All smiles - Myriam Soumare at the LOC press conference in Paris (© Bob Ramsak)
A record 630 athletes from 46 countries have entered the 31st European Athletics Indoor Championships which get underway on Friday morning at the Palais Omnisport Paris-Bercy in the French capital.
This weekend’s event marks the second time the venue, popularly known by its acronym POPB, hosts the continental indoor championships, and the fifth time France hosts the event. Even by then, the southeastern Parisian arena was no stranger to athletics, having already hosted the IAAF World Indoor Games in 1989, just 11 months after opening its doors, and the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 1997.
Tickets for both Saturday and Sunday sessions have all been sold, with just a few remaining for Friday’s opening day, promising yet another sensational atmosphere – BOPB’s athletics configuration can accommodate 8659 spectators - to cap the European indoor season.
European Athletics President Hansjorg Wirz, the Area governing body’s Director General Christian Milz, French Federation President Bernard Ansalem, and Paris Deputy Mayor Juan Vullermoz met with the media this afternoon at the city’s 12eme arrondissement Town Hall. Some of the athletes expecting to star this weekend attended as well: Teddy Tamgho (FRA), Renaud Lavillenie (FRA), Myriam Soumare (FRA), Roman Sebrle (CZE), Antonietta Di Martino (ITA), and Christina Vukicevic (NOR).
Tamgho, who broke his own World indoor record in the Triple Jump with his 17.91m leap at the French championships late last month, isn’t feeling too pressured about expectations that he’ll break the 18-metre barrier.
“I’ve got the World record twice already, so now I just want the victory.”
Fans will get a double dose of Tamgho who will also compete in the Long Jump.
I’ve already jumped 8.01m in my first competition. I’m not in the top-three in Europe, but that’s not important. The first goal will be to survive the qualification. After that it will be all about fighting.”
Soumare, a triple medallist at last summer’s European championships in Barcelona, expressed cautious optimism about her chances in the 60m.
“I’m feeling very well, I’m in good shape and very impatient to run,” said Soumare, who improved her PB to 7.19 at the French championships last month. “It’s good motivation to succeed in Bercy. I know that I’ve the fourth best time in Europe in this event by I’ve no idea who are the first three. And to be honest, I don’t care. In a major championship, everybody has a chance before the race.
Sebrle, who is targeting a fourth victory in the heptathlon, believes that despite age (36), he’s not ready to be counted out yet.
“I’m old now, but I have experience and still some good results. My opponents are younger, the can perform well. But I’m still there and in good shape.” Sebrle, who is still the only man is history to break the 9000-point barrier in the Decathlon, said he won’t be sorry to see someone break his legendary mark. “This year I’ll have the World record for 10 years. That’s good for me. It’ll be good for athletics if someone else can break it.”
Vukicevic is the fastest European in the 60m Hurdles at 7.90, but doesn’t want to assume the favourite’s role.
“I don’t pay too much attention to that. It’s an event where everything can happen. It’s short, fast, only five hurdles. I’ll be ready.”
On the other hand, Di Martino, who arrived in Paris as the world leader in the High Jump at 2.04m, doesn’t mind the expectations her personal best carries.
“I’m the favourite for gold, I know it, but I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve already jumped 2.04 this season so I’m feeling relieved. I just hope to do well because I’ve not been very successful the last two years mainly due to injuries.”
Lavillenie, the premiere pole vaulter in the World in 2010, is looking forward to his title defence on home turf.
“People in France are expecting a lot from us since Barcelona last summer. Jumping at home is more demanding, with a lot of requests before the event, but on the other hand it gives you more support. My first goal will be to survive the qualifications because I failed at that stage at the World indoors in Doha last year.”
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
This weekend’s event marks the second time the venue, popularly known by its acronym POPB, hosts the continental indoor championships, and the fifth time France hosts the event. Even by then, the southeastern Parisian arena was no stranger to athletics, having already hosted the IAAF World Indoor Games in 1989, just 11 months after opening its doors, and the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 1997.
Tickets for both Saturday and Sunday sessions have all been sold, with just a few remaining for Friday’s opening day, promising yet another sensational atmosphere – BOPB’s athletics configuration can accommodate 8659 spectators - to cap the European indoor season.
European Athletics President Hansjorg Wirz, the Area governing body’s Director General Christian Milz, French Federation President Bernard Ansalem, and Paris Deputy Mayor Juan Vullermoz met with the media this afternoon at the city’s 12eme arrondissement Town Hall. Some of the athletes expecting to star this weekend attended as well: Teddy Tamgho (FRA), Renaud Lavillenie (FRA), Myriam Soumare (FRA), Roman Sebrle (CZE), Antonietta Di Martino (ITA), and Christina Vukicevic (NOR).
Tamgho, who broke his own World indoor record in the Triple Jump with his 17.91m leap at the French championships late last month, isn’t feeling too pressured about expectations that he’ll break the 18-metre barrier.
“I’ve got the World record twice already, so now I just want the victory.”
Fans will get a double dose of Tamgho who will also compete in the Long Jump.
I’ve already jumped 8.01m in my first competition. I’m not in the top-three in Europe, but that’s not important. The first goal will be to survive the qualification. After that it will be all about fighting.”
Soumare, a triple medallist at last summer’s European championships in Barcelona, expressed cautious optimism about her chances in the 60m.
“I’m feeling very well, I’m in good shape and very impatient to run,” said Soumare, who improved her PB to 7.19 at the French championships last month. “It’s good motivation to succeed in Bercy. I know that I’ve the fourth best time in Europe in this event by I’ve no idea who are the first three. And to be honest, I don’t care. In a major championship, everybody has a chance before the race.
Sebrle, who is targeting a fourth victory in the heptathlon, believes that despite age (36), he’s not ready to be counted out yet.
“I’m old now, but I have experience and still some good results. My opponents are younger, the can perform well. But I’m still there and in good shape.” Sebrle, who is still the only man is history to break the 9000-point barrier in the Decathlon, said he won’t be sorry to see someone break his legendary mark. “This year I’ll have the World record for 10 years. That’s good for me. It’ll be good for athletics if someone else can break it.”
Vukicevic is the fastest European in the 60m Hurdles at 7.90, but doesn’t want to assume the favourite’s role.
“I don’t pay too much attention to that. It’s an event where everything can happen. It’s short, fast, only five hurdles. I’ll be ready.”
On the other hand, Di Martino, who arrived in Paris as the world leader in the High Jump at 2.04m, doesn’t mind the expectations her personal best carries.
“I’m the favourite for gold, I know it, but I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve already jumped 2.04 this season so I’m feeling relieved. I just hope to do well because I’ve not been very successful the last two years mainly due to injuries.”
Lavillenie, the premiere pole vaulter in the World in 2010, is looking forward to his title defence on home turf.
“People in France are expecting a lot from us since Barcelona last summer. Jumping at home is more demanding, with a lot of requests before the event, but on the other hand it gives you more support. My first goal will be to survive the qualifications because I failed at that stage at the World indoors in Doha last year.”
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
