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Samsung Diamond League Ambassador - Steven Hooker

Chat with the World and Olympic champion


15 July Start time 4:00 PM End time 4:30 PM Central European Time (GMT+2hrs)

12 July 2010 - Paris, France - Steven 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 6 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 (16), and with Hooker yet to win at any of this previous four outings in the new series and Lavillenie leading the Diamond Race in that event with 17pts, 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."

Ahead of his Paris competition, Samsung Diamond League Ambassador Steven Hooker has kindly agreed to give up  some of his time on the eve of the meeting to answer your questions.

So please join Steven Hooker, who will be in Paris, on Thursday 15 July  for a webchat at 1600hrs Central European Time (GMT+2hrs).

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THE CHAT IS NOW CLOSED.

Thank you for your questions

THANK YOU STEVE FOR GIVING UP SOME OF YOUR VALUABLE  TIME FOR US TODAY

All questions Displaying records 1-20

15.07.2010 - 4:27 PM | by Colin Bell - Birmingham

Hopefully, there will be time to answer tis... you've had a couple of good comps recently, how high do you think you might be able to go tomorrow night.

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:30 PM Stade De France is a tricky place to jump. I'll be going out tomorrow and competing against the other boys. I'll be happy with a win at any height.


15.07.2010 - 4:25 PM | by Charlie Fong - New York

one more question if I may - do you and your fellow athletes ever discuss ways or brainstorm about how t&f can become more popular? Any ideas you can share?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:29 PM We sure do. I think there is too much emphasis put on raw performance and not enough on head to head competition. We so often get tough conditions when great results aren't possible but a great competition can still take place between two athletes. Also I want to see a 60 second race, a gun goes off, the athletes start running then after a minute the winner is the person who is in the lead. Would be a great competition between 400m and 800m guys.


15.07.2010 - 4:17 PM | by Jim Stevens - Sydney

You look like a guy that might have been good at Aussie Rules when you were at school, how well did you do? Have you got a favourite team?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:24 PM I played Aussie rules as I was growing up in Melbourne. I am a passionate Blues supporter, which can have it's good and bad moments.


15.07.2010 - 4:18 PM | by Charlie Fong - New York

Can you describe the difference in how a height feels as you're- how does going over 5.80 feel as compared to going over 6m?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:24 PM I think 5.80 is the first serious bar in a competition. THis is a height that will normally give you a placing at a big meet. It's a height that takes a weight off your shoulders if you have a clearance. Jumping 6m happens much less often and you have to be totally on your game to clear that height. It normally feels like a totally perfect jump and totally effortless.


15.07.2010 - 4:16 PM | by Douglas Balcomb - California

What is the biggest pole you have been able to get on and shen? Also what was the grip? Looking forward to tomorrow. Hope you fly!

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:21 PM My biggest pole has been a 5.20m 10.7 flex Pacer Carbon fx. My grip was 5.14m.


15.07.2010 - 4:14 PM | by Jim Stevens - Sydney

Are you going to do the Commonwealths this year? They are really late in the season.

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:20 PM I will be competing at the Commonwealth Games, I'm very excited to check out India.


15.07.2010 - 4:15 PM | by Sheila Sofivic - Sydney

Hey mate - we love you! I wanna know, what big thing would you want made to represent you in toowoomba? Cos you know they've got the big bananna and shrimp... Would you get a big pole?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:19 PM I think that I would have appreciated a giant Orangatang as a tribute to my ginger heritage. I've probably missed the boat on that one now with Julia running the country. What an exciting time for ranga's!


15.07.2010 - 4:08 PM | by James H - Kansas City

Is there an 'ideal' wind for pole vaulters?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:16 PM The standard answer to this is a tail wind. I actually prefer still conditions though. I think that's why I love jumping indoors.


15.07.2010 - 4:10 PM | by Brian Tucker - London

Hello Steve - How do you get along with the good French guys Mesnil and Lavillenie at competitions, do you speak French or do they speak English?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:14 PM We all get along well. There is a very healthy friendly rivalry. THe boys speak good english and I speak terrible French!


15.07.2010 - 4:11 PM | by Jean B - Paris

Besides pole vault, what is your favourite athletics event?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:13 PM I love the 800 metres on the track and the Shot Put in the field.


15.07.2010 - 4:06 PM | by Kim Brown - Manchester

Who do you think is better looking? You or Steve Lewis?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:12 PM Definitely Steve Lewis or so he tells me...


15.07.2010 - 4:06 PM | by William Biggs - London

What will it take for Bubka's world record to finally fall?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:11 PM It is an exceptional World Record. I do however think it is achievable. I think it will take a good technical jump in perfect conditions. A bit of competition is a good thing as well. With Renaud pushing up to 6 metres consistantly and others to follow, the level is sure to rise


15.07.2010 - 4:05 PM | by Theo Söderberg - Sweden

Hey! What was your personal best when you were 16? Swedish Melker who is 16 now jumped 5.11m in summer. What do you think about it, do you think he has potential?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:07 PM I havn't actuallly seen him jump but a PB of 5.11 at 16 certainly shows some potential.


15.07.2010 - 4:04 PM | by Douglas Balcomb - California

How do you use the left arm as youstart to swing your trail leg after leaving the ground? Thanks doug

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:05 PM If you watch my jump I don't use a lot of left arm at the point of take off. Then I try and hit the pole agressively with the left as I start to swing my trail leg and get inverted.


15.07.2010 - 4:01 PM | by Josh Thackeray - Brisbane, Australia

good on ya stevie. ill be watching live on eurosport! you are an inspiration bro was praying for you for berlin last year and it all went good for you well done (Y)

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:02 PM Thanks champ.


15.07.2010 - 3:55 PM | by Per Jämtelid - Sweden

What was your PB at the age of 16? Have you seen or heard anything of the young promising polevaulter Melker Svärd Jacobsson, who jumped 5.11 m this summer. Melker is 16 years old.

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:02 PM I was a late starter. I started Pole Vaulting when I was 15, I think my PB was 4.45m when I was 16, 5.00m when I was 17 and 5.30 when I was 18.


15.07.2010 - 3:42 PM | by BRIAN CLUTE - TEXAS

WHAT IS A TYPICAL RUNNING WORKOUT FOR YOU.

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 4:00 PM In preparation phase I do slightly longer running sessions. Up to 200 metres. In season I keep it short and sharp and do nothing more than 80's.


15.07.2010 - 3:36 PM | by BRIAN CLUTE - TEXAS

WHAT IS YOUR MENTAL PREPARATION STANDING ON THE RUNWAY JUST PRIOR TO YOUR JUMP?

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 3:59 PM I try to focus on one or two key technical elements that I want to nail on that particular jump. The things that I focus on change throughout a season. At the moment my big focus is my plant and take off.


15.07.2010 - 3:19 PM | by Josh Thackeray - Brisbane, Australia

hey steve! im josh from australia. you are a big name in my house. i have been following your career since before you won the olympics and i knew you had the potential to achieve the heights you have done. i get up at 2 or 4 oclock in the morning to watch

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 3:58 PM Thanks for your support Josh. Hopefully I can have a good result tomorrow night in Paris


15.07.2010 - 3:35 PM | by Diamond League Moderator - Paris

Steven Hooker is currently giving a press conference and will join us for the chat in about 30mins time, at 4pm CET as advertised. Feel free to start asking questions

Merlyn

Steven Hooker 3:37 PM The final count down has begun to the Samsung Diamond League chat with World and Olympic champion Steven Hooker! Ask your questions and Steven will join us shortly.