Blanka Vlasic wins women’s high jump

The Croat cleared the bar at 2.03 meters on her second attempt and then watched as Sweden’s Emma Green and Ariane Friedrich of Germany failed to match her mark at Barcelona’s Olympic stadium. Green took silver and Friedrich bronze.

“I had zero confidence tonight and struggling hard to achieve a good jump. Luckily it was enough to win,” Vlasic said of Croatia’s only medal of the event.

Vlasic, the reigning world indoor and outdoor champion, said her whole season has lacked spark.

“I’m strong but I need to be more explosive at the end. This whole season I’ve been waiting for that peak,” said Vlasic, who pounded her fists into some advertising banners and roared in delight after winning.

“I wanted to win for myself because the first part of the season wasn’t very easy for me.”

Vlasic said she had been struggling physically this season.

“If it was a mental (problem), I wouldn’t have been able to win today,” she said. “No one can talk about that I have two world titles and none in Europe. This is like my collection is getting complete.”

The only gold Vlasic is missing is Olympic after coming second to Tia Hellebaut of Belgium in Beijing two years ago. Hellebaut, the defending European champion, finished fifth after failing to clear 1.97.

“I think I could have jumped more than 2.01 tonight, which is why I’m sad,” Friedrich said.

Green, meanwhile, cleared 2 meters for the first time.

“The first 2-meter jump is very special,” Friedrich told Green afterward. “You will never forget this. Never.”