Blanka Vlašić

Blanka Vlašić was born on 8 November 1983 in Split, SR Croatia (at the time part of Yugoslavia). From a young age, she was involved in sports: her mother Venera was a seasoned amateur in basketball and cross-country skiing while her father, Joško Vlašić, was an international athlete who broke the Croatian record in the decathlon.[http://www.spikesmag.com/athletes/Heroes/blankavlasic.aspx Blanka Vlasic biography] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714175204/http://www.spikesmag.com/athletes/Heroes/blankavlasic.aspx |date=14 July 2008 }}. Spikes Magazine. Retrieved on 8 May 2009. Her father brought her to the track while he practised and she dreamed of becoming a professional sprinter.Ramsak, Bob (5 March 2008). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=45602.html Focus on Athletes – Blanka Vlasic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527132802/http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=45602.html |date=2009-05-27 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 May 2009. As she grew up she tried a number of sports but found that the high jump was particularly well-suited to her tall and slender frame. Vlašić shunned the idea of competing in more profitable sports, such as basketball, saying that she preferred the thrill of individual sports. She reached the international standard for a high jumper at an early age, setting a personal best of 1.80 metres at fifteen years of age and quickly improving to 1.93 m at sixteen.[http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=CRO/athcode=171037/index.html Vlašic Blanka Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131224503/http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=cro/athcode=171037/index.html |date=2011-01-31 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.

File:Osaka07 D9A Blanka Vlašić.jpg

Vlašić had an early start in international competition: she competed at the inaugural World Youth Championships, finishing eighth,[http://www2.iaaf.org/WYC99/Results/data/W/HJ/Rf.html Official Results – HIGH JUMP – Women – Final] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804030449/http://www2.iaaf.org/WYC99/Results/data/W/HJ/Rf.html |date=4 August 2009 }}. IAAF (17 July 1999). Retrieved on 8 May 2009. and represented her country for the first time at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Although the Olympics showed that she was not ready to compete at the senior level, she proved herself to be more than proficient at the junior level by winning the 2000 World Junior Championships with a jump of 1.91 m.[http://www2.iaaf.org/wjc00/results/data/W/HJ/Rf.html Official Results – HIGH JUMP – Women – Final] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804031540/http://www2.iaaf.org/wjc00/results/data/W/HJ/Rf.html |date=4 August 2009 }}. IAAF (20 October 2000). Retrieved on 8 May 2009. She was a regular competitor at senior athletics meetings and was steadily improving, qualifying for further top-level senior events. Vlašić finished sixth at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton with a mark of 1.94 m, a result which led the IAAF's Ed Gordon to mark her out as a future star in the event.Gordon, Ed (12 August 2001). [http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/News/getnews.asp?Code=4091&imgh=searchnews Cloete gives South Africa Gold] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311045041/http://www2.iaaf.org/WCH01/News/getnews.asp?Code=4091&imgh=searchnews |date=11 March 2009 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 May 2009. She rounded off the year by winning her first senior gold medal at an international tournament, taking first place at the 2001 Mediterranean Games.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/mg.htm Mediterranean Games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412042511/http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/mg.htm |date=2009-04-12 }}. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.

The results of Vlašić's final year as a junior showed further development as a high jumper. She set a new indoor best of 1.92 m at the 2002 European Indoor Championships and was the favourite to win the 2002 World Juniors. She won the competition by a margin of nine centimetres, setting a new personal best of 1.96 m and attempting the symbolic two metres height. She failed to pass the bar but remained pleased with her achievements: "This was the first time I tried the 2-metre mark. That would have been a bonus. Today what matters is the gold. I am very happy I retained my world junior title".[http://www2.iaaf.org/WJC02/news/getnews.asp?Event=WJC02&Code=5443&Kind=1&SubKind=&Imgh=searchnews It's Croatia's day in Kingston] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804030958/http://www2.iaaf.org/WJC02/news/getnews.asp?Event=WJC02&Code=5443&Kind=1&SubKind=&Imgh=searchnews |date=4 August 2009 }}. IAAF (20 July 2002). Retrieved on 8 May 2009. At the final major event of the season, the European Championships, she could not repeat her previous form and finished in fifth place. Nevertheless, at the end of the year she was ranked in the top ten high jumpers in the world for the season.[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2002/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html High Jump 2002] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617224403/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2002/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html |date=17 June 2009}}. IAAF (13 December 2007). Retrieved on 8 May 2009.

