Ariane Friedrich

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Valeria Lukyanova

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Robert Harting and Ariane Friedrich to compete in ISTAF/Berlin, by Alfons Juck, Note by Larry Eder

Robert Harting, WC Berlin 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Take a moment, gentle readers, and look at the picture. Deep breath, look at the crowd in the background and every photographer in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, trying to get a picture of Germany's hero, Robert Harting, who put it all together, kicking butt on the entire discus field! One of my favorite parts of Berlin WC 2009 were the performances of Germany's field eventers, in front of their home crowd. Each night, we were treated to one great performance
after another!



Ariane Friedrich, WC Berlin 2009, August 2009, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Ariane Friedrich, the premier German women high jumper, was in the battle of
her life in Berlin, taking a bronze medal. Friedrich had huge pressure on her after the 2.06m clearance. Her coach told me the day after the competition, that he had figured that she had a good shot for the bronze, with Vlasic in top form. The show was the Vlasic-Friederich show for much of that night!

Two of Germany's most popular athletes, discus gold medalist Robert Harting and
high jump bronze medalist Arian Friedrich, will headline ISTAF Berlin, on August 22, 2010...Harting had the crowd screaming last year in Berlin, when he just dominated the discus field. Ariane Friedrich, who could pass for the lead singer of X, had the crowd roaring during
the Vlasic-Friedrich high jump show in Berlin last August!

For Friedrich, simply a ‘Wow day - ÅF Golden League

Berlin, Germany – The global media spotlight fell on Ariane Friedrich here this afternoon as she completed a long session of television and radio interviews in the bowels of the Olympic Stadium only to find, several floors up, a packed press room of more than 50 German and international journalists seeking her response to an extraordinary day.

Having broken Heike Henkel’s 18-year-old German women’s High Jump record, and beaten Croatian World champion Blanka Vlasic, Friedrich said that she was proud to follow in Henkel’s footsteps, that she hoped her victory in the DKB- ISTAF opening round of the ÅF Golden League would be a boost for German athletics and for the World Championships in Berlin in August, and that she was not disappointed to only narrowly have missed equalling the World record.

Asked to describe the competition, in which she passed at several heights while Vlasic continued to jump, Friedrich said: “It is really difficult to describe. I would say it was ‘wow’. Gunter (Eisinger, her coach) and I played a mean game today. We started at 1.93m then went to 2.00m. My philosophy is that the more heights you jump the more mistakes you can commit so I always try to go as high as possible as fast as possible. Right now I really feel the self-confidence and I feel that, if I do fewer jumps, I will not give all my power straight away.

“The Golden League is not for nothing, it is about $1m – not for me but for others. What I really wanted to do was make a statement for Berlin in two months time and also a statement for German athletics.”

Clarifying her comment about the Golden League being not for her but for others, Friedrich said that the jackpot was not in her sights as she intended to compete in the Universiade (World University Games) in Belgrade, which coincide with the Golden League, in Oslo.

On new national record - 'Every kid knows Heike Henkel, not every kid knows Ariane Friedrich'

Had Friedrich sensed that she might perform so brilliantly today? “I had a very good Easter training phase and the indoor season went very well, so we knew that good results would be possible,” she said. “But there can always be a difference between what you know is possible and what can happen in the end.

“I was really happy to jump a German record. I had never been thinking about jumping it. Heike Henkel held the record for such a long time and she is a real idol in Germany. Every kid knows Heike Henkel, not every kid knows Ariane Friedrich, so I am l really proud of being a little bit her successor. It will be difficult to be a full successor but that is something I will try to do.

“Also, I want to try to make High Jump interesting again, to interest our kids, and make them interested not only in the High Jump but also athletics. I also want to raise the interest and enthusiasm for the World Championships.”

2.06, a height to be 'appreciated'

With the competition won, Friedrich had a near miss at equalling the 2.09m World record held by Bulgaria’s Stefka Kostadinova since 1987. Having cleared the bar with her torso, she brushed it off with her leg. But this was a day for celebration, not frustration, the German insisted.

“It is not about wanting more and more,” Friedrich said. “I did not make the World record today but I jumped 2.06, I made a new German record and I think it is a height that should be appreciated. I’m not going to talk about more, about the World record. I am very proud about the German record. I don’t need to get even more right away.”

Asked whether she thought that she had the advantage now over Vlasic for the World Championships, Friedrich replied: “We will see. Not all eyes should be on Blanka. Each jumper has the potential to jump high. We had some good competition today. I had a great day but I’m sure there are going to be worse days.

“The goal for the World Championships is the final, then a medal. Which medal it is going to be we will have to see then. It is just really a lot of fun to compete with her. She is getting the best out of me and that is why it is fun and I enjoy it.”

David Powell for the IAAF

Herzschlag-Finale: Ariane Friedrich holt Bronze im Hochsprung

Ariane Friedrich.

