News22 Nov 2009


Vlasic, Richards and Kozmus meet the press in Monaco

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Sanya Richards and Blanka Vlasic meet with the media in Monaco (© Bob Ramsak)

MonteCarlo, MonacoWorld High Jump champion Blanka Vlasic, World 400m champion Sanya Richards, and World Hammer Throw champion Primoz Kozmus met with the media at the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco this morning, just a few hours ahead of this evening’s World Athletics Gala.

Here are some things the athletes had to say:

Blanka Vlasic (CRO), 2009 World champion in the High Jump

On the main difference between her approach to 2008 and 2009 -
I decided to relax a little bit more and enjoy the competitions, and all the moments more. I cried the day before the final in Berlin because I felt so pressured. But I still enjoyed every moment.

On her silver medal performance at the 2008 Olympics –
It’s not a black spot on my career. I jumped 2.05 and won silver. I’ve had worse competitions in my career

On her favourite places to compete –
At home of course in Split, the women’s high jump meeting we have is just amazing. There were 12,000 people there last year. And in Zagreb it’s always great. Everywhere I go I feel a great energy and feel the crowd’s energy. I feel like they really want me to jump well.

On her plans for 2010 –
I’ll begin my season at the end of January. Of course there is the World indoor championships and then the European championships in Barcelona. Mainly I want to work on my consistency, and improve the average of my jumps.


Sanya Richards (USA), 2009 World champion in the 400m

Biggest difference for her between 2008, when she won Olympic bronze, and 2009 –
After Beijing I did a lot of reflecting. And I realised that I had to recapture that element of the sport that I lost. I became too focused on winning, on medals, on the money. And I think that (last year) I just recaptured the fun of track and field.

On her plans for 2010 –
Next season, I’m really looking forward to the Diamond League. I also want to run fast 400s and 200s. I think it’s time to lower my American record (48.70). And maybe go under 22 seconds in the 200.

Her thought’s on Marita Koch’s World record (47.60) –
It’s not something I think about very much. I’ll have to become more consistent in the 48s before I can really start thinking more about it.


Primoz Kozmuz (SLO), 2009 World champion, reigning Olympic champion in the hammer Throw

On his decision a few months ago to retire from the sport –
I just don’t see any more motivation. I’m the Olympic and World champion, so it’s good to go out on top. And the World record (86.74) is too far for me. I began thinking about it after Beijing, and was thinking about all through this season as well.

It’s not a definite decision, but at this moment I feel as though it is. I’ll decide in the spring.

On his efforts to give his event a high profile and more visibility –
We are always fighting to be on the main stage, but we’re always put outside of if. Either before the competition, or separate from it, or outside the stadium.

On the finest moment of his career –
Of course, winning the Olympic title in Beijing. And this year’s World title. But there were other meetings that were also memorable for a variety of reasons.

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
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