Emma George

Sport: Track & Field
Events: Pole Vault
Club: University of WA
Date of Birth: 01/11/74
Height: 172cm
Age: 27

Sporting bio and achievements:
As a youngster Emma George spent four years performing as an acrobat with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Aged 12, Emma left the circus to pursue her love of track and field. Seven years later, Emma spotted a notice at her local athletics club seeking women who were intetested in trying their hand at pole vaulting. With a little ambition and a mountan of talent - the rest, as they say, is history.

In a sport which until recently has been largely dominated by men’s athletics, Emma has made it her own, becoming number 1 in the world for pole vaulting. This happened soon after she received the first ever Women’s Commonwealth Gold Medal.

It is largely due to Emma’s success and high profile as a pioneer for women’s pole-vaulting, that this sport was included in the 1999 World Championships and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

During her career Emma has rewritten the history books time after time. She has been the world indoor and outdoor record holder since 1995 before losing both of these titles in 2000 to American Stacy Dragila. Despite a number of serious injuries Emma is now digging deep for the motivation and promises to be back for Athens in 2004 to achieve her ultimate ambition – an Olympic Gold Medal.

Emma’s naturally outgoing style conveys a strong message particularly about the need to maintain motivation despite facing adversity. She is a powerful role model for those who set the highest expectations for themselves.

Career Highlights:
World Ranking 2nd (outdoor)
World Ranking 3rd (Indoor)
Former World Outdoor Record Holder – 4.60m (1999)
Broken the Outdoor World Record 12 times
Has broken the Indoor World Record 5 times
Gold Medal – Commonwealth Games (1998)
Gold Medal – World University Games Outdoor (1997)
Silver Medal – World Championships Indoor (1997)

Tamara Tomato was bursting out of her skin to interview Emma…..

Tamara Tomato:
Hi Emma, thanks for taking time out of your very busy schedule to speak to us today. I want to hear all about pole vaulting, particularly about who has been your toughest opponent?
Emma George:
Hi Tamara, pole vaulting is such a great sport and my toughest opponent is definately Stacey Dragila from the US. She broke my World Record in 2001 and is a very tough competitor. We are also friends but once she is on the track, she is extremely tough.

Tamara Tomato:
Wow, it must be very hard to compete against such great athletes. Pole vaulting seems like such a challenging sport, can you please tell us about your worst every injury?
Emma George:
I had surgery on both my feet after the Olympics and last year I had major back surgery. I had not competed since the Olympic Games because of injury and am looking forward to getting back on the track again.

Tamara Tomato:
Gosh, it sounds like a very difficult sport, however the sport has also given you a lot, hasn’t it? What do you think has been your biggest achievement in sport?
Emma George:
Helping to evolve women’s pole vault as a sport and also breaking 12 outdoor and four indoor World Records.

Tamara Tomato:
Wow that’s just amazing! You’ve achieved so much - have you ever had a losing streak?
Emma George:
Yes, I had a very difficult year leading into the 2000 Olympics. I think things always go up and down and I had a very good lead up in the years prior to the games. I am looking forward to a few good years again and I am much stronger now mentally than I have ever been before.

Tamara Tomato:
I guess everyone has a tough time at some stage, so how did you overcome these bad times?
Emma George:
I thought about what I needed to do to get better. I remembered what it was like to win, how much I enjoy the sport and I was not willing to give up. Since my two operations, I have become even more determined to make a come back. At one stage it looked like my vaulting career may have been over but I was positive and I have been fortunate to have another chance. I am going to enjoy myself and my goal is to represent Australia again.

Tamara Tomato:
You are definitely a very positive person Emma. Now I know eating healthy has been very important to you, so can you please tell us which are your favourite fruits?
Emma George:
I love strawberries, raspberries, apricots, pineapple and mangos.

Tamara Tomato:
So what are your favourite vegetables?
Emma George:
Salads are great and I love vegetables but I will not eat brussel sprouts.

Tamara Tomato:
It really sounds like you love salads, but I can’t believe you don’t like brussel sprouts. What is your favourite food in general?
Emma George:
Italian food and anything chocolate. Unfortunately these things are pretty much well off the diet but I do enjoy small amounts sometimes.

Tamara Tomato:
I love Italian food and chocolate as well, but you are right – it’s best to enjoy in moderation! Emma, if you hadn’t turned out to be such a legend athlete, what do you think you would have chosen to do as a career?
Emma George:
I work in Marketing part time as I studied Arts (Indonesian language) / Commerce (Marketing) at University. I call this my real job and if I wasn’t training so hard, then I would probably be at my real job 5 days a week instead of 3!

Tamara Tomato:
Wow you sound incredibly busy. If you have any spare time, what do you like to do in it?
Emma George:
I love the water and living in Perth. I go scuba diving, fishing, hiking, spend time with my partner and pets as well as catching up with friends.

Tamara Tomato:
You sound very active. Now Emma, you are a hero to many of us, but can you please tell me who is your hero?
Emma George:
My hero is Melinda Gainsford Taylor. I admire her because she is a great athlete but also because she is a wonderful person and role model. It is not always about winning but what you give to your sport and others around you.

Tamara Tomato:
Melinda is definitely a great role model. Emma, what do you think is the best thing about playing sport?
Emma George:
The opportunity to represent Australia is a great honor and I love pole vaulting. It is a fantastic way to keep fit and visit places that you would not otherwise get the opportunity to do

Tamara Tomato:
Sounds like a dream job - travelling, keeping fit and representing Australia!. What is your favourite motto?
Emma George:
You only get out of things what you put into it.

Tamara Tomato:
You are absolutely right, it’s a fantastic motto. Emma, thanks for answering all my questions and for spending the time with us today. On behalf of the "F & V Gang" I would like to wish you the very best and I have no doubt you will be representing Australia again and doing us proud!