The start to the 2003 athletics season was promising – Vlašić set a new personal best in Linz with a jump of 1.98 m and finished fourth at the World Indoor Championships ten days later, her highest finish in a major world tournament.[http://www.iaaf.org/history/WIC/season=2003/eventCode=2959/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=W/discCode=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_HJ_hash_f High Jump – W Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804031338/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WIC/season%3D2003/eventCode%3D2959/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DW/discCode%3DHJ/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |date=4 August 2009 }}. IAAF (16 March 2003). Retrieved on 8 May 2009. June and July yielded further progress, jumping 1.98 m again and improving to 1.99 m to win her first IAAF Golden League event at the Gaz de France. Days later, she jumped the two metres height for the first time on home soil at the IAAF Grand Prix Zagreb. Although Hestrie Cloete won the competition overall, Vlašić's defeat of the psychological barrier and improved personal best was the highlight of the meeting and Cloete praised the young athlete's performance.[http://www.iaaf.org/history/GP/season=2003/news/kind=100/newsid=21750.html Capacity Croatian crowd worships at Vlasic's temple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328180959/http://www.iaaf.org/history/GP/season=2003/news/kind=100/newsid=21750.html |date=28 March 2012}}. IAAF (8 July 2003). Retrieved on 8 May 2009. Vlašić took gold at the 2003 European Athletics Under-23 Championships,[http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5626&Itemid=2 23-year-old Blanka Vlasic (CRO) wins the Waterford Crystal European Female Athlete of the Year 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703043912/http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5626&Itemid=2 |date=3 July 2009 }}. European Athletics (4 October 2007). Retrieved on 18 June 2009. and then she improved her best by another centimetre at the Zürich Grand Prix which qualified her for the World Championships and the first IAAF World Athletics Final. Despite such previous highs, her season ended on a low note as she failed to win a medal at either the World Championships (finishing seventh with 1.95 m) or the Athletics Final in Paris (ending up fourth with 1.96 m).[http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season=2003/eventcode=2963/results/racedate=09-13-2003/sex=W/discCode=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_HJ_hash_f High Jump W] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130113420/http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season%3D2003/eventcode%3D2963/results/racedate%3D09-13-2003/sex%3DW/discCode%3DHJ/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |date=30 January 2011 }}. IAAF. Retrieved on 18 June 2009. Although she had failed to reach the podium at the major championships, only three athletes managed to jump higher than her personal and season's best of 2.01 m in 2003.[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2003/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html High Jump 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401043825/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2003/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html |date=1 April 2009}}. IAAF (16 February 2004). Retrieved on 8 May 2009.

Vlasic started the season well with a bronze medal performance at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships in March. She regularly reached the podium at meetings in the outdoor season and won the 2004 national championships. A Croatian record breaking jump of 2.03 m in Ljubljana put her in good stead for the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, when she competed at the Olympic high jump final she only managed eleventh place with a jump of 1.89 m. Following this, Vlašić did not compete for almost a year: she admitted that she was feeling lethargic and shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with a hyperthyroid condition.

Surgery and recovery ruled out the vast majority of the 2005 athletics season and she only managed to make two competitive appearances. A best of 1.95 m guaranteed her victory at the national championships,[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2005/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html High Jump 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604172601/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=o/age=n/season=2005/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html |date=4 June 2009}}. IAAF (12 January 2006). Retrieved on 18 June 2009. but her jump of 1.88 m was not enough to progress into the finals of the 2005 World Championships.

Although her poor health had spoiled her medals chances at the two major championships of 2004 and 2005, Vlašić came back fully recovered and stronger in the 2006 season. She raised her indoor best to 2.05 m (a national record) at a meet in Banská Bystrica in February,[http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3749&Itemid=78 Vlasic flying high]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. European Athletics (19 July 2006). Retrieved on 18 June 2009. and took silver at the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Although she was beaten to the gold medal by Yelena Slesarenko, she remained positive: "Of course I wanted to win. But when I remember that I was in hospital one year ago it is great."[http://www.iaaf.org/history/WIC/season=2006/eventCode=3483/news/kind=108/newsid=33911.html Women's High Jump Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215075534/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WIC/season=2006/eventCode=3483/news/kind=108/newsid=33911.html |date=15 February 2008}}. IAAF (12 March 2006). Retrieved on 18 June 2009. The 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg proved to be a bittersweet experience: she cleared 2.01 m to finish in fourth place, behind Tia Hellebaut, Venelina Veneva and Kajsa Bergqvist. This was the best-ever non-medal winning jump, and bronze medallist Bergqvist had also finished with 2.01 m but had managed it in fewer attempts. Vlašić capped the season off with an appearance at the 2006 World Athletics Final but withdrew from the competition after her third jump, finishing sixth.[http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season=2006/eventcode=3487/results/bydiscipline/disctype=4/sex=W/discCode=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_HJ_hash_f High Jump W Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022080412/http://www.iaaf.org/history/waf/season%3D2006/eventcode%3D3487/results/bydiscipline/disctype%3D4/sex%3DW/discCode%3DHJ/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |date=22 October 2012 }}. IAAF (9 September 2006). Retrieved on 18 June 2009.

File:Osaka07 D9A WHigh Jump VC.jpg

Although she recorded an indoor season's best of 2.01 m in February,[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=i/age=n/season=2007/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html High Jump 2007 i] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927105247/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/toplists/inout=i/age=n/season=2007/sex=W/all=n/legal=A/disc=HJ/detail.html |date=27 September 2009}}. IAAF (4 April 2008). Retrieved on 18 June 2009. she failed to repeat her previous season's indoor form and finished fifth at the 2007 European Athletics Indoor Championships (later upgraded to fourth after Venelina Veneva tested positive for banned substances).[http://www.european-athletics.org/files/eich/archive/birmingham/multiplewomen.pdf 29th European Athletics Indoor Championships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306035946/http://www.european-athletics.org/files/eich/archive/birmingham/multiplewomen.pdf |date=6 March 2009}}. European Athletics. Retrieved on 18 June 2009.

