On Saturday at the Kyiv Olympic Sports complex an ovation sounded for something other than soccer. Olympic champions Valery Borzov, Mykola Avylov, and Serhiy Bubka routed competitors from four continents in light athletics. In the women’s pole vault competition Kyiv native Anzhela Balakhonova set a new European record of 4 meters 37 cm., outdistancing such rivals as former world record holder Stacy Dragila of the US and Ester Szemeredi of Hungary by half a meter.
The Day: Anzhela, thanks for the record! Whom are you going to dedicate it to?
AB: Whom? Why, nobody. I just jumped. I worked with my trainer, Yuri Tsasiuk, in Italy during April. In order not to aggravate an Achilles tendon injury we employed special exercises.
The Day: And in such shape you took on the world record of 4:60?
AB: Honestly speaking, taking on one more record Saturday was unrealistic. But the trial was hard, to feel the higher grip of the pole.
The Day: And what do you plan next?
AB: I have been invited to a number of commercial events, but everything depends on how my foot heals. I will start where I can, including in the summer 1998 European championship.
The Day: Will you remember the day of May 16?
AB: That day a number of tribunes were full. I am very grateful to Kyiv fans.
AP Photo:
Anzhela Balakhonova reaches for the Cosmos