In einem Hochsprung-Krimi ist für Ariane Friedrich der Traum vom WM-Gold geplatzt und am Ende nur die Bronzemedaille herausgesprungen. Die 25-jährige Frankfurterin konnte am Donnerstagabend bei der Leichtathletik-Weltmeisterschaft in Berlin vor rund 60 000 Zuschauern nur 2,02 Meter überwinden. “Es war so geil“, brüllte “Friedrich die Große“ trotz des verfehlten Titel-Ziels munter in das Mikrofon des Stadionsprechers. Erfolgreich verteidigte ihre große Rivalin Blanka Vlasic mit 2,04 Meter ihren Titel, scheiterte aber danach an dem Versuch, den 22 Jahre alten Weltrekord von Stefka Kostadinova (2,09 Meter) zu verbessern. Vizeweltmeisterin wurde Anna Tschitscherowa (Russland/2,02 Meter).

Ariane Friedrich: 8 Things To Know About The London Olympics High Jump Hopeful

With the 2012 London Olympics just two months away, one athlete has already stirred some controversy before the games have even begun.

Friedrich represented Germany at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Photo: Facebook)

Ariane Friedrich, a German high jumper expected to contend for a medal, recently posted the name, email address and city of a Facebook stalker who had been sending her explicit messages and pictures, touching off an intense national debate on privacy. Thousands of people have posted comments on her Facebook page, both praising her move against sexual harassment and criticizing her for "vigilante justice."

"I've been offended in the past, sexually harassed and I've had a stalker before," wrote Friedrich on Saturday in a recent Facebook post that included the name and email address of the man who she says sent her explicit material. "It's time to act, it's time to defend myself. And that's what I'm doing."

Germany has very strict privacy laws that protect an individual's right to determine whether their name and address can be published, which can blow Friedrich's situation up even more. According to the New York Times, newspapers in Germany, for example, don't publish the names of offenders, in an effort to prevent them from being marked after their release from prison.

As for the Internet, the end may not justify the mean.

"Something like this is new," said Helmut K. Rüster of Weisser Ring, an organization that promotes victims' rights, to the Times. "We have not had an incident in this form before in Germany."

Friedrich also filed a legal complaint against the accused man. Her coach, Günter Eisinger, also said to the Times that Friedrich was not going to make any further comments on her posting, both he and she being cautioned by prosecutors and police not to make any statements.

Friedrich is currently training for the Olympics.

Here are seven quick facts to know about the gold medal hopeful:

• Friedrich was born on Jan. 10, 1984 in in Nordhausen, Thüringen, Germany
• The 28-year-old is the German record holder in the outdoor high jump with a best of 2.06m
• She won gold at the 2003 European Junior Championships
• She won gold at both the 2009 and 2010 European Indoor Championships
• She won bronze at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin
• A ruptured Achilles tendon forced her to miss the entire 2011 season
• She's associated with the German sports club LG Eintracht Frankfurt
• She's a police officer by training back in Germany

Friederich out for six months by Alfons Juck, note by Larry Eder

Ariane Friederich, Berlin 2009, high jump, photo by PhotoRun.net


Scratch Ariane Friederich out from Paris 2010 European Indoors! An achilles injury, which happened on December 22, and required surgery to her jump take off leg, was announced December 27. She will be out six months!

EME NEWS (DEC 27, 2010)

Friedrich out for 6 months
FRANKFURT (GER): Serious achilles injury for High Jumper Ariane Friedrich. She will not be able to defend her title from Torino 2009 in Paris Bercy and is out for at least 6 months. It happened during her training session on December 22 and achilles surgery on her jumping leg was needed. Her coach and agent Gunther Eisinger informed that they decided to spread the news only after Christmas. "The most important now is to remain calm and patient," said Eisinger. She hopes to be back for summer season but that is not for sure.

Eaton confirmed for Tallinn
TALLINN (EST): World indoor record holder Ashton Eaton will compete in his first heptathlon since the record breaking mark in February in Estonia. He confirmed his participation at Tallinn Combined Events Meeting on February 5-6 (EA Indoor Permit). After ending his collegiate eligibility this will be his first pro indoor season. Also confirmed is the participation of world outdoor record holder Roman Sebrle who needs a good mark in order to qualify for European Championships in Paris.

Bolt looks forward to 2011
KINGSTON (JAM): Usain Bolt has been named among the top personalities in Jamaica. The Jamaica Gleaner underlined Bolt's personality and impact off the track in a year without any major championships. Bolt also looks into 2010 with great expectations as he wrote on his twitter: "Ppl just know this year is going to be crazy ok I have it covered a me say win oh."