During the 2007 season, Vlašić won eighteen out of nineteen outdoor competitions, with her only loss coming early in the season at the first Golden League meeting in Oslo, defeated by Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko. Vlašić won the World Championships in Osaka thanks to a 2.05 m jump, winning Croatia's first gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.{{cite web |title=Osaka 2007 : High Jump - W Final |url=http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/results/gender=W/discipline=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/result.html |agency=IAAF |language=en |access-date=13 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020125041/http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/results/gender%3DW/discipline%3DHJ/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/result.html |archive-date=20 October 2012}} Antonietta Di Martino of Italy and Anna Chicherova of Russia both cleared 2.03 m to share the silver medal.{{cite web |title=Beating back the pressure, Vlasic comes of age |url=http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/news/kind=2/newsid=41507.html#beating+back+pressure+vlasic+comes |agency=IAAF |language=en |access-date=13 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516154345/http://osaka2007.iaaf.org/news/kind=2/newsid=41507.html#beating+back+pressure+vlasic+comes |archive-date=16 May 2009 |url-status=dead |date=2 September 2007}}

In early October, Vlašić was named female European Athlete of the Year by the European Athletic Association after the combined votes of a panel of experts, a group of journalists and the public. She is the first Croatian athlete and the first high jumper to win this award.

File:Blanka Vlasic Berlin 2009.JPG

In March 2008, Vlašić won her first world indoor title in Valencia, Spain (2.03 m) and posted 10 days earlier an indoor national record of 2.05 m.

Coming to the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, China, Vlašić jumped 12 times over 2.00 m outdoors, leading the world rankings{{Cite web |url=https://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/jumps/high-jump/outdoor/women/senior/2008 |title=IAAF: High Jump - women - senior - outdoor - 2008 {{!}} iaaf.org|website=iaaf.org|access-date=29 July 2017|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729133036/https://www.iaaf.org/records/toplists/jumps/high-jump/outdoor/women/senior/2008|url-status=live}} with 2.06 m. Still based on the world rankings, she leads by 3 centimeters.

At the Olympics, Vlašić cleared all of her heights on her first attempt, from 1.89 m to 2.03 m. At 2.03 m, Vlašić, Anna Chicherova, and Tia Hellebaut, who had failures at the previous attempts, including at 2.03 for Hellebaut, remained in competition. The bar went to 2.05 m and Vlašić failed her first attempt while Hellebaut broke the Belgian record. Vlašić cleared the bar on her second jump, but lost the gold to Hellebaut on countback after neither cleared 2.07m.{{cite web |title=Beljing 2008 High Jump - W FINAL |url=http://www.iaaf.org/oly08/results/eventcode=3659/racedate=08-23-2008/sex=W/discCode=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_HJ_hash_f |agency=iaaf.org |language=en |access-date=26 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804030902/http://www.iaaf.org/oly08/results/eventcode=3659/racedate=08-23-2008/sex=W/discCode=HJ/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_HJ_hash_f |archive-date=4 August 2009}}{{cite web |title=JO-Saut en hauteur: Tia Hellebaut médaillée d'or |url=http://www.dhnet.be/sports/jeux-olympiques/article/220112/jo-saut-en-hauteur-tia-hellebaut-medaillee-d-or.html |work=dhnet.be |access-date=12 May 2009 |date=23 August 2008 |archive-date=5 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205031515/http://www.dhnet.be/sports/jeux-olympiques/article/220112/jo-saut-en-hauteur-tia-hellebaut-medaillee-d-or.html |url-status=live}}

Vlašić's season ended when she was again beaten on countback in the final leg of the ÅF Golden League series, which ended her chances of winning the $1,000,000 jackpot. Having won the previous five Golden League events, she finished the Memorial Van Damme meeting in second place behind Ariane Friedrich.{{cite web |title=Tia Hellebaut fait vibrer le public, Vlasic rate le jackpot |url=http://www.rtlinfo.be/sport/archive/article/124712/?&archiveYear=2008 |agency=rtlinfo.be |access-date=13 May 2009 |language=fr |date=5 September 2008 |archive-date=4 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804151349/http://www.rtlinfo.be/sport/archive/article/124712/?&archiveYear=2008 |url-status=live}}

File:Blanka Vlasic 208cm Zagreb 2009.jpg

The 2009 Indoor season saw Vlašić posting a world indoor lead of 2.05 m in Karlsruhe, equalling her own national indoor record in the process. However she failed to earn a medal at the European Indoor Championships in Torino, finishing fifth.{{cite web |title=Torino 2009, European Athletics Indoor Championships, High Jump Women |url=http://www.sportresult.com/sports/la/framework/eaa2.asp?event_id=10000100000083&comp_id=28788&module=competition&show=RL&lang=en |agency=sportresult.com |language=en |access-date=10 May 2009 |archive-date=12 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412041446/http://www.sportresult.com/sports/la/framework/eaa2.asp?event_id=10000100000083&comp_id=28788&module=competition&show=RL&lang=en |url-status=live}} Germany's Ariane Friedrich won the gold medal.{{cite web |title=Friedrich Fireworks! 2.06m leap in Berlin - ÅF Golden League REPORT |url=http://www.iaaf.org/GLE09/news/newsid=51115.html |website=www.iaaf.org |language=en |date=14 June 2009 |access-date=15 September 2009 |archive-date=16 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616065228/http://www.iaaf.org/GLE09/news/newsid%3D51115.html |url-status=live}}

At the World Championships, Vlašić competed against Ariane Friedrich. During the final, the duo was joined by reigning world silver and Olympic bronze medalist Anna Chicherova, who took the lead with a 2.02 m first-time clearance. Vlašić cleared on her second attempt, while Friedrich cleared on her third attempt. At 2.04 m, the Croatian is the first one to go over. Chicherova fails and Friedrich attempts 2.06 m, which she almost clears.{{Citation |last=IAAF Athletics |title=Uncut - High Jump Women Final Berlin 2009 |date=30 October 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDXVk8hsyZM |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901133417/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDXVk8hsyZM&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=La Revanche de Vlasic |url=http://www.sports.fr/cmc/athletisme/200932/la-revanche-de-vlasic_239128.html |website=www.sports.fr |date=8 August 2009 |access-date=15 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918132235/http://www.sports.fr/cmc/athletisme/200932/la-revanche-de-vlasic_239128.html |archive-date=18 September 2009 |url-status=dead}} Vlašić then raised the bar to 2.10 m, a would-be world record, but failed all three attempts.

