Athlete Quotes - Day 2

Wednesday, July 17, 2002

Lauryn Williams, Gold medal in womens 100m (11.33) Personal Best

Im so excited about this race. This is a great win for America. We wanted to go 1 and 2, but 1 and 3 is good enough for us. Im estatic I finished out my freshman year (at the University of Miami) and then win a World Junior gold. Im very excited.

Marshevet Hooker, Bronze medal in womens 100m (11.48)

The race felt really great. My start is what Ive worked on. Ive got two more years to come back, so I feel that was a pretty good start for me. Im just happy to be here.

Willie Hordge, Bronze medal in Mens 100m final (10.36)

This race is going to make me get better and better. Thats what I want.

Rashaad Allen, 5th place in Mens 100m final (10.39)

Im pretty happy. It was a great group of guys. I consistently ran 10.3, which is something I havent done before. I feel good. I still have the relays coming up and I think something special will happen there.

Sanya Richards, Winner of semi final heat 1, Womens 400m (52.72)

For this race, I wanted to get out hard for the first 200 and then see where I was in the race. I wanted to save myself for tomorrow (finals) where I can just take it out hard.

Monique Henderson, Winner of semi final heat 2, Womens 400m (52.31)

I felt really good today. I wasnt trying to push it or run too hard, but the girl from Jamaica was right on me, so I had to run a little faster than I wanted.

Lashinda Demus, Winner in semi final heat 1, Womens 400m (57.36)

"I messed up on my steps and that's a big deal for me. But as long as I got through the race, that's cool with me. I will run faster tomorrow."

Tiffany Ross, