{"id":3419,"date":"2019-09-05T14:43:03","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T14:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brussels.wdl.uat-sports.swisstiming.com\/2019\/09\/05\/thiam-stefanidi-and-reese-ready-to-jump-at-the-ag-memorial-van-damme\/"},"modified":"2019-09-05T14:43:03","modified_gmt":"2019-09-05T14:43:03","slug":"thiam-stefanidi-and-reese-ready-to-jump-at-the-ag-memorial-van-damme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brussels.wdl.uat-sports.swisstiming.com\/en\/2019\/09\/05\/thiam-stefanidi-and-reese-ready-to-jump-at-the-ag-memorial-van-damme\/","title":{"rendered":"Thiam, Stefanidi and Reese ready to jump at the AG Memorial Van Damme"},"content":{"rendered":"
With her 6m86 Nafi Thiam would have qualified for the world championships, the Olympic Games and the IAAF Diamond League finale in the long jump, but on Friday she will opt for the high jump. In that discipline the Belgian is also one of the world\u2019s best. Here 2n02 is the second best jump of 2019, only second to favourite Maria Lasitskene (2m06). <\/div>\n
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Can Thiam go even higher with the support of the Belgian fans? \u201cI hope so. I\u2019ve been feeling great for weeks. I haven\u2019t done many jumps in competition and it\u2019s not easy to be consistent, but with the support of my home crowd I hope to reach two metres tomorrow.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cI always try and enjoy the competition. I love doing it. It gives me positive energy, especially in front of the Belgian public. That\u2019s always special, and maybe even more this year with the Doha world championships coming up. At the Memorial I maybe wasn\u2019t always in my best shape, but now I feel good. It will be a fantastic night."  <\/div>\n
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FOUR IN A ROW FOR STEFANIDI? <\/b><\/div>\n
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Nafi Thiam was joined at the press conference by two other leading athletes: Katerina Stefanidi and Brittney Reese. Former sprinter Kim Gevaert, who led the conference, asked Stefanidi how pole vaulters manage to stay focused. \u201cA sprinter has to focus for 10, 20 or 40 seconds on a race, while we need several moments of concentration,\u201d Stefanidi said. \u201cConcentration, relaxation, concentration. That\u2019s what we train on. If you can manage alternating those concentration levels, you will become a better jumper.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe most important thing for an athlete is to stay healthy. Before you can talk about a new world or Olympic title you need to be fit. I always think first about tomorrow and then we\u2019ll see,\u201d Stefanidi explained, while chasing a fourth consecutive Diamond League title.  <\/div>\n
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\u201cI start in every competition to win. That confidence increases after every medal. But according to my coach I still lack confidence compared to what I already achieved. I keep training hard and I will keep going as long as I get the same satisfaction out if it."<\/div>\n
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REESE IN THE RIGHT RHYTHM<\/b><\/div>\n
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Long jumper Britnney Reese has the same attitude as Stefandi. \u201cI also start in every competition to win. It\u2019s a long season and with the Olympic Games coming up next year, I want to do everything in my own rhythm."<\/div>\n
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Aged just 32, Reese is an icon of the long jump with 8 gold medals at major championships (4 world titles, 3 world indoor titles + 1 Olympic gold). Twice she conquered the Diamond League. \u201cAfter Doha and Tokyo I hope to have ten gold medals. I kept a little bit of room in my trophy cabinet,\u201d the American quipped. Earlier this year she managed a jump of 7m00, while her personal best stands at 7m31. <\/div>\n
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Reese was also impressed my Nafi Thiam. \u201cThe 6m86 she jumped in Birmingham was very impressive. It gained her a lot of points in the heptathlon. Her limits? She can get to 7m00 and beyond, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d  <\/div>\n
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