Lebedeva takes stock and dreams of Moscow | 14.09.2012
"I don't take any irreversible decisions," said Lebedeva speaking of the future. "I shall continue to quietly train and act as vice-president of the All Russia Athletics Federation. In the upcoming elections I decided not to stand for first Vice-President but decided to continue to work on a voluntary basis. I have not yet decided to take on too many liabilities. I think the current position will be more comfortable for me."
In other words, she is leaving the door open to continue her athletics career, which she interrupted for the birth of her second child, Sasha, last year.
"During the winter I shall compete in a couple of meetings, and in the summer I plan to compete for pleasure. I might even give some big meetings a miss like the world championships and just enjoy jumping and the atmosphere."
After jumping a promising 14.68 to win the Russian trials, Lebedeva might have been expected to do better in London, but it was not to be as she finished 10th in the Olympic final.
"That's exactly why I don't want to set myself any impossible goals," she said. "I understand that I will no longer be able to compete against the best jumpers – my health is not what it was. But I can't just up and leave the sport. It is my life. I did not jump for two years so I want to extend the pleasure to the maximum. I shall compete at a lower level, including possibly a couple of Diamond League meetings."
But despite protestations to the contrary, she does have one eye on Moscow next summer. "Taking into account my current form I cannot realistically compete for medals, but if everything goes smoothly and I avoid injury I would not rule out being selected for the home world championships," she said.
"But I am not predicting great things, today I might feel good but tomorrow I could get an old injury back and my dreams will be dashed. It is better to be cautious. Of course I dream of performing at the world championships in Moscow and finishing my career there, but at the same time I don't want to lose face in front of the home crowd."
But that is in the future. What are her immediate plans? "Just tomorrow I shall take stock of my injuries and in October I shall take the mud bath cure. In general, before a period of rehab comes a period of analysis and easy recovery – and licking my wounds!"
