#lalova

“I first remember Stefka when I was a kid, and my parent’s waking me up in the middle of the night to watch her compete in major competitions. I watched her on a small television in my parent’s house in the kitchen. I always felt so tense watching her jump. 

Stefka Kostadinova on her way to Olympic high jump gold in 1996

"Bulgaria is a small country, of only around seven million people, and I’ve got to know her well. I first met her when I was competing at the World Youth Championships in Debrecen in 2001. Even today she is amazing, the way she looks. She still looks in shape to jump 2.09m. I like the way Stefka is always so calm, whereas I’m more emotional.

"It is important, though, to make competition more spectacular. I’m definitely one for more street athletics. I always wanted to compete in the event in Manchester.

"I really like the fact the [Zurich] Diamond League meeting has the shot put held in the train station in the city centre. This is interesting. A new way of thinking and we should go in this direction.