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December 2009
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Lebid ready for Brussels showdown |
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10.12.2008 |
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'The only goal is to win' says Ukranian Serhiy Lebid.
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Seven times SPAR
European Cross Country Champion Serhiy Lebid will lead Ukrainian team to the Brussels meet on December
14. With the return of Britain's
Mo Farah, winner of 2006 edition, the title tussle in the Belgian capital is
set for a riveting showdown. The 33-year-old,
who has had some injury concerns during the summer, is now fighting fit to
defend his title. The veteran has undergone intensive altitude training ahead
of the much awaited contest in Brussels
and will be going for the title for the eighth time. Following are the excerpts
from an interview.
Does seven previous wins put an extra pressure
of expectation on you before the SPAR
European Cross Country Championships in Brussels?
It is normal,
I guess. Everyone wants to watch a
spectacular competition, and at the same time a victory for their athlete. I have raised the bar for myself greatly after winning half of the previous
SPAR European Cross Country Championships. Now I don't really think too much about what I did
in the past years. I do not feel any extra pressure from any quarter. Brussels meeting is the first competitions of my winter
season. The result here will just reflect the effort of my autumn preparation.
Does that mean you
have not set any goals for yourself for the Brussels meeting?
Of course! There
is a goal. And the only aim is to -
win! But let's not make any plans too early! Anything can happen in Brussels.
Are you
well aware of the local peculiarities of the Brussels course?
Yes, I have run on the course several times. It can not be called a course
of highest complications. There are some difficult areas with dirt and slopes
but I'm ready to face
the task at hand.
Have you already decided on some strategy
for December 14?
No plans and no
tactics in advance. I will wait till the beginning
of the race and will think about any strategy than and there itself. That has
been my approach since I have started running cross country. To put it simply -
I will try to hold on to an advantageous position in the
leading group and make a dash before the finish.
What about the strategy of the Ukrainian
team?
The strategy that we follow as a team is simple and effective. We
believe in the dictum - the higher the personal achievement, the better the
team results!
What are your plans for the upcoming winter season?
Last year I sacrificed
World Cross Country Championships to preparee for
the Beijing Olympics but unfortunately I could not qualify. The summer season
was not good because of injuries. But now I'm feeling great. We will see how I
fare at the European Cross Country Championships and after that I will discuss
it with my manager and we will finalise our plan for the winter season. I am
hopeful that I will be in a good shape for the World Cross Country
Championships, which is high on my agenda.
And finally, do you believe Cross Country
running could be a part of the Olympic Games in future?
I will certainly like to believe so! The Olympic program includes
a lot of sports that are no where close to cross country running in terms of popularity.
You just have to look around at the number of spectators who turnout to watch Cross
Country races anywhere in Europe, Americans or
African towns and you'll have an answer! Thousands of people regularly come to the course for
Cross Country. I believe, if Cross-Country
running became a part of the Olympic Games, IOC would never regret that.
With
grateful thanks to Liudmyla Lakusheva.
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