Oh well … I hope somebody other than me reads it.
On 3 June 2005, Новые Известия (New Izvestiya) wrote:Svetlana Feofanova: "I hate to receive sympathy"
OXANA TONKACHEYEVA
In contrast to the pole vaulting champion and record holder of the Athenian Olympiad, Yelena Isinbayeva, who in the recent months received the title "best of the best" in all possible sport nominations and also had time to establish four world records this year, Svetlana Feofanova "hid" from the eyes of the outside world. In silence and peace she prepares for the coming season. But, after speaking with the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, the correspondent of "New Izvestia" came to the conclusion that our first world record setter in this form of sport will still show her class.
Новые Известия: Sveta, you know that Valeriy Georgiyevich Kulichenko, state trainer of the Russian light athletics team, calls you Gagarin. He says, "What Sveta accomplished in her form of sport is generally not valued. She is like Gagarin to jumping". A very accurate description, in my view.
Светлана Феофанова: You know, in our doorway there is one boy. Until recently he smoked, he behaved like a hooligan. In a word, a hoodlum. But now, it appears, he became another person – carried away by water polo. He says, "I want to attain something through sport, like our Feofanova." Truly a balm for my soul. This indeed makes me happy. And indeed, many girls are sent into our sport based on my example – this is a fact. They say that now, after the failure of the American woman Dragila (the Olympic champion of Sydney did not even transfer into the finale in Athens – Editor), only Isinbayeva and I remain in the sector. But this is not so. Pole vaulting is now very popular. Rivals increase for Lenka and I. The same Polyachki [Polish women – BF] who occupied the third and fourth places in Athens, have jumped very well this winter.
НИ: "Balm for your soul" – a figure of speech or did your soul actually ache after the Olympic loss?
СФ: It no longer aches. Everything is normal. My 24 years isn't old in jumping. Life continues, I remain in the sport and I am preparing for the next Olympiad. God grant that my health will hold out. And now my mood is also good.
НИ: Really?
СФ: But why? Understand, when you do not attain some goal, when you lose, as it came out for me in Athens, you begin to philosophize. You begin to relate differently to many things, and generally to life. Because for all the failures that occur in sport, that you experience, it is possible to find humor. I learned to love life such as it is. To rejoice at the sun and nice weather... Assuredly: nothing random occurs in life. If I didn't win "gold" in Athens, then this means it had to be. I am already grateful to fate for the fact that I found light athletics and was not wasted in gymnastics (Feofanova was a member of the national team for sport gymnastics. – Editor). For the fact that I could realize my personality and fortune. In the end I've achieved more than a little. And I hope I will achieve still more in the sport.
НИ: Can you already speak calmly regarding the Olympiad?
СФ: Certainly. In Athens I wanted to hide from everyone for awhile, because apparently all felt sympathy for me. Well yes, it was unpleasant, certainly. To walk among the leaders for three years after Sydney, to establish records, and then lose to a rival from my own team. And I am a proud person... On the whole, anyone who's been in a similar situation will understand me. Well, it didn't work out, but it was a worthy loss! It did not throw mud in my face! The Olympic silver medal and second place, these aren't simply given away. But instead of congratulating, for some reason everyone pitied me. Never mind, they said, it won't last! Even without that I hate when they give me sympathy, and still... Maybe you are happy to be second and not third. I don't even know which was more offensive. But now everything has passed, everything has calmed down.
НИ: Why did you lose?
СФ: At that moment Lenka's head was stronger, but she needed to fight to the end. With such a mood I arrived at the sector and went in. Psychologically I was absolutely calm. I knew that I was prepared as normal, and did not smell victory in advance. But physically... when I made the run-up before the jump, my feet did not come off from the runway. I had the impression that a weight hung on each foot. Evidently, my physical condition was not sufficient.
НИ: The fate of the gold medal was decided by you in your very last attempt. Had Isinbayeva not made good use of her last chance, you would be champion. What does an athlete feel when in bare seconds this desired reward departs to another?
СФ: My heart missed a beat... I understood everything when she cleared the bar.
НИ: However, how did you find the strength, immediately after this, to applaud her world record?
СФ: Well but that I had to, or be scolded by my mother. For that it's never necessary to lose. I applauded completely sincerely. 4.91 all the same! Who knows better than me how hard it is to jump this height.
НИ: Is it easier or harder for you to jump now in the same sector with Isinbayeva?
СФ: Nothing changed. Her presence in no way influences my health and psychological state. This winter we met at the tournament in Birmingham. She won, but I intend to continue competing. I've placed no specific objectives in front of myself. I won’t for her - I will jump in exactly the same manner.
НИ: The Games created the impression that a certain tension and pained reaction to the successes of each other exists in your relations.
СФ: We both contributed to this. First, when I won everywhere, we associated completely normally. Generally I always associate with people like a normal, well grounded person. But then she suddenly ceased greeting me and began to behave according to the principle "you encroach on me, although I am better". To some this didn't appear sporting. Well but now, when she began to win everything, she softened. But nevertheless I cannot say that we somehow associate. So… 'Hi' – 'Hi'. I can say something to her in the sector – she will answer. Still and all. We haven't exchanged phone numbers.
НИ: Are you, as before, the captain of our light-athletics team?
СФ: Honestly speaking, I don't know. I was captain in the Olympic year, but since the Games we simply haven't gathered together anywhere.
НИ: In light-athletics circles they indicate that by your nature you are an excessively modest, demure person. But at the same time you were appointed captain because, if it is necessary to stand up for something, you can say anything and to anyone you wish. This is true?
СФ: I am sometimes surprised at myself. On the horoscope I am the crab, born in the year of the monkey. And how these two opposite natures get along in one person is incomprehensible. I am one of those people who is amazed: why can't paper or cigarette-butts be thrown into the urn? So if I must - I can fight in a good sense of word. To stand up for validity and order, not only on the team, but also in normal life.
НИ: That's understandable. But in the sector, when are you prepared to introduce order?
СФ: My first start this year is tentatively planned for 23 June. The commercial tournament in Spain. Then six additional starts during July and August already, and then the World Championships, where, as the defending World Champion, I can go without selection. But possibly my trainer and I will introduce some changes into this competitive schedule.
НИ: After Isinbayeva established her last world record during March – 4 m 92 cm, there remain some eight centimeters to the cherished female height of 5 meters. Personally for you, does overcoming this height remain, as before, your central objective for the coming year?
СФ: You know, if I didn't want to win more, then most likely I would retire from the sport. But as far as this height is concerned, I decided for myself: Even if I don't make this first, or second or even third... Even if I occupy the twentieth place, but at least for myself, I absolutely must overcome these five meters.
I’d been under the impression that she’d gotten hurt during the indoor season, since I don’t think she competed in the European Indoor Championships in Madrid, did she? But this sure makes it sound like she was still planning a full outdoor schedule right into early June.
Anyway, I sure hope she’s mostly recovered now (although she’d indicated in December that she’s still on the mend), and can maybe put a little competition back into the competition.