Posted: September 1, 2006

Athletics: Q&A With National Team Head Coach Les Gramantik

Athletics Canada (AC): – You were recently appointed Head coach of the national team leading to the 2008 Olympic Games. Is this something that has been a long-term objective? Did you ever expect to be the head coach of the Canadian national team? Les Gramantik (LG): - No, it was never an objective of mine. My professional aspirations have evolved through the years. I am originally from a small town in Transylvania and to make it this far is difficult to believe. One thing I can say with certainty is that I have the utmost respect for the position and nothing about this role is taken lightly. I am grateful for the opportunity and I have every intention to live up to the challenge. AC: – As the head coach, what are your expectations for the 2007 World Championships in Osaka? And the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing? LG: - We as an association are publicly committing to two medals in Osaka and three medals in Beijing. These are high goals but we have the athletes to achieve them. I believe if one sets superficial goals the results will also be superficial. I will always encourage athletes to aim high, aiming for lofty objectives makes all the difference rather than seeking the safe path of mediocrity. AC: – Are you encouraged by the strong results recently at the World Junior Championships? The 2 medals we won and especially in the events we won them (100m & 200m) must be an encouraging sign for our international competitiveness and the comeback of our sprint program. LG: - Good results at the developmental level are always encouraging to see. It is good to witness medals and even more importantly to see athletes performing well at the levels needed to get to a World Championship. Repeatability of top performances at each level, whether it is at the junior or senior level, is the key to success in our sport. We have been and will continue to be a talent rich nation in sprinting and I am hoping to see that the World Junior results have a positive impact on our seniors group. AC: – Do you anticipate anybody from the World Junior squad possible making the Olympic team in 2008? LG: - It is possible, but let’s face it, the age gap from juniors to seniors is substantial and often the accelerated move is a detriment to the athlete’s long term development. However some of our top performers from the World Juniors could definitely enrich our relay programs. AC: – When you competed your event was the pole vault, what are some of your career highlights as an athlete? LG: - I had the opportunity to compete internationally for Romania in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Those were different and difficult times and I wish to leave most of my memories behind. AC: – You coached Olympian Michael Smith, Canadian record holder in the decathlon and you currently coach Jessica Zelinka, Canadian heptathlon record holder. Can you try and explain in a few words how difficult it is to be good at so many different events. (The decathlon is 10 events, heptathlon is 7). LG: - Both of those athletes were a product of high quality development programs. In Michael’s case I had the privilege to work with a world class athlete and to learn and grow together. Jessica also benefited from great coaching, my role is to enhance that and guide her to her full potential, which is the Olympic podium. Jessica and Michael both made good choices, they stayed in Canada, and they had solid development programs, choosing training environments that can support athletes’ needs. Regarding coaching combined events, it is really one event with 7 or 10 tries. Some of these tries complement e AC:h other, such as running hurdles has a positive effect on all other tries, some are totally independent, like the javelin. Combined events require a different quality from the athletes and from the coaches, but it is the most fun and challenging, there is nothing boring about it. The best description about coaching combined events is that what I try to do with Jessica; I don’t try to make her very good at anything. As soon as she is getting good at one component I move her to another event to confuse her and keep her guessing. AC: – What was it like growing up in Eastern Europe? When did you first move to Canada and why? LG: - Some of the people around track, over a beer, have heard most of my stories about my life and my emigration to Canada. It is a long story and there are many Canadians with similar ones. What communist Europe provided to me is a quality education and unlimited opportunities to practice sport as a young athlete. I had no choice about where I was born and I have no regrets about the first 25 years of my life, but I am very happy that I made the move and I am more Canadian than many who were born here. AC: – What do you see yourself doing in retirement? LG: - Sorry, I don’t understand the world retirement, I have many more things left to do before even thinking about that.. Rapid Fire Questions What type of music do you listen to? A variety, 70’s rock (Deep Purple…) current alternative (Wilco) and some classical (Vivaldi) Favourite food? Old fashioned unhealthy German food (the best is in Gasthof Sonne in Gotzis Austria) Last movie you saw? I don’t remember, I don’t watch movies You are quite the wine connoisseur… how many bottles do you have? Do you have a favourite? Unfortunately not that many (about 30) I end up drinking them faster than I can afford to buy them. I have a soft spot for good Zinfandel. If you could meet and talk with anybody living or dead, who would it be and why? It is difficult; I am fascinated by great leaders but I would also enjoy spending time with a great scientific mind (such as Bill Gates) Favourite sport outside of athletics? To do, that’s easy, tennis. This article was posted with the permission of Athletics Canada.To read more from The Gold Standard, Athletics Canada's monthly newsletter please visit: Athletics Canada. Subscribe to the Gold Standard at: Athletics Canada.

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