Posted: August 11, 2004

Athletics: Olympic Q&A: Stacy Dragila

Defending Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila (33, Phoenix, Ariz.) is on the i sl and of Crete for Team USA training camp as she prepares to defend her gold in the women's pole vault. A two-time world champion and 8-time U.S. outdoor champion, Dragila spoke to the press on Wednesday. Below are excerpts from the conversation. For a full bio of Dragila and all Team USA Olympic track & field athletes, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicGames/roster_alpha.asp

Q: What is being here at training camp doing for you?

A: I think it's good. Obviously, coming off the Trials, after making the team, you get on a little bit of a down. To come back here to regroup, it's such a relaxing atmosphere. It's a nice track and good food. Plus some fun stuff. It's a great way to recharge. I get a chance to talk to people I've never talked to before. It's a team atmosphere and it's really fun.

Q: How do you feel about your jumping this year?

A: I'm really happy. I've been very consistent. The things I moved to Phoenix to work on are coming together. Looking back a year ago, I wasn't sure they would.

Q: How do you feel about your Olympic chances, given how high people have been vaulting this year?

A: It's very exciting for women's pole vault to be part of the ground-breaking process and see where it's going. I'm very competitive, and I think I'll be on the medal stand. I'm the defending Olympic champion, and I'll fight my way to the top.

Q: Do you have an edge against your competitors?

A: The Olympic experience can be very overwhelming. I've been here before, so maybe I have a little bit of an edge. You can't communicate with your coach very well [in the Olympic stadium], so you better know sign language. All kinds of things come into play that you don't experience in small meets.

Q: Are there still bigger things to come from you?

A: I think so. I have a couple extra poles in my bag, and if I can get on those, we'll see some big things. That comes down to confidence in myself - having confidence in what we've done this year.

Q: Talk a bit more about the Russians.

A: I think they've been very consistent, they know what they're going. They learned it right from the time they started. When I started, the vault was new. I got away with a lot of things and developed some bad habits that we're still trying to correct.

Q: You dominated for so long, was the emergence of the Russians a surprise?

A: It was pretty much expected. They have a long tradition of great pole vaulters. It was just a matter of finding that perfect athlete. The competition between the two of them is very hot, and I think either one of them will do anything to beat each other. For me, it's not about beating them, it's about doing my best.

Q: How long will you compete?

A: For sure I see myself going two more years. Things are good, I'm still competitive and I still have that drive. Who knows? Beijing is just around the corner. These four years went so fast.

Q: Sergey Bubka has said a woman will never jump 5 meters. What do you think?

A: He better bite his tongue, because he's going to see it soon.