Ariane Friedrich: Barcelona is as important for me as it was Berlin – European Athletics (EAA) – News –

In an exclusive interview with the organisers of this summer's European Athletics Championships, which will be held in Barcelona between July 26 – August 1, German High Jump star Ariane Friedrich talks about her hopes and reflects on what has happened in the last 12 months.

How are your preparations going for the 2010 season after the knee injury?
It's going great. I'm very happy to be back on track. The pain in my knee is gone and I can train again, which is the most important thing. For now, I just hope to stay healthy. I'm so looking forward to the summer season, I can't wait.

How did you cope with missing the World Indoor Championships in March?
It was a horrible experience. I cried a lot and didn't even watch the competition, that's the way I deal with things. It's just that I prepared so well and then couldn't compete, that really hurt.

During competition, you don't focus on your rivals either?
Yes, that's true. I don't watch them jump, I try not to pay attention to them and only focus on myself. It's for a simple reason, that way I don't get distracted. Some people might say I appear to be Arrogant, I really don't care. In the past I was worried about what people might think about me, what they will say or write, but today I just focus on my performance: that's what it's all about, that's what really counts, to jump as high as possible.

When will you make your outdoor debut?
I will jump at the Baunatal Classic Meet in Germany (a European Athletics Outdoor Classic meeting) on 2 June. Training is going very well for now, although I still need to confirm it at a competition. My goal for the first meeting is at least 1.95m.

What is your main objective this year?
Definitely the European Athletics Championships, especially after the unsatisfactory winter season. I'm very motivated and my goal is to achieve a medal. It's not going to be an easy competition.  My rivals will also be in top form and we will be fighting for the places on the podium. It all depends on the day as the world's best high jumpers will participate at the Europeans: Blanka (Vlasic), Ruth (Beitia), the Russians and even Tia (Hellebaut) will be back. Any medal is fine, I guess. The best athlete will win and any of us is good enough.

You mentioned Tia Hellebaut's comeback. What do you think about that?
(Editor's note: The Belgian high jumper is the reigning European champion and retired after winning the 2008 Olympic Games gold medal. She announced her comeback earlier this year after becoming a mother.)
I'm actually very happy she's back. It's a good thing for athletics. She's also a very nice person. I got to know her better in Berlin last year (Hellebaut attended the World Championships as a guest of the IAAF and the local organisers) and now I look forward to competing against her.

Barcelona is as important for me as it was Berlin. There's no difference. I will have to show my finest performances to achieve my goal and I will prepare 100 percent.

Are you satisfied with the bronze medal in Berlin last August?
Very, very satisfied and happy; 2.02m is a great performance. People must understand that we have to train hard every day to jump on that level. It's not God-given, nothing natural. You have to work hard and stay focused.

Did some people in Germany expect more of you?
The truth is that I didn't sleep for two nights ahead of the final. I was just too excited. I can tell you one thing: I would never want to change life with a football player. I couldn't cope with the pressure and expectations. It was just too much for me. I prefer my privacy.

Was Berlin then a bad experience for you?
No, not at all, but I'm just happy it's over. The weeks before the Championships were just too stressful for me. I wasn't even able to have some coffee or chat with my friends. Random people came up to me saying, "Aren't you Ariane Friedrich?" that's just not my world. I'm better off with the Europeans in Spain this year. No, seriously, the only thing I heard before the event was "World Champion', World Champion". It was just too much and the expectations were too high, that's why I'm very happy with my bronze medal in the end.

 Do you think that Ruth Beitia will have the same problems competing on home soil in Barcelona?
It depends, every athlete copes differently with these situations, but it's definitely not going to be easy. Sometimes the home advantage can even destroy your competition, it's a double-edged sword. However, Ruth is a very experienced athlete so we will see how she deals with the pressure.

Looking back at the preparation for Berlin, is there anything you will be changing ahead of this summer's European Athletics Championships?
No, definitely not. Barcelona is as important for me as it was Berlin. There's no difference. I will have to show my finest performances to achieve my goal and I will prepare 100 percent.

Your last promotional campaign said: "2,10m…I'm chasing you!" Is that your motto, is achieving the world record your biggest goal?
Well, the world record has not been beaten for a long time (23 years on 30 August) for a good reason. It's an amazing performance, brilliant! Every athlete would like to obtain it, no doubt, but I would prefer to clear 2.07m than carry on failing at 2.10m. At this level you have to go step-by-step and that means centimetre-by-centimetre.

 European Athletics (EAA) – News –