The Big Interview: Spain’s Sanchez aims for glory on home court in Barcelona - European Athletics (EAA) - News
European Athletics: Hi Sergio, you enjoyed a great season so you must be full of confidence going into the summer season?
Sergio Sanchez: I am very pleased about how the winter turned out for me and now I am hoping to be able to do the same in the summer season.
The European Athletics Championships is going to take place in Barcelona, the city of your home club. You must be looking forward to the event?
Of course, I am looking forward to the championships, especially because they will be held in Barcelona.
What kind of advantage do you think you will have since the championships are going to be held on your home soil?
Obviously we will have the “home-court” advantage because of the support we will receive from the public, but in athletics, only you and your body have to face the cruel reality and any advantage you may have is reduced.
Does this bring a certain pressure/expectation?
We will certainly be under pressure to do well in our own country and like all of the athletes we will try our best to live up to those expectations.
Which event/s do you plan to compete in and what are your main goals in Barcelona?
I would like to compete in both the 5000m and the 10000m, but, as of now, I have still not competed in 10000m and I would have to run under the minimum time set by the federation. I am planning on trying to do both, but we shall see how things pan out. My main objective this year is to make it to the final at the European Athletics Championship and I definitely want to be on the podium.
The Spaniards, in particular Jesus España (the defending champion) and Alemayehu Bezabeh are going to be my toughest competition. But we cannot forget the British runner Mo Farah and Rui Silva from Portugal. Plus new people always appear.
Spain has a great tradition in endurance running. Why do you think that is the case?
For two reasons: the weather that allows us to train well all year long and the system of competitions that we have. A fantastic Cross Country circuit that we compete in all winter along combined with a full indoor and outdoor calendar gives us more opportunities to compete.
Going back to the beginning, how did you get into athletics?
Ever since I was a young boy I have been participating in athletics. I have been on the podium at all the Spanish championships in almost every category since I was very young. That is why I have always been very motivated to continue to improve.
When did you first discover you were fast?
I was always the fastest among all my classmates.
Did you play any other sports as a youngster and, if so, to what standard?
In the beginning I played football, but I was always arguing with the coach, so I decided to change to a more individual sport where I could be myself and not have to depend on anyone else.
I guess you still follow football, which club do you support?
I have always supported “La Robla” from my hometown, but obviously my club is “Futbol Club Barcelona”, the best in the world.
Do you get your talent from your mother or father?
I don’t really know, but my father always coached me from a very young age, but not now.
What memories do you have of Fermin Cacho’s gold medal win in the men’s 1500m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games?
Even though I was very young, I remember the moment perfectly. It made a huge impact on all the Spanish fans, but I think it changed the athletes and made us believe in ourselves and created a winning mentality.
Did you have any athletics heroes when you were younger?
Fermin Cacho, Martin Fiz (former world and European Marathon champion) Abel Anton (two-time world Marathon champion) and Haile Gebreselassie.
As I said before, I was always one of the top three, with better results in Cross Country than on the track.
You started out as a 1500m runner, so was it a tough decision to move up in distance?
Even though I started out as a 1500m runner, I have always considered myself to be more of a 3000m or 5000m runner. My times for the 1500m have always been comparatively inferior to my times for the 3000m and 5000m.
Why do you think it took so long to find your feet at the international level?
Maturity is the most important thing in athletics and no one can foresee when this maturity reaches its optimal point. Some athletes reach it at an earlier age, peak earlier, but also go downhill earlier, and some, later.
I started training three times a day and, also, the intensity of the training has been much greater.
Who is your coach and what kind of inspiration has he been?
My coach is Raul Lazo. He has given me the confidence I needed to believe in myself and given me the opportunity to achieve my goals.
Can you explain a bit about your training group?
My training group is made up of local athletes from Leon where I live. They have different levels, some compete in track and some others on the road; Half Marathons and Marathons.
You defeated world Cross Country champion Joseph Ebuya and the European Cross Country champion Aleymayehu Bezabeh in Venta de Banos. Was that the point you thought you would produce something special during the 2010 indoor season?
It was very exciting for me to beat the guys who were to be the European and world Cross Country champions. In addition, Venta de Baños is very near my home, which made it even more meaningful to me. I think I was able to beat them that day because it was one of the coldest days we have ever had in Spain in all recorded history. It was -10º C at the time of the race and I told myself, “These African runners are going to have a hard time today running against someone from an area who is more used to the cold.”
I was not that surprised because my pre-competition training sessions had already indicated that I was capable of doing what I did.
You claimed a magnificent silver in the World Indoor Championships. Did that performance exceed expectations?
Not at all. After having broken the European 3000m indoor record, I was confident that I was going to be on the podium at the World Championships.
How did you celebrate after?
When I got back to my hometown, I was accorded a hero’s welcome.
What are your long-term goals in the sport?
Try to improve little by little every day. I dream of one day winning a medal at the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
How has your life changed since winning silver at the World Indoor Championships?
For now it has changed a little bit. I hope it will change more as I achieve more and more significant triumphs.
You always wear a nose clip while competing. Why did you start to do this?
I have some breathing problems and this helps me to improve my breathing.
What other interests do you have beyond the track?
Really I am only interested in living a quiet life in my small city, Leon, and try to win races. I also love cars and motor races.
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