During the Indoor World Championships in Glasgow on Friday night, Australian high jumper Nicola Olyslagers and Ukraine’s Jaroslava Mahutjich competed dramatically for first place.
After two failed jumps, at 1.99, for both, Olyslagers managed to get over the bar at 1.99 meters on the last attempt. Her first WC gold.
– I knew before I took the 1.99 that I’ve done this before, on a cold Australian night just two weeks ago. So it was like it was in the bones. But the courses were so fast here, it was almost difficult to get to the jump, she tells SVT Sport.
According to Nicola Olyslagers, it was almost scary to jump because of the surface.
– I had thoughts like “the courses are so fast, what if I get hurt”. But I know love overcomes fear so I thought: “God, just give me your love and power”. And then I felt that no matter what happens, even if I hurt myself or hit the bar, I will be the WC champion.
Mysterious book
In addition to her high jumping talent, she is also known for her mysterious book that she writes in after each jump.
When asked what she is writing in it, she replies:
– I gave myself ten out of ten. That (1.99 jump) was the first jump that felt like normal all evening. So I had to go back and focus on the technique, to hold the line, so it was instructions mostly (in the book).
