You have seen I haven’t come in cheerful – said Blanka Vlašić at the beginning of the press conference.
 
We waited to hear what she is going to say about the Olympics.
- The subject of this press conference is not only the Olympic Games in London, but also I believe it is time for all of you to know about the happenings in the past few months. And the problems I’ve been through – Blanka started

- I’m happy to be blest with 13 years long carrier with no serious injuries, only a few athletes can brag with that.  A few months ago I had to face an injury which resulted in operation. I believe that was necessary and that it bought me the next 13 years in my carrier.

- The arthroscopic operation has taken place on January 31st.  First I would like to emphasize that it were two operations in one. Except of the fact that the bone was pressuring the Achilles tendon, it was literally in side of it. It was necessary to remove it and to shave of the part of Achilles tendon, but also to reconstruct the joint. There have been some calcifications in the bone and the joint has lost its mobility and was damaging the tendon…

- Simply, I got the new joint. With all they were saying, two months later I should still be recovering. That is the procedure for someone who occasionally runs on Marijan. That’s not me.

- Even though I have encountered this kind of things before, I didn’t know what to expect. I had to fully adjust to the new conditions. I even had to get the new insoles because my foot print changed.  And even though it was a small procedure, it was still a serious operation.

- I had all together four stitches; they entered my foot on two sides. One of the stitches was a bit itchy, the one in the inner side of heal… But, it was so small that I didn’t even think it could be serious.

- There was pain. But, the healthy pain. Then, during the basic preparations the stitch started to burst, it looked ugly, I felt a little pellet and that hurt. Bandages and common ways of fixing the problem didn’t work. I have tried non-aggressive methods to have the liquid drip out. It seems it was something left behind after the operation. It was granuloma, the way body protects itself. As much as it a protection, it is also a problem. I had to have an anesthesia operation to have it out; I got the new four stitches. My skin is sensitive so it takes longer to heal.

- I had to take ten days off to have it healed. I went to London, to see doctor Đurović; I had a treatment with special devices, on Achilles tendon. I spent seven days there, and when the stitches were ready to be taken off I ran with no pain and returned full of enthusiasm to start the trainings. It was supposed to be a start of a new, serious cycle.

- Then we removed the stitches and the wound opened soon. At that time I had my first jump of small intensity with four step momentum. I knew the sprinter shoes would have some consequence ones I put them on.

- That night I thought everything is OK: it hurt a bit, but I thought that ice can solve it. I thought we’re on the run. At the same time the wound still looked bad especially because it was on bad place, no matter how much I protected it with bandages.

- That was the first and the last night with no worries. I woke up in hard pain in my leg and for the first time after the surgery I used crutches. At that point the only thing mattered was if I can ever jump. The ice didn’t help and the wound had swollen. I called the doctor in Sweden who said to come as soon as possible. That happened in Thursday, I was there on Sunday. The doctor said it was an infection.

- I felt at ease because I thought everything was smashed inside. The next day his suspicions confirmed. The wound did not heal well.

- He took the swab of the wound and gave me antibiotics. At first we didn’t know what bacteria it was but it was not MRSA, nor any of serious ones…

- Still I could not walk. I stayed in Sweden till things got better. In a few days I throw away the crutches but still that wasn’t it. For the next ten days I will use antibiotics and the wound is finally growing well.

- What I would like to emphasize is that I did magnetic control, and the Achilles tendon and the joint are both in good condition. My future carrier is not in the question. The thing I have to be realistic about is this season and the Olympics. I will not give up on London or jumping high quality.

- I don’t want to go there and jump 190 or 195. We all know what I’m interested in, but also I will not jeopardize the next ten years of my carrier, or live in fear. I’ve been at the Olympics twice, I know what it means, but staying in the Olympic village and fear whether or not will I be the finalist - that would be defeating. When the time comes to go, I will know whether I’m going or not.

- The Olympics should be a reward for me at this point. You should not see it as a tragedy; there are many more tragic destinies than mine. People wake up in the morning thanking God they are alive, and I have a small problem called infection. I hope to come back step by step, my motivation is better than ever. I do not doubt that the next part of my carrier in right in front of me and I plan to live it through as it was the first time.

- I will not give up. I’m persistent and stubborn; I know there are things left to be done. Maybe it seems as if I got run out of luck, but that is only a perspective. I could complain over the circumstances, or look ahead and take control over the damage that has been done to start off to the most important goal: to come back in good health and not to have a season like this again. I hope we will have many more years together.

- The dead line for decision about the Olympics is a day before the take off. I would rather not guess the percentages. After all, I never even hoped this could happen. Let’s be honest: do you want me to go there just for fun? I don’t want to afford that to all of us.

- There is no need for tears. They are an emotion that blinds the mind, and I need a clear mind at this point. There is no golden medal that went smooth.

- When the pain calms I will start with the trainings. I have to work on strengthening the joint and some specific exercising. My body is well, the thyroid is not a sports injury and there is no reason not to jump as soon as they let me.

- I was born for this and every part of my being feels right about it. I cannot imagine myself doing something else nor do I feel it is time to retire. I feel I’m half way up. God has given me some temptations which I will win over and hopefully learn something out of it.
Lake Lowe said: they are bored without me.