the 2010 season:
It was decent. The 400 really never came together the way I wanted it to. Strategy-wise. I’m still learning there and I need to speed up with that process. But I felt good about it and going into next year learned a lot of things and I can improve on a lot. But I was pleased.
Is there a possibility she would run four events at the 2012 Olympics, the 200, 400 and both relays?
Oh definitely. I love relays. Obviously the most difficult part will be being a part of them. That’s why the 100 is always going to stay a part of my plan each year. If I’m able to get on the relay, there is no way I would turn it down.
Christophe Lemaitre (FRA), European 100 and 200m champion
His impressions on his 2010 season:
It was a much better season than I thought it would be. I won everything at the continental level, three gold medals at the European Championships, I won the title of the European Athlete of the Year and in addition to that, I also won the Continental Cup. A national record in the 100m and equaling the record at 200m. So there’s nothing at all that I can feel regretful for this year.
Does he consider himself among the world’s best?
On the world level, 9.97 doesn’t allow me to be among the top of the 100 metres. At a world championships level it does allow me to be a potential finalist. To run under 10 (seconds) is a minimal requirement to be part of the best of the world. I’m still not part of the best of the best.
Jeremy Wariner (USA), 2004 Olympic 400m champion, 2010 Samsung Diamond Race winner, world leader at 44.13
His overall assessment of the 2010 season:
Early in the season I felt a little rusty. It was a little nerve-wracking not being able to show people that I was coming back. But after the U.S. championships I kept running faster with each race.
It was good to end the season in the low 44s. It was a bit disappointing not to get in to the 43s, but that will come next season.
Goals for 2011:
First to stay healthy, then go into the US championships and make the US team for the World championships, and then to regain my title there. And hopefully to get into the 43s a couple of times.
On his plans for the 2011 indoor season:
Normally I would say no, but I’m thinking now that I might run in Fayetteville and if I’m feeling good, I might go for the World indoor record. But coach (Clyde) Hart doesn’t know that yet.
If I do run indoors, it’ll be just that one race. Just to break up my season a bit.
On what was missing that kept him from running sub-44:
Not having off-season work. I didn’t start training until the winter since I had (arthroscopic) knee surgery in the fall. And then I had a bone bruise. So my main goal was getting my strength back.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
Here is a sampling of what they had to stay.
Blanka Vlasic (CRO), two-time World indoor and outdoor High Jump champion, finalist for the World Athlete of the Year
On competing at home in Split at the IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup:
It was really amazing. I think everyone who was there had a very good time. I'm glad that they enjoyed being in my city. The competition itself was amazing, it was spectacular, it was really more than I ever dreamed of. One of my biggest dreams came true that evening. And running the victory lap I was very emotional. It's something I'll never forget.
One her World Record attempt in Split:
I was surprised. It was my first record attempt that year. I wasn't used to it. I forgot the feeling and timing for the height. But being motivated by your own crowd can help you do crazy stuff.
On her decision to take the 2011 indoor season off:
It's a personal decision based upon the busy schedules of recent years. I think it will be goaded for me to take a rest, mostly mentally, from competitions and traveling. And then be fresh for next summer. There are very important competitions coming. I think that I wont lose too much but I will gain a lot.
I won't be resting and doing nothing. I'll just be trying to improve in training. And then I'll start fresh in May with competitions.
It’s not a problem for me to train. It’s physically hard of course but it’s not as exhausting as competitions. Every competition I give maximum, and when I come home I feel exhausted and emotionally empty.
Her highs and lows of the 2010 season:
Definitely winning in Barcelona and competing in Split. Of course winning all the Diamond League meets was extraordinary. Chaunte (Lowe) didn’t make my life any easier this year.
My disappointments were every time I didn’t win. I struggled through the season trying to find my shape. Even in Barcelona I wasn’t in top shape. It was all mostly a big fight against myself, my demons. And I appreciate the fact that I’m here and that they’re even considering me as the Athlete of the Year.
On the World Record:
The world record for me is like a pair of perfect shoes in the story. When you’re a little child, and you want them so much, they look so nice. And you know that one day you’ll probably have the opportunity to buy them. It’s not something I’m stressed out about. It’s a sweet worry.
Will she own those shoes one day?
I hope so. It’s very hard to say for sure. Right now I’m heading in the right direction. And that’s enough for me.
Allyson Felix (USA), three-time World 200m champion, 2010 Samsung Diamond Race winner in the 200m and 400m, finalist for the World Athlete of the Year
On whether she will continue to double?
I’m leaning towards running both, first seeing how nationals go and then deciding from there. I don’t need to qualify for the 200 (at the US championships) so I can focus on other things while I’m there.
Which event will be her primary focus?
I think it’s going to be a bit of a balance. So I want to see how I do in two events. I’ll never get bored with the 200 (laughs) and it will be my focus heading into the Olympics. That doesn’t rule out the possibility of running both events at the Olympics, it’s just saying that (the 200) is my passion, what I would like to do well in most.
Her own assessment of the 2010 season:
It was decent. The 400 really never came together the way I wanted it to. Strategy-wise. I’m still learning there and I need to speed up with that process. But I felt good about it and going into next year learned a lot of things and I can improve on a lot. But I was pleased.
Is there a possibility she would run four events at the 2012 Olympics, the 200, 400 and both relays?
Oh definitely. I love relays. Obviously the most difficult part will be being a part of them. That’s why the 100 is always going to stay a part of my plan each year. If I’m able to get on the relay, there is no way I would turn it down.
Christophe Lemaitre (FRA), European 100 and 200m champion
His impressions on his 2010 season:
It was a much better season than I thought it would be. I won everything at the continental level, three gold medals at the European Championships, I won the title of the European Athlete of the Year and in addition to that, I also won the Continental Cup. A national record in the 100m and equaling the record at 200m. So there’s nothing at all that I can feel regretful for this year.
Does he consider himself among the world’s best?
On the world level, 9.97 doesn’t allow me to be among the top of the 100 metres. At a world championships level it does allow me to be a potential finalist. To run under 10 (seconds) is a minimal requirement to be part of the best of the world. I’m still not part of the best of the best.
Jeremy Wariner (USA), 2004 Olympic 400m champion, 2010 Samsung Diamond Race winner, world leader at 44.13
His overall assessment of the 2010 season:
Early in the season I felt a little rusty. It was a little nerve-wracking not being able to show people that I was coming back. But after the U.S. championships I kept running faster with each race.
It was good to end the season in the low 44s. It was a bit disappointing not to get in to the 43s, but that will come next season.
Goals for 2011:
First to stay healthy, then go into the US championships and make the US team for the World championships, and then to regain my title there. And hopefully to get into the 43s a couple of times.
On his plans for the 2011 indoor season:
Normally I would say no, but I’m thinking now that I might run in Fayetteville and if I’m feeling good, I might go for the World indoor record. But coach (Clyde) Hart doesn’t know that yet.
If I do run indoors, it’ll be just that one race. Just to break up my season a bit.
On what was missing that kept him from running sub-44:
Not having off-season work. I didn’t start training until the winter since I had (arthroscopic) knee surgery in the fall. And then I had a bone bruise. So my main goal was getting my strength back.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
