It’s been around a quarter of a century since Mike Powell set the long jump world record with a soaring leap that cleared 8.95 metres. And it remains to this day.
Here in Bengaluru as the brand ambassador for the TCS World 10K, the legendary American spoke at length about the current situation of the sport, his attempt for Rio Olympics berth and the record itself. Excerpts:
On trying for Rio Olympics at the age of 52: You don’t forget how to jump 8.05 is the qualifying mark and I am very confident. I am good enough to jump 8.30. I know exactly how to do it. Jumping that, you will be in contention for a medal at any Olympics. Say I am at the trials.
There is no way three people are going to beat me in any event. I'm the Beethoven of the long jump. If people, still doubt me, I say, ‘watch’. I am going to make that team. Because I have told my daughter that daddy is going to the Olympics. That’s my biggest motivation. On doping: I think that athletics is not treated fairly. We are the ones who bust our stars. Other sports don’t do that. And we get blamed for it. We are doing what we are supposed to do. Every line, any endeavour you get into — where there’s money, power or influence involved — people are going to cheat. If you get caught, you should be gone to life. On Russia being eligible for Rio Olympics: No. They have been doing that for a long time. I feel sorry for the athletes but it’s the system. They have got to break the system and change the culture. It’s a different place and they have a different way of doing things. It’s unfortunate but they can’t be allowed to compete.
On training Anju Bobby George: That was fun and I wish I kept working with her. (It was) in 2004, 2003 but she still had a lot more in her. She was an Olympian, had a great jumping ability and way better landing than I had. She didn’t work on her speed and I didn’t have time to teach her that.
