Ariane Friedrich at a DKB-ISTAF press conference in Berlin (© DKB-ISTAF organisers)
Berlin has absolute priority for Ariane Friedrich this summer. First there is the DKB ISTAF on 14 June, which again is the opening meeting of the ÅF Golden League. Then the German capital hosts the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in August. Both will take place in the Olympic Stadium, which could on both occasions attract a capacity crowd.
Organisers of the DKB ISTAF promoted their event at a press conference in Berlin today, describing it as the ‘One day World Championships’.
“A large number of the athletes who will compete at the DKB ISTAF will also be involved in the World Championships,” said Meeting Director Gerhard Janetzky, who expects that interest of athletes to come to the DKB ISTAF will be even higher this year because of the championships in the same venue.
Recently-minted European indoor champion in the High Jump, Ariane Friedrich, agreed with Janetzky.
“This meeting will be the best possible test you can get for the World Championships. It will be interesting for every athlete this season to get into the DKB ISTAF to test the venue. It would be foolish not to take this opportunity.”
A chance for spectators to meet the athletes
With more than 67,000 spectators, the DKB ISTAF was the meeting with the best crowd turnout last year. “We have just started ticket sales and we are currently offering a spring special where you can buy certain tickets with a deduction of 50 per cent,” Janetzky explained. He expects to get at least 50,000 spectators on 14th June. For the first time spectators with tickets of the lower tier on the back straight will have access to a fan mixed zone, allowing them to enter an area where it will be possible to meet the athletes.
Athletes that could be met by the spectators will include Friedrich and possibly her Croatian rival Blanka Vlasic, the reigning World champion.
“So far we have not signed any athletes. We are waiting for that until the beginning of the season in May,” said Janetzky, whose meeting will feature the 10 ÅF Golden League events plus another eight disciplines, which are still to be determined. “We want to present a number of great duels, for example Ariane Friedrich against Blanka Vlasic in the High Jump.”
With more experience under her belt, Friedrich hoping to make both Berlin appearances count
“Last year in Berlin it was the first time I jumped two metres outdoors. That was simply terrific,” said Friedrich, who finished second behind Vlasic. “It was even better because of the masses of spectators. I will always remember that because if you jump two metres, it is so special. So I really enjoy coming back to Berlin – and this time I want to win.”
In the meanwhile Friedrich has beaten Vlasic on three occasions: First when she smashed the jackpot hopes of the Croatian in rainy Brussels last September, then at the Karlsruhe indoor meeting and finally at the recent European Indoor Championships.
“I learned a lot last year when I was competing at major championships for the first time,” Friedrich said. “You get experience. Additionally I was somehow too focused when competing last year. Because of that I was not relaxed enough. Now I have much more fun competing at big events, which is important – I want to have fun. Because of this I am more relaxed.”
Regarding the World Championships, the 25 year-old said: “Of course it will be my aim to win a medal. But it is very difficult to predict anything at this stage, because it will depend on a number of factors: How well do I get through the training camp, will I stay healthy and can I start my season well. But I definitely want to have fun.”
To have double fun in Berlin this year is the aim – first at the DKB ISTAF, then at the World Championships.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