On 31 August, at Hanžeković Memorial in Zagreb, Vlašić cleared 2.08 m. She set a new personal best, Croatian record and became the second best high-jumper of all time behind the world record of Stefka Kostadinova (2.09 m in 1987). She raised the bar to 2.10 m, but failed once again.{{cite web |url=http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=54165.html |title=Vlasic tops 2.08m in Zagreb – IAAF World Athletics Tour |publisher=iaaf.org |date=31 August 2009 |access-date=23 October 2012 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022230512/http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=54165.html |url-status=live}}

File:Blanka Vlašić Barcelona 2010.jpg]]

On 6 February 2010, Vlašić cleared 2.06 m in Arnstadt, Germany. The victory at the Hochsprung mit Musik added one centimetre to her own personal best and Croatian record and brought her to third on the all-time indoor listsRamsak, Bob (6 February 2010). [http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=100/newsid=55488.html Vlasic improves to 2.06m in Arnstadt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216113138/http://www.iaaf.org/WIC10/news/kind=100/newsid=55488.html |date=16 February 2010}}. IAAF. Retrieved on 8 February 2010. behind Sweden's Kajsa Bergqvist (2.08 m in 2006) and Germany's Heike Henkel (2,07 m in 1992). A month later, she retained her world indoor title in Doha with 2.00 m, winning ahead of Spain's Ruth Beitia and USA's Chaunté Lowe, both jumping 1.98 m. Through the outdoor season, she wins the first edition of the IAAF Diamond League by winning the seven meetings in the event. She and her main rival of the season Chaunté Lowe both led the circuit. Vlašić cleared 2.00 m on six out of seven occasions in the circuit.

On 1 August 2010 Vlašić won her first European title with 2.03 m, equalling the championship record set by Belgian's Tia Hellebaut and Bulgaria's Venelina Veneva-Mateeva four years earlier at the 2006 edition in Gothenburg. She beat Sweden's Emma Green (silver) and Germany's Ariane Friedrich (bronze), both jumping 2.01 m.{{cite web |title=Vlašic wins historic gold for Croatia |url=http://www.european-athletics.org/20th-european-athletics-championships-2010/vlaic-wins-historic-gold-for-croatia.html |author=european-athletics.org |date=1 August 2010 |access-date=16 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208111548/http://www.european-athletics.org/20th-european-athletics-championships-2010/vlaic-wins-historic-gold-for-croatia.html |archive-date=8 December 2010}}

Vlašić was selected along with Emma Green to represent Europe at the Continental Cup on her home soil of Split. She won the event with 2.05 m and equalled Chaunté Lowe's world leading jump.{{cite web |title=In weekend's most dramatic moment, Vlasic scales 2.05m at home in Split - IAAF / VTB Bank Continental Cup |url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/in-weekends-most-dramatic-moment-vlasic-scale |author=IAAF |date=5 September 2010 |access-date=16 January 2011 |archive-date=24 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724105116/http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/in-weekends-most-dramatic-moment-vlasic-scale |url-status=live}} She raised the bar at 2.10 m, what would be a world record, but failed to break it.

At the end of the year, Vlašić was crowned European Athlete and IAAF World Athlete of the year, succeeding to Marta Domínguez (Europe) and Sanya Richards-Ross (World).{{cite web |title=Rudisha and Vlasic are World Athletes of the Year – 2010 World Athletics Gala |url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/news/rudisha-and-vlasic-are-world-athletes-of-the |author=IAAF |date=21 November 2010 |access-date=16 January 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102153334/http://www.iaaf.org/news/news/rudisha-and-vlasic-are-world-athletes-of-the |url-status=live}}

File:Blanka Vlašić Daegu 2011.jpg

Coming up to the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Vlašić wasn't the favourite at all. With 2.00 m, she wasn't leading the world rankings and Russian long time rival Anna Chicherova had all the expectations for the win, thanks to a Russian record of 2.07 m. Italy's Antonietta Di Martino is also in a good shape coming to the Worlds, having (as Vlašić) jumped 2.00 m outdoors but did better indoors with an Italian record of 2.04 m. Moreover, Vlašić was not guaranteed to show up at the championships due to a left leg injury. However, during the championships, she showed great form and managed to clear 2.03 m and earn silver medal,{{cite interview |url=http://www.european-athletics.org/news/latest-news/496-general/10422-blanka-vlai-planning-to-bounce-back-after-frustrating-2011.html |title=Blanka Vlašić planning to bounce back after frustrating 2011 |access-date=14 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124225537/http://www.european-athletics.org/news/latest-news/496-general/10422-blanka-vlai-planning-to-bounce-back-after-frustrating-2011.html |archive-date=24 January 2012 |first=Blanka |last=Vlašić |interviewer=Jutarnji list |date=1 October 2011}} coming close to clearing 2.05 and creating history to become the first high jumper to win 3 consecutive world titles. But Anna Chicherova beat the Croatian on countbacks, while Antonietta Di Martino has to settle for the bronze with 2.00 m.

