Isinbayeva's Favorite Things

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.yelenaisinbaeva.com/en/news/ ... ite-things

23 Nov 2009
In this candid interview, Yelena shares her thoughts on her favourite things – from her top athletics venues to the food she likes best. She also details how she came to take up the pole vault and what it’s like to compete at one of the world’s big athletics events...

What is your favourite athletics venue in the world?
Actually I have more than one favorite athletics venue. I would have to say my favorite venues are Zurich, Monte-Carlo, Donetsk (that would be the indoor competition in the Ukraine), Shanghai and Rome. Each competition has its special meaning for me and each venue has something so different from the others. So when I go to each of these competitions I already know I can expect something special to happen and I just know I will perform my best. I cannot really describe it. It’s the atmosphere, the crowds, the competition. It really gives me a lot of energy when I know I am about to compete at each of these venues.

And I also wanted to mention Daegu, Korea. Their Grand Prix competition is also one of my favorites. The crowds are very supportive of me and I have been coming there now for four years. I really enjoy the atmosphere in Daegu and the stadium is wonderful. I cannot wait to compete there in 2011 when it’s the IAAF World Championships!

And your favourite city or country? Why?
My favorite country without a doubt is Russia followed by Monte-Carlo. And I love both places and in particular Moscow because there is so much energy and there is everything happening all the time in that city and my hometown of Volgograd is also very special for obvious reasons, because it is where my family and close friends are living. I have such wonderful memories of Volgograd and the surrounding area. Well Monaco is a beautiful place to live also. With the beach, the harbor and all the nice shops and restaurants. Its like no other place in the world.

Roughly how many miles do you travel every year?
Oh that is a difficult question for me to answer. But it really feels like I spend more time in airports and planes between May through September each year. Plus during certain periods I have commitments for sponsors and obligations to do, so its not always travel to competitions. I would guess and say I travel close to 100,000 miles in total a year.

How do you kill time while travelling – reading, listening to music, watching DVDs?
I spend a lot of time sleeping on planes for the longer flights. But if I am doing something to pass the time, then I am either reading a book or listening to my Ipod. I do not spend a lot of time watching movies on flights. I would rather listen to music or read a novel.

How did you first come to take up the pole vault?
Well I first started as a gymnast in sports school in Russia. But as I became older and taller, it was clear I could not continue in gymnastics. I was growing too fast compared to the other girls. When I could no longer workout with the gymnast I was sort of unsure what I could do. All I know is that I loved sports and wanted to continue doing something with sports. One day I walked into the sports school and a coach saw me and told me to pick up the pole sitting next to the track and to start to run with it. At first it was uncomfortable for me because I really had no idea about athletics and I knew nothing about this event. But very quickly I became comfortable with the training, the drills and my technique improved quite a lot in a short period of time.

What have been the best moments in your career so far?
Without a doubt, both Olympic finals in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. And most recently, my world record in Zurich this past summer. Those moments I would say are the best of my career so far.

Who are your best friends in athletics?
One of my best friends in athletics would be Marina Kuptsova. She won the women’s silver medal in high jump at the World Championships in Paris 2003. She has had some tendon injuries over the past couple of years, but we were always close when we competed and we remain good friends today. And Tatiana Lebedeva is also a good friend of mine. We come from the same hometown.

Describe the atmosphere at a big athletics event like the Olympic Games?
From my experiences at the major championships, like the Olympic Games or a World Championship, first of all my preparation is no different than my approach for the Grand Prix one-day meetings such as Zurich, London or Rome. My approach and preparation for all competitions is basically the same. Okay, there may be slight changes in my training routine and at certain times of the year the training is adjusted to allow me to have more rest so I can maximize my performances. But the preparation overall is the same basic approach. But I would say everything else around me for the championships is different. At an Olympics the security measures are incredible. The fact that you are living in the Olympic Village with other athletes from all over the world, that is different and very special. But I would say the closer and closer you get to your own competition starting, with qualification rounds, semi-finals and finals. It is like a constant building towards the big performance. You really have to manage your emotions and your energy. I would say that is the big challenge when it comes to the major championships, managing your emotions, your energy and focusing on your ultimate goal. For the one-day meetings, you come in and do what you are suppose to do. For the championships, it is a longer period of time and you have to adjust and manage yourself for a longer period of time.

How do you relax while at a competition?
I mainly focus on myself and block out all distractions around me. I do not think I am any different in that aspect than any other athlete. When the competition starts I am only concerned about myself and my performance. I am quite good at doing this and so it is easy to relax and just feel very calm.

What is your favourite sport?
Besides athletics, I would say my favorite sports are rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. I really enjoy watching those competitions.

And your favourite sportsman/woman?
For me personally, I think Sergey Bubka is one of my favorite sportsmen. What he did for not only his event, but for sports was incredible. And still today he continues to support athletics and all sports within the Olympic movement.

And Li Ning is also another sportsman who I have come to appreciate. When you know more about his career as a gymnast and his accomplishments during his gymnastics career and after he retired from sport, he is quite a remarkable person.

And one more sportsman, or rather sportswoman I would say is Alina Kabayeva. She is probably the most successful rhythmic gymnast in Russia. She is also a remarkable person and one of my favorites to watch while competing.

Do you have a favourite holiday destination?
Well, when my coach, Vitaliy Petrov, gives me some time off – which is rare – I enjoy getting away to some place nice and sunny. Recently I went to a city called Sanya on Hainan Island in the South China Sea for a small holiday. It was so nice to be on the beach, by the pool, doing some jet-skiing and other day trips around the island with friends. It was just what I needed after a long season.

What is your favourite food?
I love Asian food, especially sushi and tempura. But I also like to eat Italian food. There is nothing better than really good Italian food!