Tia Hellebaut sits the Pop Quiz

The women’s Olympic high jump gold medallist Tia Hellebaut is the latest big name athlete to take the spikesmag.com pop quiz. Her recent decision to retire from the sport didn't stop her answering our silly questions. Read on to see what the Rolling Stones, Jamie Lee Curtis and the colour red have to do with the Belgian...

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?
TH: I had a sandwich and some yoghurt with muesli.

If someone played you in a film, who would it be and why?
TH: That’s a very difficult question. I like Jamie Lee Curtis, I like her attitude and her performances. She has an aura about her.

What is the strangest thing a fan has ever said to you?
TH: A boy, who was maybe five or six years old, came up to me and said ‘can I have an autograph, please?' I saw he had a brother so I said, ‘yes, do you want me to sign for your brother, too’ But he said, ‘no it’s not necessary, it’s for my father.’

What is the one thing you should always take with you around the athletics circuit?
TH: When I go to the track, I always need my iPod.

If you weren’t an athlete what would you be doing now?
TH: I think something with kids, maybe a teacher. I was thinking about education when I was younger.

What is your karaoke tune?
TH: Oh man, that’s a difficult one. I like Start Me Up by The Rolling Stones. I always play that before a competition in Belgium, although if I sing it I don’t think there would be anyone left in the crowd to watch me!

What has been the greatest moment of you life?
TH: I have different greatest moments. The birth of my little sister [Evi] when I was 14 years old and also winning the Olympics was another special moment. To stand on the podium and hear your national anthem... in Belgium, it is not a moment you hear too often.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
TH: Maybe, everybody smiling! That would be nice.

Which nation has the coolest athletics kit?
TH: I like the Russian Olympic tracksuit, although it is not the athletics kit. Actually, I like the Belgian tracksuit because I really like red. I always say red is the colour of winners.

What was your favourite toy when growing up?
TH: My favourite toy was actually my bamboo poles because I had a high jump set up in my back garden.

Who is the most famous person on your mobile?
TH: It’s in sport and it has got to be Kim Clijsters [former world No.1 tennis player] and also Kim Gevaert [the European 100m champion].

What colour is Wednesday?
TH: Yellow. I don’t know, yellow, because it is a strange question... I don’t know why?

If you could play another sport what would it be and why?
TH: I would play basketball or volleyball or tennis. That is a difficult one… let’s say basketball. Sometimes it is nice to be part of a team. I like all sports in general.

If your house was on fire what is the one thing you would save?
TH: It depends on whether there were people in the house! If there weren't any people in the house I would take something very practical, because if it was very cold I would take some clothes.

Could you describe your perfect day?
TH: It is quite easy. It is just: do what you want to do.