Vlašić decided to have an operation on her left Achilles tendon in January 2012. Although the operation in itself seemed to have gone well, an infection developed and she had to have another operation in April. A slow healing process delayed her preparations for the London Olympics and she had to withdraw.{{cite web |url=http://www.blanka-vlasic.hr/n-en.php?id=652 |title=Another operation interrupted Blanka's Olympic prep |access-date=23 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204082624/http://www.blanka-vlasic.hr/n-en.php?id=652 |archive-date=4 December 2012}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18842591 |title=Blanka Vlasic pulls out of London Games |access-date=14 July 2012 |date=14 July 2012 |archive-date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715145823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18842591 |url-status=live}} Vlašić did not compete in any other event of the season, therefore missing the whole indoor and outdoor season of 2012.

20 months after her last competition, Vlašić made her comeback on May 25 in New York, taking the win with the World Championships standard of 1.94 m. Then, she jumped 1.95 m in Rome before clearing 2 meters at the end of June in Buhl while working on gaining stability in her ankle as she approached the 2013 Moscow World Championships. Unfortunately she had to withdraw due to fear that she had not yet fully recovered.https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1405623292982594&set=vb.108930319155814&type=2&permPage=1IAAF {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509053832/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Fv%3D1405623292982594%26set%3Dvb.108930319155814%26type%3D2%26permPage%3D1IAAF |date=9 May 2021}} Inside Athletics Episode 26 - Exclusive Interview with Blanka Vlasic {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}{{unreliable source?|date=August 2017}}File:Track & Field - Adidas Grand Prix - Icahn Stadium - Blanka Vlasic (20748739195).jpg in 2015|left]]

In March 2014, Vlašić made her comeback at an international championship since the 2011 World Championships at the World Indoor Championships. She placed 6th with 1.94 m.{{cite web |url=http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/hrvatice-pokorile-prag-blanka-preskocila-dva-metra-simic-uzela-srebro/730724.aspx |title=Hrvatice pokorile Prag: Blanka preskočila dva metra, Šimić uzela srebro |access-date=13 June 2016 |date=25 February 2014 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809003602/http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/hrvatice-pokorile-prag-blanka-preskocila-dva-metra-simic-uzela-srebro/730724.aspx |url-status=live}} Due to a jumper's knee injury in her left knee,{{cite news |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http://www.svd.se/sport/3821282.svd&edit-text= |title=Google Translate |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=13 June 2016 |archive-date=23 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623101022/https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.svd.se%2Fsport%2F3821282.svd&edit-text= |url-status=live}} she had to withdraw from the European championships in Zürich{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/378491412525/photos/a.10150251232252526.376900.378491412525/10152688058737526/?type=1 |title=Dragi moji, ništa od Europskog... - Blanka Vlasic Official Page |work=Facebook |access-date=13 June 2016 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509053832/https://www.facebook.com/378491412525/photos/a.10150251232252526.376900.378491412525/10152688058737526/?type=1 |url-status=live}} where she was one of the favorites alongside Russia's Mariya Kuchina, due to her two recent wins in Paris and London with 2.00 m.{{cite web |title=Vlasic l'emporte à 2,00m |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-l-emporte-a-2-00m/480380 |website=L'Equipe.fr |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=6 July 2014 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062131/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-l-emporte-a-2-00m/480380 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Vlasic s'impose à 1,96m |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-s-impose-a-1-96m/482063 |website=L'Equipe.fr |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305214402/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-s-impose-a-1-96m/482063 |url-status=live}}

However, she came back on the scene a week after the Europeans at the Weltklasse Zürich and placed fourth with 1.93 m.{{cite web |title=Blanka Vlasic de retour |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-de-retour/493236 |website=L'Equipe.fr |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310222235/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Vlasic-de-retour/493236 |url-status=live}} She ended her season on a good note, jumping that height again in Zagreb.

In 2015, Vlašić opened her outdoor season at the Golden Gala in Rome and placed 2nd to Spain's Ruth Beitia (2.00 m, world lead) with 1.97 m. Then she equaled that height in New York City, again beaten by the Spaniard on countbacks. However, due to her chronic foot pain, she cancelled her appearances in both Lausanne{{cite web |title=Blanka Vlasic renonce à l'étape Ligue de Diamant à Lausanne |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-renonce-a-la-hauteur/572495 |website=L'Equipe.fr |language=fr-FR |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=8 July 2015 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313145447/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-renonce-a-la-hauteur/572495 |url-status=live}} and Monaco in order to get ready for the Beijing World Championships.

