19th AUG
adidas Beijing SPORTS NEWS VIDEO
MEDIA ADVISORIES
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This online location will also provide updated information on extra SPORTS NEWS VIDEOS added to our schedule in Beijing.
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO 1
Story: Blanka Vlasic says she will not underestimate her opponents in Beijing
Duration: approx 3min
Delivery format: mini DV
Online: Mpeg2
Location: Beijing, China
Language: English
STORY:
World High jump Champion Blanka Vlasic says it will not be the end of the world if she doesn’t win the Olympic gold medal. The Croatian who has been unbeatable this season admitted that the Beijing gold medal is a status symbol that she would like but she must take one jump at a time to get it. Still 24 this will be her third Olympic Games after she competed in 2000 as a 16-year-old and in 2004 when she did not make the podium. The Italian Antonietta Di Martino is arguably her closest rival and Vlasic is taking nothing for granted, she openly speaks about ‘not feeling confident’ anything less than 100% effort and she believes the gold medal will not be hers. The men’s high jump World record holder Javier Sotomayor of Cuba has backed the Croatian not only to win the Olympic gold but to break the world record as well.
SOUNDBITE: Blanka Vlasic
q- you are the best, you must win the gold yes?
Nothing is for sure in sports I am thinking like this I have had a good season so far with a lot of victories but no one can guarantee another one particularly because it is the Olympic games so I am trying to take a step at a time first the qualification then the final, just one jump at a time and see what happens.
SOUNDBITE: Blanka Vlasic
q- with so many season wins you must be extremely confident?
I will shock you but my confidence is never to high I am always very careful because if I don’t do 100 % somebody will beat me, so I am very careful, so I try not to think nobody can beat me there are a lot of girls that can so I must stay focused and do my job.
SOUNDBITE: Blanka Vlasic
q- how important is this Olympic gold to you?
It is very important of course it is a status symbol, for me it is a big deal to come here as favorite and I hope everything will turn out alright but it is not like the end of the world of course.
INTERVIEW JAVIER SOTOMAYOR HIGH JUMP WORLD RECORD HOLDER (CUBA – Spanish language)
q. So what do you think of Blanka Vlasic and her amazing winning streak at the moment?
She is really good. For me she is the big favorite. For the past two season’s she’s been winning everything, producing fantastic results and I think now she deserves to get a world record and win here at these Olympic Games.
GENERAL VIEWS OF ATHLETE
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO 2
Story: Olympic Champion Roman Sebrle previews Beijing Decathlon
Duration: 4’00’’
Delivery format: mini DV
Online: Mpeg2
Location: Beijing, China
Language: English
Aug 21st
Men's decathlon, long jump, National Stadium, 9 a.m.-1:06 p.m.
Men's decathlon, 100m, National Stadium, 9 a.m.-1:06 p.m.
Men's decathlon, shot put, National Stadium, 9 a.m.-1:06 p.m.
Men's decathlon, High Jump, National Stadium, 7-10:18 p.m.
Men's decathlon: 400m, National Stadium, 7-10:18 p.m.
Aug 22nd
Men's decathlon, discus, pole vault, National Stadium, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Men's decathlon, 110m hurdles, National Stadium, 7:30-4 p.m.
Men's decathlon, javelin, 1,500m National Stadium, 7-10:20 p.m.
STORY:
Olympic and World Decathlon Champion Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic admitted America’s Brian Clay will be his greatest opponent when the event gets underway here in Beijing this week. The 33 year old went on to confirm that he had suffered an injury to his right thigh but had trained specifically for the Olympic competition and was feeling good. Tradition dictates the winner of the decathlon holds the title of "World's Greatest Athlete’ well, Sebrle from the Czech Republic has held that title five out of the past seven years plus as the highest score ever. In 2001 he became the first decathlete to achieve over 9,000 points, setting the record at 9,026. However Roman is lucky to be alive let alone defending his title in Beijing this summer. While training in South Africa some 18 months ago, oblivious to a handful of javelin throwers practicing nearby, Sebrle crossed a field and one of the lances struck him! A few inches either-way and the javelin would have punctured his lung or throat instead of lodging in his shoulder.
Sebrle who has been described in Beijing by fellow athletes as ‘superman’ says the incident made him sad but he got over it pretty quickly.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: how is your fitness?
A: I prepare just for Beijing and the preparation was really good, I did have some cramp before but now I feel good and I’m surprised that everything is going so well but l will see in the competition of course.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: how is your body coping these days?
