Few athletes dominate any event like Blanka Vlasic does the high jump. The current European Athlete of the year bagged 18 of the 19 outdoor events in 2007, and for Beijing she’ll be red hot favourite.
“I’m very much aware that somebody can come out and beat me no matter how big a favourite I am at the Olympics,” Vlasic said prior to the games.”So I will be preparing by concentrating on the worst possible scenario – needing to jump 2.10 and beat the world record in order to win the gold medal.”
Still 24, this will be her third Olympic games after she competed in 2000 as a 16-year-old and in 2004 – when she failed to win a podium position.
Vlasic is the daughter of Josko Vlasic – a decathlete who retains the Croatian high jump record. Standing at 6ft 3, the peppy and attractive 24-year-old sure has reasons to be grateful for her genes
Her opponents are very aware of the challenge that awaits them.
“I am ready to beat all my opponents, including the unbeatable Vlasic” said Italian Antonietta Di Martino, arguably her closest rival.
After successful jumps, Vlasic likes to thank the audience with a little dance and finishes it off by striking an imposing pose. With gold practically demanded, the question is – does she have what it takes to surpass her own jumps by the 3cms required to set a new world record?
source:yellmalta.com
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