Blanka Vlasic jubilant with 2.04m in Zürich (© Getty Images)
Arriving in the German capital with a 24 meeting win streak, World high jump champion Blanka Vlasic admits that expectations are high as she begins her pursuit of the USD $1 million ÅF Golden League Jackpot. But she insists that she’s taking the Jackpot chase, along with her lead in to the Olympic Games, just one step at a time, beginning with tomorrow’s DKB-ISTAF meeting in Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
“I always remind everyone that they can expect what they want, but in the end of the day it is my expectations that are the highest,” said the 24-year-old Croatian star, who in the last nine months took both the World indoor and outdoor crowns. “The difference is that I’m more realistic with my expectations.”
Those expectations, both hers and those of others, come with good reason. Vlasic won all but one competition outdoors last year, cleared two metres in 17 of 19 competitions, and bettered 2.03m in seven of those, to end the year as one of the most dominant figures in the sport.
“It’s not easy when you’re a favourite,” she said, but accepts the role as a ‘necessary evil’ after achieving what she’s set out do to. “But that does make things more interesting, and more of a challenge. And I like challenges. Last year I began to get used to being a favourite. Now I’m used to it, along with all the attention, and the reporters. And that’s all fine, it goes with success and becoming a favourite.”
But favourite role notwithstanding, Vlasic is anxious to get back onto the big athletic stage.
“I’m happy that everything is starting again, that the show is starting again,” she said. “It’s a big honour just to participate. I have a big year behind me, and I’m very curious about what I can do and how high I can go.”
Vlasic said she’s made substantial progress in her training regimen, adding to her anticipation ahead of Sunday’s outing, her third of the season. At her opener in Doha in early May, Vlasic scaled 2.03m, currently leading the world.
“As the season begins, I’m very intrigued, and a little nervous. But a positive kind of nervous. My technique and training routine were all the same, just the level of training is different. I’m stronger, I’m progressing in training. Now my job is to show it on the field.”
Vlasic said she’s taking nothing for granted though, with a formidable field assembled in Berlin.
“My first goal is always to try to win, then to go higher. Because it’s not an easy job to win. This weekend just about all the best girls are here.”
But none have scaled the heights that Vlasic - who upped her career best to 2.07m last year in Stockholm - has over the past few seasons. Indeed, 2007 also witnessed several attempts at Stefka Konstadinova’s 2.09 World record set in 1987 when Vlasic wasn’t yet four years old.
“It was a very nice experience,” she fondly recalls of her attempts at a would-be World record 2.10m. “I’m very happy whenever I have the chance to jump at that height. It’s always a great experience.” Among her attempts were a pair of near misses in Brussels. “I was surprised how close I was there. That was when I knew that it was possible.”
With another stab at the ÅF Golden League Jackpot – last year she won at five of the six meetings – and her third Olympic appearance on the Horizon, it’s a big year for the popular Croatian, but her goals, she said, are always of a more general nature.
“Winning the AF Golden League would be nice of course, and to win the Olympics. But before the season, my plan is always just to improve on the previous season. I think that if I’m relaxed, then these other things will come.”
Vlasic is planning a busy competitive schedule in her Beijing build up. In addition to ÅF Golden League stops in Oslo, Rome and Paris, she’ll be in Ostrava, Moscow, Instanbul (for the European Cup), Bydgoszcz, Madrid and Stockholm in upcoming weeks. It’s a schedule which suits her just fine.
“I want to jump in as many meetings as I can. It’s the best way to get the feeling for big jumps. If I can jump 2.03, 2.04 and 2.05 at several meets before the Olympic Games, then it will be easier to reach the higher heights in Beijing.”
But for now, her focus is clearly on Berlin’s Olympic stadium, and little else.
“To me every competition is the most important. When that one’s over, then I think about the next one.”
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