A: I am not that old, I am just 33 years old but I think I started too late but I will just finish older. I won in 2004 and if I win again in Beijing it is not that much pressure for me like it was before but of course I want to win it again.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: Have you fully recovered from being hit by that Javelin?
A: Do you want to see it? Inside and out, this small scar is where it came out but I was lucky because it went between the muscle and skin and muscle doesn’t hurt. I was back training two days after; it was quite good, I was happy, lucky but I don’t think it is a second chance for me.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: a brush with death must affect your mental state?
A: That’s right, two hours after this accident I thought about it and I was a little sad, but that was all I thought about it. Not pressure, not changing my mind for the next competition and training, maybe I will be a looking around me more to make sure some javelin is not flying towards me or discus.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: what do you think of the men you will be up against?
A: It will be a tough competition because it’s the Olympic Games and Brain Clay is the number one rival for me; he was second behind me in Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and he was second and now he will want only gold.
Roman SEBRLE – Soundbite
Q: what is your strongest event?
A: My strongest event is the decathlon no I have three really strong events, the Long Jump, High Jump and Javelin. I don’t think I have weak one’s, I have everything at a really good level. In my mind I don’t like so much the Pole Vault because it’s not natural event for me.
GENERAL VIEWS OF ATHLETE
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO 3
Story: Beijing Decathlon preview 2 with Andrei Kravchenko of Belarus
Duration: 3’10’’
Delivery format: mini DV
Online: Mpeg2
Location: Beijing, China
Language: English & Russian
STORY:
Young decathlete Andrei Kravchenko of Belarus described the reigning Olympic Champion Roman Sebrle as a ‘Superman.’ The 22 year old does not believe he can currently amass 9000 points a feat only ever achieved by Sebrle from the Czech Republic but he does think he will get there in the end, certainly in time for London 2012. The 22 year old did not however close the door on gaining a medal here in China he said anything can happen at an Olympic Games he has already seen a few upsets and more could well follow.
SOUNDBITE: Andrie Kravchenko (ENGLISH)
q. Roman Sebrle is one to watch in your competition.
Roman Sebrle for me is a big man because he is the only one who beat 9000, he for me is Gold maybe in the Decathlon. 9000 is possible for me but maybe not in this year because I dont have the power now…..Maybe 1 year maybe 2 years, 9000 is possible. In this year maybe 8800 may be good for me.
SOUNDBITE: Andrie Kravchenko (ENGLISH)
q. How is your fitness?
1 month ago I competed in the Eurpoean Cup 8595 but I competed after I was ill & I only practised two weeks, so I think now I am good.
SOUNDBITE: Andrie Kravchenko (RUSSIAN)
q. Can Roman Sebrle be beaten?
Frankly in this Olympics Games many favourite sports men are broken. In this Olympic games, I think he is champion maybe yesterday, and today maybe it the other guy. Olympic Games is another competition, it is not World Championship its not US Championship it is Olympic Games, a very difficult competition
SOUNDBITE: Andrie Kravchenko (RUSSIAN)
q. Tell us about Roman Sebrle?
I say Roman Sebrele is a big man for me like Superman, because he has so much experience and great physical condition and I think he will try take a medal.
SOUNDBITE: Andrie Kravchenko (ENGLISH)
q. Please explain your Decathlon tattoos on your leg
Decathlon first day you have 100m, long jump, shot put, high jump & 400m
Decathlon second day 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin & 1500m
GENERAL VIEWS OF ATHLETE
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO 4
Story: SILVER MEDAL REACTION with Fernando Gonzalez
Duration: 3’00’’
Delivery format: mini DV
Online: Mpeg2
Location: Beijing, China
Language: English and Spanish
STORY:
Olympic tennis Silver medalist Fernando Gonzalez of Chile said world number one Rafael Nadel dominated his final match in Beijing. Nadal of Spain defeated Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3 to claim gold although the South American was pragmatic about the outcome that completed his Olympic set of medals. The silver is added to the doubles gold and singles Bronze he won in Athens four years ago.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (ENGLISH)
q. You played Nadal in the final, how was the match?
Yes I think I played against the best Nadal, he was playing really good with high confidence, he was winning many many matches and the condition was a little slow to play against him. He was tough to play and I think he dominated most part of the match.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (SPANISH)
q. You now have a Gold, Silver & Bronze Olympic medals
Yeah I have all of it now, yes I did 2 in Athens and this time before I played the final I said that the worst thing that can happen is that I’m gonna have all of the medals. Unfortunately that day that is what happened but I am still happy because it was a great week.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (ENGLISH)
q. You now have a Gold, Silver & Bronze Olympic medals
Yeah I have all of it now, yes I did 2 in Athens and this time before I played the final I said that the worst thing that can happen is that I’m gonna have all of the medals. Unfortunately that day that is what happened but I am still happy because it was a great week.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (SPANISH)
q. will we see you win a Grand slam title next?
