Heidler, Grøvdal and Majewski speak ahead of the 2nd SPAR European Team Championships in Bergen – European Athletics (EAA) – News

Germany’s Betty Heidler, Norway’s Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal and Poland’s Tomasz Majewski were guests at Friday’s European Athletics press conference ahead of this weekend's SPAR European Team Championships in Bergen, Norway.

Here are excerpts from the press conference with the athletes.

Betty Heidler (GER)

Q: How do you see your competition as the women’s Hammer here is one of the best for global depth with three of the world’s top four in Sunday’s event?
A: It’s not my first competition this summer against most of the girls in the competition. I’ve had a lot of meets with them and I’m looking forward to competing with them again on Sunday. I think the quality of the competition should lead to some good results. I’m coming here in good shape and I’m looking forward to being either first or second and to get a lot of points for my team.

Q: How far do you think you will need to throw to win?
A: Over 75 metres for first or second, that’s for sure.

Q: Sadly, the world record holder Anita Wlodarczyk (from Poland) will not now be here so does that make it easier for you?
A: We prepared especially for this competition but even if Anita is not going to be here there is Tatyana Lusenko, from Russia, and Belarus’ Dariya Pchelnik. Like me, both of these girls have thrown over 75 metres this season so it’s going to be a hard competition. I’m looking forward to throwing over 75 metres, perhaps 76 metres here.

Q: How do you feel about possibly throwing in the rain?
A: I have had a lot of competitions in the rain and I must tell you that it doesn’t make much difference to me whether it’s raining or sunny, I will do my competition and also everybody has the same weather conditions to deal with. It can be raining or cold or sunny, it doesn’t matter too much.

Q: Can Germany win the SPAR European Team Championships again this year?
A: We had a team talk this morning and we want to be the winners again at the end of Sunday. We have a nice team, a young team but with a lot of good athletes. I hope, and I think, that we will get the first place again.

Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal (NOR)

Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal of Norway talks about her plans for the SPAR European Team Championships starting on Saturday.

Q: How are you feeling as you’ve got a busy weekend because you are running both the 3000m Steeplechase and 5000m?
A: I’m looking forward to it and the Steeplechase comes first, on Saturday, and it’s my favourite event. This will be a good chance to get a good time and get some good points for Norway. It’s potentially going to be a very good race as there are some great girls in it. Last year, I was third in both the Steeplechase and 5000m (in the First League) here and, it’s difficult to say, but I hope I can be in front of the Steeplechase and run fast.

Q: You were talking about the Steeplechase so what are your hopes for the 5000m?
A: I hope to improve my personal best (15:29.82) but if I can’t do that then I hope I can be at the front of the race.

Q: Last year, there were great celebrations when Norway qualified for the SPAR Team Championships, what will make you happy this year?
A: Last year was great because we did so well. This year we’ve also got a good team but obviously it’s a much harder competition. Hopefully, we can stay in the top division but it’s going to be tough.

Tomasz Majewski (POL)

Q: I think it’s your first ‘European-only’ Shot Put competition this year so what are your thoughts?
A: No Chris Cantwell (the United States’ world indoor and outdoor champion), no Americans, so it will be much easier. I’ve still got some good guys to throw against like Pavel Lyzhyn (from Belarus) and, of course, Ralf Bartels (Germany’s reigning European champion) but I’m hoping I can repeat my win of last year. I hope there will be no rain because it could be a great competition, if there is heavy rain we will be moving a lot slower (in the circle) and I came here wanting to throw over 21 metres.

Q: How are you in your preparations for the European Athletics Championships?
A: I’m in the middle at the moment. After this event I will do the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Eugene (on July 3) and the Polish Championships. I will then have a two week training camp before Barcelona in Spala. I’m expecting my form to improve during the second half of the season.

Q: Is beating the 22-metre barrier possible this weekend?
A: Not yet. I want to break this barrier though and I hope that it will beaten at the European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.

Q: Where do you see Poland finishing as a team?
A: There are many emerging talents in Poland now. I think we will finish between places five and three (Poland were fifth in 2009) but I hope that we will rise to the occasion and be on the podium this year because we have a great team. There are only a few events where we are going to get a small number of points, there are not many but a couple, where we might only get a point or two, but I still believe that we can get on the podium.

Q: You are a big guy and have won an Olympic gold medal; on a trip like this do you have get your own room or still have to share?
A: (laughter) I always share my room with my friend Piotr Małachowski (the Discus silver medallist at both the 2008 Olympic Games and 2009 World Championships). It’s no problem, we get a big bed, two big beds hopefully.

---

European Athletics (EAA) – News