The World Champs were the Croatian's first major championship outdoors since Daegu 2011. On 27 August, she made it to the finals and there, two days later, earned the silver medal behind Russia's Mariya Lasitskene (former Kuchina) who beat her on countbacks (Vlašić had one miss at 1.92 m).{{cite web |title=Championnats du monde : Maria Kuchina titrée à la hauteur |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Championnats-du-monde-maria-kuchina-titree-a-la-hauteur/585920 |website=L'Equipe.fr |language=fr-FR |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=29 August 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043656/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Championnats-du-monde-maria-kuchina-titree-a-la-hauteur/585920 |url-status=live}} To her, the silver medal felt like gold after all she had to go through in the previous years, and more specifically recalling she could not walk for days in early July.{{cite web |title=IAAF: Beijing 2015 Blanka Vlasic high jump |url=http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/15th-iaaf-world-championships-4875/news/feature/women/high-jump |website=iaaf.org |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=23 September 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404194239/http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/15th-iaaf-world-championships-4875/news/feature/women/high-jump |url-status=live}}

File:BlankaVlasic 206 06Feb2010.JPG, 2010 (2.06, NIR)]]

Still due to her Achilles problem, Vlašić only made one appearance in the 2016 season in Split on January 29 where she took the win with 1.95 m, jumping over the qualifying standard (1.93 m) for the 2016 Summer Olympics.{{cite web |title=Blanka Vlasic de retour en salle avec 1,95m |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-de-retour-en-salle-avec-1-95m/629599 |website=L'Equipe.fr |language=fr-FR |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=30 January 2016 |archive-date=19 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319113019/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-de-retour-en-salle-avec-1-95m/629599 |url-status=live}} On 3 February, she had surgery in Turku, Finland.{{cite web |title=Blanka Had Achilles Tendon Surgery |url=http://www.blanka-vlasic.hr/en/blanka-had-achilles-tendon-surgery/ |website=Blanka Vlasic official page |language=en-US |date=26 February 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216220458/http://www.blanka-vlasic.hr/en/blanka-had-achilles-tendon-surgery/ |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Blanka Vlasic opérée du tendon d'Achille |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-operee-du-tendon-d-achille/634270 |website=L'Equipe.fr |language=fr-FR |access-date=23 June 2016 |date=14 February 2016 |archive-date=19 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219071823/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Blanka-vlasic-operee-du-tendon-d-achille/634270 |url-status=live}} Despite having not competed during the outdoor season (she cancelled her participation at the European Championships and in the London Diamond League), she was selected by the Croatian Federation alongside Ana Šimić to represent Croatia in the high jump at the Olympics.{{Cite news |url=https://www.oasport.it/2016/07/olimpiadi-rio-2016-tutta-la-squadra-della-croazia-convocati-partecipanti-e-qualificati/ |title=Olimpiadi Rio 2016 – Tutta la squadra della Croazia: convocati, partecipanti e qualificati |work=OA Sport |access-date=29 July 2017 |language=it-IT |date=19 July 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729175523/https://www.oasport.it/2016/07/olimpiadi-rio-2016-tutta-la-squadra-della-croazia-convocati-partecipanti-e-qualificati/ |url-status=live}}

On 18 August, Vlašić competed in the Women's high jump qualification and reached the finals, placing 1st with the qualifying height for the final, 1.94 m.{{Cite news |url=https://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/olimpijske-igre-2016/blanka-vlasic-plasirala-se-u-olimpijsko-finale---447079.html |title=Blanka Vlašić plasirala se u olimpijsko finale, Ana Šimić nije uspjela |work=Gol.hr |access-date=29 July 2017 |language=hr |date=18 August 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729191255/https://gol.dnevnik.hr/clanak/olimpijske-igre-2016/blanka-vlasic-plasirala-se-u-olimpijsko-finale---447079.html |url-status=live}} Two days later, she competed in a final of 17 competitors. She cleared 1.88 m and 1.93 m on her second attempt, before clearing 1.97 m. She, Ruth Beitia, Mirela Demireva and Chaunté Lowe were the only athletes to clear the bar. Placing third behind Beitia and Demireva but ahead of Lowe, Vlašić attempted 2.00 m but failed to clear within three attempts. As no one else cleared, she earned the bronze medal behind Beitia and Demireva.{{cite web |title=Beitia reine de la hauteur |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Jeux-olympiques-ruth-beitia-reine-de-la-hauteur/719502 |website=lequipe.fr |access-date=21 August 2016 |date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822194329/http://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Jeux-olympiques-ruth-beitia-reine-de-la-hauteur/719502 |url-status=live|lang=fr}} This was the first time since the 1980 Summer Olympics that the winning height was below 2.00 meters.{{Cite news |url=http://sport.hrt.hr/348727/blanka-vlasic-bborila-sam-se-kao-ranjena-srna-u-sumi |title=Blanka Vlašić: Borila sam se kao ranjena srna u šumi |work=Hrvatska radiotelevizija |access-date=29 July 2017 |date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729193429/http://sport.hrt.hr/348727/blanka-vlasic-bborila-sam-se-kao-ranjena-srna-u-sumi|lang=hr |url-status=live}} Vlašić became the seventh female athlete in the history of the discipline (since 1928) to win two Olympic medals.{{Cite news |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/oi2016rion/blanka-vlasic-pod-blokadom-u-borbi-za-medalju-u-skoku-u-vis-1107741 |title=Jača od bolova: Blanka Vlašić osvojila brončanu medalju na Olimpijskim igrama! |access-date=29 July 2017 |language=hr |date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729214644/https://www.vecernji.hr/oi2016rion/blanka-vlasic-pod-blokadom-u-borbi-za-medalju-u-skoku-u-vis-1107741 |url-status=live}} Vlasić donated her medal to the Croatian shrine of St. Mary of Marija Bistrica.{{cite web|last=Trbušić|first=Davor|title=Croatian athlete wins Olympic bronze, but takes spiritual gold|url=https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/09/croatian-athlete-wins-olympic-bronze-takes-spiritual-gold|publisher=Crux|date=15 September 2016|access-date=3 January 2024}}

