"I want to be focused and prepared for the competition tomorrow and give my best. And then we will see what comes out of it." That's how modestly five-time European champion Sandra Perković sounded after winning the qualification in the women's discus throw. The fact that she had thrown almost 66 meters in the process, which is far above the qualification mark, she mentioned only in an aside. Europe's best of the year and silver medalist at the World Championships in Eugene (USA) three weeks ago goes into the competition as the favorite, especially since she has won every European Championship since 2010. "I don't want to put myself under pressure because I am happy and satisfied with my five titles," Perković said. But the hunger for a sixth title is clearly evident in the Croatian's conversation. In four of six attempts at the World Championships in Eugene she exceeded her qualifying distance of 65.94m from yesterday, including her season's best of 68.45m.
But she is also especially looking forward to the atmosphere and the audience at the European Championships, because she knows "that the German audience supports every competitor and is very respectful to the athletes, so there is no negative atmosphere in the stadium." Because Perković is all about respect and fairness, she is also involved in politics and has been a member of the Croatian parliament since 2015.
"If you want to host such a big event, you need a big city with many venues, and I think cities like Munich, Berlin or Rome can organize such events especially well." And this event also connects the 2013 and 2017 world champion with her recently deceased coach, who told her a lot about the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and what the sports venues were like back then.
She had her first big competition in 2009 at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. She tells of a moment when she was so excited to see the Olympic rings there that she thought to herself, she wants to live this life. The national record holder still carries this fun and will into her competitions today. That's why she's the woman to beat tonight for the competition.
Sandra, the qualification is over, how satisfied and optimistic are you with your performance?
Sandra Perković: "I am happy and pleased that I threw close to 66 meters, which is well above the qualification mark. Three weeks ago, I won the silver medal at the World Championships with a slightly longer distance, and I want to repeat such a success - I do not want to say that it is my home field - but Europe suits me very well in general. I want to be ready, focused and prepared for tomorrow and do my best, and then we will see what I can do."
As a five-time European champion with your last success in 2018, will you try to win the gold medal again or what are your expectations for tomorrow?
Sandra Perković: "I do not want to put any pressure on myself because I am happy and satisfied with the five titles I have won at the European Championships since 2010, but at the end of the day I want to have fun, do my best and stay focused. I know that the German crowd supports every competitor and is very respectful towards the athletes, so there is no negative atmosphere in the stadium."
What are your impressions of the European Championships as a whole and of the combination of nine sports in one event?
Sandra Perković: "We arrived two days before the qualification, so I am still focused on my competition, but I will stay in Munich for three days after my competition and of course support my other friends. It is very nice here, because if you want to host such a big event, you need a big city with many venues, and I think cities like Munich, Berlin or Rome can organize such events especially well."
That is the special thing about the venues, that they were also mostly used for the 1972 Olympics…
Sandra Perković: "Yeah, it is very special, because my coach told me about the bigger tracks and everything else, since he was there at the time. In Berlin four years ago, it was also a spectacular stadium and every time I am joining such a big competition, it feels really amazing for me. There is a reason I started doing this in the first place. My first big competition was in Berlin in 2009 and I was so excited to see the Olympic rings there that I thought, I want to live this life."
Successes
- Olympic gold (2012 & 2016)
- World Champion (2013 & 2017)
- European Champion (2010; 2012; 2014; 2016; 2018)
- Diamond League (2012-2017)
Text & Interview: Noah Eberhardt
Photo: Paul Treutwein