Noguchi again injured
TOKYO (JPN): It is widely reported in Japan media that Olympic marathon winner 2004 Mizuki Noguchi was diagnosed with stress fracture in left ankle. After dismal performance at JPN Corporate team Women's Ekiden championships), Noguchi went to a doctor, because of persistent pain, and that is when the stress fracture was discovered. It is estimated that approximately 6 weeks is required to recover from the injury. Her last ended marathon was Tokyo in 2007 with 2:21:37 win.



OTHER NEWS

LUANDA (ANG): More top Ethiopian runners entered the Sao Silvestre race in Angola on December 31. Among them former 15 km world record holder Deribe Merga and Ali Abdosh. Already earlier announced was the participation of legendary Haile Gebrselassie with Kenyans Josphat Kiprono Menjo and Grace Momanyi.

MOSCOW (RUS): Organizers of Russian Winter IAAF Indoor meet in Moscow on February 6 announced a great 600 m duel. Commonwealth champion Boaz Lalang will run against olympic medalist Ahmed Ismail of Sudan. Their target will be the world best mark 1:15.12 of German Nico Motchebon achieved in 1999 in Sindelfingen.

EDINBURGH (GBR): Kenya's reigning World CC Champion Emily Chebet will contest two races on Spanish soil next month as she prepares for the defence her IAAF World Cross Country title in March. The athlete's manager Zane Branson said she will run only in Seville and Elgoibar after organisers of the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country incorrectly announced her participation in their race on January 8. Another Kenyan and steeple specialist Milcah Chemos has joined the star-studded women's International field for the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country in Holyrood Park. Her appearance will see her line up against fellow countrywomen Vivian Cheruiyot and Linet Masai the reigning World 5000metres and 10000m track gold medallists in the six kilometres in Holyrood Park on January 8. UK media are informing.

KINGSTON (JAM): Jamaican long jump olympic finalist Chelsea Hammond has set her sights on next year's World Championships in Daegu after recovering from a stress fracture, which limited her appearance in 2010. Hammond, who leapt 6.79 metres, a personal best, for fourth in Beijing, said come next year as long as she remains healthy, she will be a contender in Daegu. Informs TrackAlerts.

SAO PAULO (BRA): Best Brazilian long distance runner Marilson Gomes dos Santos will start at the traditional San Silvestre race on December 31 as the top home entry. He won the race twice in 2003 and 2005. His main rivals will be Kenyans headed by James Kwambai, Barnabas Kosgei, Mark Korir and Matthew Kiptoo. On the women side Eunice Kirwa and Alice Timbilil are the top names.

VIENNA (AUT): Barcelona 1500 m finalist Andreas Vojta and World Mountaing Running champion Andrea Mayr are the Austrian athletes of the year 2010. In the vote organised by Austrian Federation OLV the best young athlete of the year was middle distance runner Jennifer Wenth.

NEW DELHI (IND): The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will undertake the changes to its constitution demanded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) when its holds its annual meeting in February, informs insidethegames. Suresh Kalmadi, the chairman of the IOA (and IAAF Council Member), promised to respond to calls from the IOC, who sent him a letter earlier this month calling for the changes, which included the 34 sports federations having voting rights with only their Presidents eligible to take part.

SEVILLA (ESP)): Reigning male world CC champion Kenyan Joseph Ebuya is the biggest star of the Cross Internacional de Italica which will be staged on January 16 at the Santiponce park in Sevilla (IAAF CC Permit). His main rivals will be road world record holder Leonard Komon and Ugandan Commonwealth winner Moses Kipsiro. In the women race Kenyan duel of world champions is announced. Linet Masai versus Emily Chebet. On the home side European silver marathon winner Chema Martinez is confirmed.

ZAGREB (CRO): World and European female athlete of the year high jumper Blanka Vlasic was voted for fifth time Croatian Sportswoman of the Year. Second place in the poll of sports daily Sportske Novosti for discus Euro winner Sandra Perkovic. Male winner was alpine-skier Ivica Kostelic.

WARSZAWA (POL): In the 53rd poll of European News Agencies the best European Sports Personality of 2010 is tennis player Rafael Nadal ahead of F1 pilot Sebastian Vettel. Third place and best woman is high jump European Champion Blanka Vlasic. More track representatives in top twenty are 7th French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre and 13th Norwegian javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen. In total 68 names were included in the votes, most from one sport was from athletics with 9 names.

BERLIN (GER): German hurdler Carolin Nytra is following in the footsteps of Kirsten Bolm by changing her coach to Rüdiger Harksen. Harksen said he can see a lot of similarities between the athletes and believes Nytra can finally be the 'queen' of German hurdling writes leichtathletik.de. Nytra did not give out details about her next competitions.

LONDON (GBR): Jessica Ennis has revealed that winning the European indoor championships in Paris would be a dream come true and it would bring her closer to her plan to become the first British woman to land a clean sweep of major gold medals writes The Mirror. Ennis already won the World indoor and outdoor championships and the European outdoor championships. Winning in Paris would leave only the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games on the list.

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