Neues Deutschland. May 19, 1969.
Neues Deutschland: How does it feel to be the newly crowned European champion?
Karin Janz: Happy - very happy. That goes without saying!
ND: Did you expect to win the title?
KJ: I had hoped to, especially when I learned that the top Soviet gymnasts - Kuchinskaya, Voronina, and Petrik - as well as the Czechoslovakian Krajcerova, would not be competing.
ND: So, what was it actually like on the floor exercise?
KJ: I got mixed up during the first tumbling pass; suddenly, I didn't know how to proceed. So I focused very intensely on the music and managed to get back into the rhythm of the routine with two cartwheels. I thought to myself: "You can't just stop and stand there."
ND: And on the beam?
KJ: I was certainly relieved when I was back down on the ground and everything had gone smoothly.
ND: Are you satisfied with your score of 38.65 in the all-around competition?
KJ: Especially with my lead of 0.55 points over the runner-up. I never dared to dream of such a decisive victory.
ND: What kind of questions did the journalists ask in the interview room?
KJ: All sorts of things. Mainly they wanted to know how long I've been training, how old I am, what my life is like and where I live, how I'm doing in school, and things like that.
ND: Was there anything in particular worth mentioning?
KJ: Yes, actually. I mentioned that two years ago, the readers of Junge Welt voted me Sportswoman of the Year, and that last year I was voted runner-up. I think people were interested to see just how much the public back home takes an active interest in the successes of our athletes and gymnasts. In any case, everyone was writing away quite eagerly. [At this point, the conversation with Karin was interrupted by a Swedish official who handed her a telegram - the first she had received.]
ND: May we ask who it's from?
KJ: Signed: Heidi and Ulli... Heidi and Ulli? - Ah! Heidemarie Steiner and Heinz-Ullrich Walther - our figure skaters are sending their congratulations! Isn't that wonderful?
ND: So, what happens next, following the European Championships?
KJ: In early June, we have a competition in the Soviet Union; then comes the big gymnastics exhibition at the 5th German Gymnastics and Sports Festival.
ND: Your goal for the 1970 World Championships in Ljubljana?
KJ: To secure the best possible finish - at all costs.
ND: And until then...
KJ: ...there is still a lot to do. To further perfect my optional routines and to master the compulsory exercises.
ND: You aspire to become a doctor. Do you already have any specific ideas regarding a specialization?
KJ: Yes, I would like to become either a pediatrician or a sports physician.
This interview was conducted by our special correspondent, Herbert Wolf, at the winners' banquet following the first day of competition in Landskrona.