Fab times ahead
World champion pole vaulter Fabiana Murer is confident a five-metre clearance is possible for her in London.
By Graeme Mair - Twitter: @gmair 1
Last Updated: 07/06/12 2:18pm
It's the biggest day of your professional life, a day you've been training towards for years, and it's starting to unravel.
You can't find the one thing you need. To make matters worse, you can't even blame yourself, someone else's mistake has ruined your big day.
Normally reserved for anxiety dreamers, Brazilian pole vaulter Fabiana Murer lived this experience in the Beijing Olympic final in 2008.
Organisers misplaced the pole she wanted to attempt 4.55 metres - poles of different length and tension are used as the bar goes up - a fruitless search for the missing item ensued, briefly holding up the competition.
Her normal routine ruined, Murer was forced to pass and go straight to 4.65m, which she failed three times to finish 10th.
Success
Fast forward nearly four years and Murer has recovered from the mental trauma of what happened in the Bird's Nest, claiming the world title indoors in 2010 and outdoors in Daegu last year.
"It was really difficult in Beijing, it was a bad experience but I don't think about it any more," said the 31-year-old.
"Of course I am more aware now what is happening with my poles before a competition.
"I am calm about it because I know the organisers in London are very good. I have never had any problems there so don't think it will be any different this year."
Murer has focused all her training on being in peak condition for the Olympics, where the women's pole vault final takes place on August 6.
"My preparation is going very well," she said.
"I decided not to do the indoor season so I could have more time training and thinking about my technique. It has gone really well.
"I think this year I'm more prepared for the big competitions."
High five
Murer set a personal best and South American record of 4.85 metres, putting her fourth on the all-time list, in Daegu and believes there is more to come.
"Five metres I think is possible," she said.
Yelena Isinbayeva, who will be going for her third consecutive Olympic title in London, is the only woman so far to clear that height.
Isinbayeva's world record stands at 5.06m and the Russian, who finished a distant sixth in Daegu, signalled her return to form with a world indoor record of 5.05m in Stockholm in February.
"I think it will be very, very hard (to win gold)," said Murer. "The women's pole vault is a strong and growing event.
"There are many contenders, including Isinbayeva who has won the last two gold medals and wants a third.
"It will be nice for the people watching to see a strong and tight competition.
"I'm prepared for fighting for a medal. I will start by thinking of bronze, then turn my attentions to silver and then gold, I think the best way to achieve is to go step by step."
Fabiana Murer is supporting Nike's Make It Count campaign. Join Nike at www.nike.com/london #makeitcount