“I’m not ready for the new season” is something no athlete ever says, but the way athletes speak about their hopes and expectations for the year ahead – especially in an Olympic year – reveals a great deal about their preparation and confidence. Three high jumpers – America’s Erik Kynard, Canada’s Derek Drouin and Britain’s Robbie Grabarz – are ready to begin their outdoor season at the Doha Diamond League meeting, and all three sound confident of a good result.
Grabarz and Kynard both started their season well, finishing second and third respectively at the recent World Indoor Championships in Oregon, USA. Grabarz, who won silver there with 2.33m on countback, said he was ready for the big challenges ahead.
“I had a good World Indoor Championships, then took a short break, which helped refresh me. Now I’m ready for the outdoor season. I’ll be competing in all seven Diamond League meetings that include my event this year. They’re well spread out and will be an excellent way to prepare for the Rio Olympics.” That is what Grabarz said during a media session ahead of the Doha Diamond League meeting.
Kynard, who narrowly missed out on silver to Grabarz, also looked well prepared.
The world champion said: “I didn’t compete in many indoor meetings while preparing for the World Championships in Oregon, but I had a feeling I was ready to perform well there. I haven’t had the luck of taking a break, as I’ve been training non-stop since that championship, but I’m ready for the outdoor season.”
Meanwhile, Drouin, the outdoor world champion, said he was gradually getting back to his competitive best.
The world champion said: “I picked up some injuries that kept me out of the indoor season. I’m really excited to be in Doha because this is the first big meeting I’ve competed in this year. I don’t fully know where my form stands, but it’s good to finally be in a serious, high-level competition. I’m gradually getting closer to my competitive best.”
Grabarz, who battled a long-term injury in 2014 and missed several major championships, said he was looking forward to competing in Doha after a three-year absence. He added: “I had a serious injury in 2014, and I only realised how much I loved jumping when I was forced to stay away from the track. That’s what I’ve come here to do. This is my first time back in the Qatari capital since 2013, and I remember well how enthusiastic the crowd was in cheering on the athletes. I’m looking forward to being out there with them again.”
