Stockholm

4:00.93 - what a sensational run by Sarah Jamieson to break the 10 year old record in the 1500m. I was so excited to be there to see her smash 2.5 seconds off her personal best.

I was pacing up and down after Jamo’s race waiting for her time to come up. Finally it came up on the big screen and it fired me up for my third round jump of 6.71m which was the best in my series. After competing in Stockholm in 2002, 2004 and now 2006, I have placed 3rd in each of the meets. At least I’m consistent in my placing and 6.71 is my longest performance in Stockholm to date.

I always love coming to Stockholm. In 2003 my siblings had organised a surprise visit in Stockholm but because I hurt my knee a week earlier, I had to miss the meet. A month later, after the World Championships final, my sibling again (great supporters) joined me in Paris and showed me that they had been to the Icebar. The Nordic Hotel is the venue we stay at for the meet each year and the Icebar (where everything is made of ice including the drinking vessels) is on the ground floor of the hotel. I was devastated that I’d missed out on catching up with them.

In 2004, Gaz-a-Baz came to Stockholm so we had a short stint in the Icebar after the meet but I only managed about 20 minutes because I was so cold. This year, after Jamo’s record Clinton Hill, Kym Howe, Sarah and myself enjoyed a celebratory drink in the Icebar. Jamo was a little concerned about frostbite so again left within 30 minutes.

Big congratulations again to my homegirl Jamsie - you’re a star and I love your work.