5 minutes with... Waterford Crystal European Female Athlete of the Year: Blanka Vlasic (Croatia)

If you could have 5 minutes with your favourite sports star what would you ask? How many hours do they train? What do they eat? Or how about their worst habit, their guiltiest pleasure and their favourite body part!!

As a special pre-Christmas treat, over the coming weeks European Athletics will be publishing a number of '5 minutes with' interviews to help you get inside the heads of Europe's leading athletes - trust us it can be a crazy place!

Our first 5 minutes was spent with the newly-crowned Waterford Crystal European Female Athlete of the Year, the beautiful, entertaining and very tall Croatian World High Jump Champion, Blanka Vlasic...

OK Blanka we hope you are you sitting comfortably!

Not many people know this about me but ...
I'm normal.

You know me as an athlete, but in another truer life I'd be...
Also doing sport, maybe volleyball, or a Pharmacist.

The most surprising thing that ever happened was ...
When I found out that I have Hypertyreosis.

The worst bit of my appearance is...
My nose.

Ah phrase I use to often is ..
‘Oh my God'

I wish more people would take notice of ..
The Global warming issue.

Blanka receives the Waterford Crystal female European
Athlete of the Year Award from President Hansjorg Wirz.
Photo by Picture Alliance.

I'm bad at...
Singing and dealing with unplanned situations.

But I'm good at...
Complicated things.

In moments of weakness I...
Need some time alone.

When I was a child I wanted to be...
An athlete.

At night I dream of...
Bad things (and I sleep talk!)

My biggest regret is...
I have no regrets; every part of life has its own purpose.

My greatest fear is...
Fear of failure.

I get depressed when...
Things don't go as I planned.

Comfort eating...
Is very dangerous...But, I would have to say... chocolate.

I wish I'd never worn...
My lip piercing

My favourite building / city / meeting is...
Diocletian's palace / Split / Split High Jump Indoor meeting

The sound track to my life is...
Different every year

The best invention ever is...
Alternate current - AC (thank you Tesla!)

It's not fashionable but...
I never wear high heals

If I wasn't me I'd like to be...
A woman with smaller feet, so I can wear all kind of shoes

Blanka in action... her biggest fear is not of heights!!!
Photo by Picture Alliance

I drive...
Very good for a girl! (A Peugeot 307)

If I have time to myself...
I try to cook some new dish

The ideal night out is...
When I celebrate a good result with my closest friends

I am currently reading...
Lisa Tucker: ‘Once upon a day'

Last thing I saw on TV was...
Episode of ‘Grey's Anatomy'

In a nutshell my philosophy is...
Everybody creates their own destiny

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A healthy family

The trait you most dislike about yourself?
Sometimes I'm a pessimist

Most treasured possession?
Love

Blanka's favourite finish line music is the sound of the
crowd and she loves to encourage them with her victory
dances.
Photo by Picture Alliance.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Mila Jovovich

Cat or dog?
Cat

Give or receive?
Both

Guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate (but not that often anymore!)

Where and when are you at your happiest?
At the stadium, when I have ‘my day'

Greatest achievement?
Gold medal from Osaka

Most important lesson life has taught you?
You can never be too careful

What have you learned from your travels?
That the world is a beautiful place

Ideal travelling companion?
My boyfriend

Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
Beach bum

Best meal abroad?
Sushi

First thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?
I take a shower

Do you like parties?
Not too much, only when I'm in a very good mood

Best after race / championship party?
I don't remember...

Biggest rival?
Every year a different girl

Well now you know the 'real' Blanka, a lady who deserves
to fly her countries flag with pride.
Photo by Picture Alliance.

You die and go to heaven. Who would you like to meet at the bar?
My grandmother

Ideal dinner companions?
My mother

Last piece of good advice someone gave me was...
‘Just take it easy'

Greatest extravagance?
Piercings

When did you last cry and why?
When I became a world champion... Those were the happy tears...

What song would you like played as you cross the finish line in a big race?
Cheering of the crowd is the best music

How would you like to be remembered?
As a World record holder.

Next athlete to be profiled in this way will be Waterford Crystal European Male Athlete of the Year Tero Pitkämäki (FIN)