And, of course, method is very important as is a high-quality specialist (trainer) working with you to keep you going in the right direction for your improvement and to help create results.

I am alone, some people help me, but, basically, I can do what I want.

The strategy of my coach and me was that we looked at pictures of all the best pole vaulters from around the world, and we took the best parts from them, and we created a person that had never existed. We then started to work toward being such a person.

You need to work very hard, you have to spend a lot of time practicing your sport - six to seven hours daily.

Even now, I want to keep my amateur spirit, to spend my time, to be in the sport with all my heart.

I love the pole vault because it is a professor's sport. One must not only run and jump, but one must think. Which pole to use, which height to jump, which strategy to use. I love it because the results are immediate and the strongest is the winner. Everyone knows it. In everyday life that is difficult to prove.

I have spoken with many former athletes, and they tell me the best time they had was in sports. I listen to them and use their experience in my career.