13.07.2010

Chat with Steve Hooker

Steve Hooker has won the lot globally - world outdoor and indoor titles and of course the 2008 Olympic laurels - and in the last couple of seasons has come close to a consistency in height that could soon see six metres become his benchmark performance.

Hooker won his world indoor crown in Doha in March with 6.01m and has a career best, also from indoor competition, of 6.06m in 2009.

The Australian is also a party to one of the most potent duels in athletics at the moment, his adversary being France's Renaud Lavillenie (PB 6.01 - 2009). Neither man has so far successfully cleared a 6m bar this outdoor season with Hooker's best being 5.91 to the Frenchman's 5.94m, the latter currently leading the world season lists in 2010.

Their next encounter will be at the Meeting Areva - Samsung Diamond League in Paris this Friday, July 16, and with Hooker yet to take victory in four Diamond League outings and Lavillenie leading the pole vault Diamond Race with 17 points to his name, could it be time for the world and Olympic champion to take his revenge at the Frenchman's home meet?

“Since the New York Diamond League I’ve had some good, consistent training and I feel like I’m ready to start jumping well," commented Hooker recently.

“Now I feel like I’ve got enough jumps in me to go out there and be confident in what I’m doing."

CHAT WITH STEVE HOOKER!

Ahead of his Paris competition, Steve has kindly agreed to give up some of his time to answer your questions.

Please join Steve Hooker live from Paris for a chat at 4:00am AEST, Friday 16 July.

Click here to chat with Steve - Samsung Diamond League website.

With thanks to the IAAF