On 19 July 2017, Vlašić announced her withdrawal from the World Championships in London due to foot pain.{{Cite news |url=https://narod.hr/sport/hrvatska-sportska-heroina-blanka-vlasic-moja-ozljeda-nista-odnosu-ove-pozare-hvala-svima-nas-branili |title=Hrvatska sportska heroina Blanka Vlašić: 'Moja ozljeda je ništa u odnosu na ove požare, hvala svima koji su nas branili |date=19 July 2017 |work=narod.hr |access-date=29 July 2017 |language=hr-HR |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729172322/https://narod.hr/sport/hrvatska-sportska-heroina-blanka-vlasic-moja-ozljeda-nista-odnosu-ove-pozare-hvala-svima-nas-branili |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://sportarena.hr/ostalo/atletika/vlasic-odustala-od-sp-a-u-londonu-nisam-htjela-riskirati/ |title=Vlašić odustala od SP-a u Londonu: Nisam htjela riskirati... |last=Tunuković |first=Marko |date=19 July 2017 |work=SPORTARENA.hr |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729184308/https://sportarena.hr/ostalo/atletika/vlasic-odustala-od-sp-a-u-londonu-nisam-htjela-riskirati/ |archive-date=29 July 2017 |url-status=dead}} She said that she had no plans to retire yet as she planned to come back for the 2018 season on the road to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.{{cite web |title=Blanka Vlašić: Borila sam se kao ranjena srna u šumi |url=http://sport.hrt.hr/348727/blanka-vlasic-bborila-sam-se-kao-ranjena-srna-u-sumi |access-date=21 August 2016 |date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823015125/http://sport.hrt.hr/348727/blanka-vlasic-bborila-sam-se-kao-ranjena-srna-u-sumi |url-status=live}}

On 19 February 2021, she announced her retirement.{{cite news |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatian-athletics-legend-blanka-vlasic-announces-retirement/ |title=Croatian athletics legend Blanka Vlašić announces retirement |publisher=Croatia Week |language=English |date=19 February 2021 |access-date=19 February 2021 |archive-date=19 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219071239/https://www.croatiaweek.com/croatian-athletics-legend-blanka-vlasic-announces-retirement/ |url-status=live}}

Vlašić was named after Casablanca, a city where her father competed and won a gold medal at the 1983 Mediterranean Games around the time of her birth.{{cite web |url=http://www.diamondleague.com/en/Diamond-Race/Ambassador-Overview/Blanka-VLASIC/ |title=Our Ambassadors: Blanka Vlašić |publisher=Diamond League AG |work=diamondleague.com |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424202442/http://www.diamondleague.com/en/Diamond-Race/Ambassador-Overview/Blanka-VLASIC/ |archive-date=24 April 2014}}

From the beginning of her career she has been coached by her father, Joško Vlašić and a former high jumper Bojan Marinović.

Her brother is Croatian football player Nikola Vlašić.{{cite web|url=https://www.vecernji.hr/showbiz/blanka-vlasic-javila-se-nakon-osvajanja-bronce-u-kataru-bratu-nikoli-porucila-je-samo-jednu-stvar-1642821|title=Blanka Vlašić javila se nakon osvajanja bronce u Kataru, bratu Nikoli poručila je samo jednu stvar|lang=hr|website=vecerni.hr|publisher=Večernji list|date=18 December 2022|access-date=22 August 2023}}

Blanka is today a member of the 'Champions for Peace' club, a group of 54 famous elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport, a Monaco-based international organisation.{{cite web |url=http://www.peace-sport.org/ |title=Peace and Sport |publisher=Peace-sport.org |access-date=23 October 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029105901/http://www.peace-sport.org/ |url-status=live}} Vlašić supported the Croatian constitutional referendum in 2013 stating that marriage is matrimony between a woman and a man.{{cite web |url=http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/sportasi-u-akciji-protiv-gay-brakova-nakon-stimca-blanka-i-josko-vlasic-podrzali-referendum-za-brak/678436.aspx |title=Sportaši u akciji protiv gay brakova: Nakon Štimca, Blanka i Joško Vlašić podržali referendum za brak |publisher=Index.hr |access-date=18 May 2013 |date=18 May 2013 |archive-date=8 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608032759/http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/sportasi-u-akciji-protiv-gay-brakova-nakon-stimca-blanka-i-josko-vlasic-podrzali-referendum-za-brak/678436.aspx |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.vecernji.hr/hrvatska/blanka-i-josko-vlasic-za-brak-muskarca-i-zene-555757 |title=Blanka i Joško Vlašić za 'brak muškarca i žene' |publisher=Večernji list |access-date=18 May 2013 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414182203/http://www.vecernji.hr/hrvatska/blanka-i-josko-vlasic-za-brak-muskarca-i-zene-555757 |url-status=live}} She is a devout Roman Catholic.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnevno.hr/magazin/zanimljivosti/blanka-vlasic-o-vjeri-zivim-sakramentalni-zivot-redovito-idem-na-svetu-misu-stavljam-gospodina-u-srediste-svoje-obitelji-801983 |title=BLANKA VLAŠIĆ: 'Živim sakramentalni život i redovito idem na Svetu Misu. Stavljam Gospodina u središte svoje obitelji' (VIDEO) |publisher=Dnevno.hr |access-date=19 May 2015 |date=19 May 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404191949/http://www.dnevno.hr/magazin/zanimljivosti/blanka-vlasic-o-vjeri-zivim-sakramentalni-zivot-redovito-idem-na-svetu-misu-stavljam-gospodina-u-srediste-svoje-obitelji-801983 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bitno.net/vjera/blanka-vlasic-o-svom-obracenju-kad-mi-je-brat-pricao-o-bogu-plakala-sam-tri-dana/ |title=Blanka Vlašić o svom obraćenju: 'Kad mi je brat pričao o Bogu, plakala sam tri dana' |publisher=Bitno.net |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=21 March 2016 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402104855/http://www.bitno.net/vjera/blanka-vlasic-o-svom-obracenju-kad-mi-je-brat-pricao-o-bogu-plakala-sam-tri-dana/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/-sramim-se-sto-sam-bogu-stalno-okretala-leda---blanka-vlasic-otvoreno-progovorila-o-svom-preobracenju-/1122997/ |title=BLANKA VLAŠIĆ INTIMNO O PREOBRAĆENJU 'Sramim se što sam Bogu stalno okretala leđa' |publisher=Jutarnji list |access-date=29 August 2013 |date=29 August 2013 |archive-date=1 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901034813/http://www.jutarnji.hr/-sramim-se-sto-sam-bogu-stalno-okretala-leda---blanka-vlasic-otvoreno-progovorila-o-svom-preobracenju-/1122997/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.24sata.hr/sport/heroina-sportske-obitelji-koja-je-veliku-snagu-pronasla-u-vjeri-487920 |title=Heroina sportske obitelji koja je veliku snagu pronašla u vjeri |publisher=24 sata |access-date=21 August 2016 |date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823142013/http://www.24sata.hr/sport/heroina-sportske-obitelji-koja-je-veliku-snagu-pronasla-u-vjeri-487920 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAVNKUtYLTQ |title=December 28, 2019 Reversion Testimony of Olympic {{Sic|Ath|elete|hide=y}} Blanka Vlasic |website=YouTube |date=28 December 2019 |access-date=2020-01-24 |archive-date=2020-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216105327/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAVNKUtYLTQ |url-status=live}}

