Ath: Hooker vaults into Olympic history = 3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2008
Ath: Hooker vaults into Olympic history = 3

Despite the intense pressure of having to clear 5.90m on his final jump to win gold,
Hooker said he felt confident.

"I took a moment before jumping at 5.90m and just realised that I was doing something
that every kid dreams of," Hooker told reporters.

"I had my destiny in my own hands - Evgeny was out of the competition, if I clear that
bar I am an Olympic gold medallist.

"I did think that I was the kind of person that could stand up and take that kind of opportunity.

"To have done it is a dream come true."

Hooker said the magnitude of his achievement would take time to comprehend.

"It's amazing, the reality of it hasn't sunk in," he said.

"Sailing over that bar with a clean clearance, I really got to enjoy it.

"I knew I was over it and that is the good thing about my event - you get that opportunity
to fall to earth and that is an experience that probably other people rarely get to happen
in their events or sport or anything.

"I'm lucky to be a pole vaulter, I'm lucky to be an Aussie gold medallist and an Australian
and all sorts of things, I'm a very lucky guy right now."

Hooker could have easily accepted his gold medal after clearing 5.90m, but said he
was determined to continue jumping so he could claim the Olympic record set by Mack in
Athens.

"The Olympic record is really special to me. Tim Mack who jumped the Olympic record
at the last Olympics is a really good friend of mine and an idol of mine," said Hooker.

"What he did four years ago was so amazing and I was really hoping to replicate what
I did and I actually can't believe that it has come true.

"He is in Beijing as well ... I hope I get to catch up with him and have a beer with
him. We can compare war stories or something."

He said dedicating his life to his sporting discipline had paid off with the ultimate reward.

"So much time and so much planning and so much effort, so many sacrifices - so much
has gone into this for me," he said.

"There have been so many people supporting me through this, this is not just for me,
it's for all of them.

"It's an amazing feeling and I just hope they are feeling half as amazing as I am because
it's cool, it's a really cool thing.

"I feel like I deserve this, and I'm going to enjoy it."

AAP sl/gab/tb

KEYWORD: OLY08 ATH AUST N/L 3 BEIJING (REOPENS)

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