That is what I’m still fighting for I played final last year and I played many many times good tennis there and I think that I have the tennis to do and Im not gonna rest until I can do it.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (SPANISH)
q. Are the Chilean people celebrating you medal?
Well I remember from Athens so I was thinking about it but my family and my friends told me that a lot of people were really happy for me and really excited and they showed the match 3 times in one day and they are really really happy.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (ENGLISH)
q. How does it feel to win a medal?
Feels really big, In Athens I came with the same dream the same gold I came with the same thing here and I did it so that’s really big for me.
SOUNDBITE: Fernando Gonzalez (SPANISH)
q. How does it feel to win a medal?
Feels really big, In Athens I came with the same dream the same gold I came with the same thing here and I did it so that’s really big for me.
GENERAL VIEWS OF ATHLETE
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO 5
Story: GOLD MEDAL REACTION: Yelena Isinbayeva
Duration: 4’00’’
Delivery format: mini DV
Online: Mpeg2
Location: Beijing, China
Language: English
STORY
Russian Pole vaulting sensation Yelena Isinbayeva said she did not want to disappoint her fans by winning the Olympic Gold medal but not breaking her own world record. The 26 year old who has dominated the event since she won in Athens four years ago put paid to any further talk of rivalry between her and the rest of the field by claiming the Beijing Gold medal before lifting the bar to 5.05m. She described the victory and subsequent new world record as ‘tasty & sweet’ and promised to jump as high as 5.15 in the future. Having done the job she came to China to do Isinbayeva admitted that she went out to celebrate and stayed out all night. When asked about her rivals the Russian declined to make comment and suggested her talking was done in the stadium and was plain for all to see.
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. how does is feel to have won the gold and broke your world record?
It was really tasty because I won, I was angry for all those people talking, I wanted to prove who I am and who is the best. Because I don’t like to prove something for the words just to prove with the work.
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Do you have anything to say to those people who didn’t think you could do it?
First of all I counted like on respect or something I will never tell those people and will always prove who is the best. I wouldn’t say anything bad and I wouldn’t say anything good. Everyone see the situation now and that is more important than me saying something
.
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Tell me how you are feeling?
It was great it was really great, I’m so happy. First I did not believe that I managed to do it again at the Olympic Games because I still remember my feelings from Athens, I cannot believe just this, it is great!
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Was it easy?
It wasn’t easy because I felt such pressure a little bit because I expect from myself to break new World Records here at the Olympic Games and you know victory without a World Record won’t be so tasty as I always like to feel. For whole crowd also I think, they maybe would be disappointed if I won without world record with only 4:85
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Does this compare to Athens?
No I cannot compare, this is different. Because in Athens it was expectable but maybe only 18-20% because there were other girls who were jumping pretty good. But here in Beijing everyone expects and everyone more confident that I am going to win Gold Medal with World Record. But you know they both of them are tasty and sweet..ha ha…yeah its cool.
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Do you want to be remembered as a pole vault legend?
yeah I want to be remembered as legend..ha ha.. but maybe when I’m retired I can fully understand what happens around me and what I have done but now you know I understand that I am double Olympic champions but for me you know the other stars that I was looking at before, when the people look at me like this, I am surprised. I don’t feel it myself, you know like a legend or like a star.
SOUNDBITE: Yelena Isinbayeva
q. Did you celebrate last night?
Honestly I didn’t sleep last night because I went to our Russian House for celebrations. But I think because now I am more recognizable and it took an hour to get to the restaurant for breakfast and 30 minutes to come back because everyone was asking for picture and signature and I cannot say no, I am a bit tired from this..because everyone wants their own picture not everyone together you know....one by one and in the end I was like OK finished..
GENERAL VIEWS OF ATHLETE
PREVIEW INFO FOR TOMORROWS ATHLETES - AUG 20th 2008
SPORTS NEWS VIDEO Sally McLellan (AUS), Women’s 100m hurdles
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL for 20th AUG
- Gymnastics Silver Medal winner Shawn Johnson (USA) TBC
- Team GB cyclists Victoria Pendelton and Chris Hoy
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