© Stade de France ®
Macary, Zublena et Regembal
Costantini - Architects
ADAGP - Paris - 2002
|
|
COMPETITION  PORTRAITS |
 MESNIL: “I’M GOING FOR GOLD”
Paris 2003 Saint-Denis
Romain Mesnil is one of the home nation’s best chances for a medal at these World Championships. He spoke to us before the pole vault qualifiers begin on Tuesday.
Would you say your performances this season make you the favourite for these World Championships?
Sure. Being considered the favourite gives me confidence. My season has been excellent up until now. I’ve almost always cleared 5.70m and gone over twice at 5.90m. I couldn’t be more ready but you have to stay focused because at each new competition you have to start all over again.
How do you stop yourself from becoming overconfident?
I take risks to keep myself in check. In training, even when I’m tired I carry on working to progress. I use hard poles or I jump in tough conditions - into a head wind for example. In competition too, I sometimes start with the bar very high like I did in Zurich. If it had worked out I would’ve put pressure on all my opponents. They are the kinds of challenges I like to set myself.
At what height will you set the bar for your first jump?
Assuming the weather is good I think I’ll come in at 5.70m. It’s high but I’ve managed all season and I want to keep my wits about me. There’s nothing more dangerous than starting the qualifiers with a bar set lower than usual. You tend to use a more supple pole and not give it 100%. Next thing you know you’ve had your three attempts and it’s all over. The hardest thing will be to wait for the others to reach that height.
How did Zurich go? What is a good test before the World Championships?
No. I hope it’s not like the World Championships, because the pole vault competition was a bit disappointing. Markov was testing out his poles and Lobinger was coming back from injury. Britts did well, clearing 5.80m to win. He’s coming on well and was the only one who used the meet as a rehearsal for the real thing.
What are your aims in Paris?
To win gold. The fact that I’ve cleared 5.90m twice makes me really confident but as I keep saying, come the day those records won’t count for anything. I’ll have to prove myself all over again. If I miss out on gold and make the podium I’ll still be happy.
How high can you vault?
It’s difficult to say, but I know I’ll never clear 6.20m. I don’t have the physical and mental strength of Bubka. He was just awesome in the way he cleared 6 metres with such regularity and set a world record of 6.14m. That’s dream land for me but I do hope to make 6 metres quite quickly.
|
|
|
|
