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ShareMumbai: Steffi Nerius, Olympian & one of track and field's most remarkable figures, speaks to DNA.
What made you choose a career as coach of the paralympic team?
It's interesting. The whole of my life I've been into sport and it's a profession for me. I became a (paralympic) coach in 2002, I studied rehabilitation and handicapped sports. After my retirement I got into it full-time. Last year I got my 'A' license, and that's the biggest level you can have.
Are there particular challenges working with paralympic athletes?
The training is much the same. You must be a little creative, because some people might have only one arm or one leg.
You peaked in your mid-thirties, an age when most athletes are long retired...
You might think that when you see the medals. At 23, I was the best in the world, but I didn't throw well during the World Championships. That was always my problem. I was good from 1995, I used to throw far, but not at the right moment. But since 2002 I improved a great deal because I got a mental conditioning coach. I got my first (major) medal in 2002. It was perfect training and I got perfect during the biggest competitions.
Didn't you have a problem remaining fit into your thirties?
I come from East Germany, my career started at 13. The first three years I did a lot of athletics and swimming and jumping, and that's why I developed good co-ordination. That's the reason I could throw for such a long time. I knew what was good for me and what was bad for me.
You've been in four Olympics. What were your most memorable moments?
At my first Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, I was in the final. I was among the top 12 and we had three throws. I was in ninth place after two throws and I knew I must throw farther. At the same time the 100m final began and Linford Christie had two wrong starts, and I was wondering if he would be disqualified! And then I was out of the final! I hadn't been concentrating hard enough on my event. Every Olympics was different. For me the best was Sydney. Even though I was fourth and didn't get the medal.
You grew up in East Germany. What did the reunification mean to you?
When I was 19 the country became united. It was a great moment in history, but for me personally it wasn't so important, because I had a good time in East Germany.
You won a gold in your fourth World Championships and you finished your career at the same venue where you'd won your first medal in 1991...
The gold at Berlin was the biggest moment of my life. Now I have a full-time job. It is the most important point for me.