On 26 May 2022 Vlašić announced on instagram that she had married Belgian sports journalist Ruben Van Gucht and that she was pregnant with the couple's child.[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/05/26/ruben-van-gucht-getrouwd-met-hoogspringster-blanka-vlasic-koppe/ Ruben Van Gucht getrouwd met hoogspringster Blanka Vlasic, koppel verwacht zoontje]

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Blanka Vlašić}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611224908/http://www.blanka-vlasic.hr/index-en.php |title=Blanka Vlašić's official web page}}
• {{World Athletics|14263716}}
• {{European Athletics|14263716|old_id=v/athlete=133692-vlasic-blanka}}
• {{Olympedia}}
• {{Olympics.com|org_archive=20201027055414}}
• {{HOO profile|4140|hr_archive=20221226140139|en_archive=20211024131102}}
• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714175204/http://www.spikesmag.com/athletes/Heroes/blankavlasic.aspx |title=SPIKES Hero profile at spikesmag.com |date=dmy}}
• {{cite magazine |url=http://arhiva.nacional.hr/clanak/36931/blanka-vlasic-snaga-i-disciplina-najbolje-skakacice-svijeta |title=Blanka Vlašić – snaga i disciplina najbolje skakačice svijeta |trans-title=Blanka Vlašić - strength and discipline of the best jumper in the world |language=hr |magazine=Nacional |issue=613 |author=Jelena Badovinac |date=13 August 2007 |access-date=7 December 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613170243/http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/36931/blanka-vlasic-snaga-i-disciplina-najbolje-skakacice-svijeta |archive-date=13 June 2011}}

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{{succession box|title=Women's European Athlete of the Year|before=Carolina Klüft
Marta Domínguez|after=Yelena Isinbayeva
Mariya Savinova|years=2007
2010}}

{{succession box|title=IAAF World Athlete of the Year|before=Sanya Richards|after=Sally Pearson|years=2010}}

{{succession box|title=Women's Track & Field Athlete of the Year|before=Sanya Richards|after= Vivian Cheruiyot|years=2010}}

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{{succession box|before=Kajsa Bergqvist|title=Women's High Jump Best Year Performance|years=2007–2010|after=Anna Chicherova}}

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{{Footer World Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer World Indoor Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer European Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer U23 European Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer Mediterranean Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer IAAF World Cup Champions High Jump Women}}

{{Footer IAAF Diamond League High Jump Champions Women}}

{{IAAF World Athlete of the Year (women)}}

{{European Athlete of the Year (women)}}

{{Croatian Athlete of the Year (women)}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vlasic, Blanka}}

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Split, Croatia

Category:Croatian female high jumpers

Category:Olympic female high jumpers

Category:Olympic athletes for Croatia

Category:Olympic silver medalists for Croatia

Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Croatia

Category:Olympic silver medalists in athletics (track and field)

Category:Olympic bronze medalists in athletics (track and field)

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Croatia

Category:World Athletics Championships medalists

Category:European Athletics Championships medalists

Category:Mediterranean Games gold medalists for Croatia

Category:Mediterranean Games medalists in athletics

Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2001 Mediterranean Games

Category:European Athlete of the Year winners

Category:Track & Field News Athlete of the Year winners

Category:Franjo Bučar Award winners

Category:21st-century Croatian sportswomen

Category:Diamond League winners

Category:World Athletics Indoor Championships winners

Category:IAAF Continental Cup winners

Category:World Athletics Championships winners

Category:IAAF World Athletics Final winners

Category:Croatian Roman Catholics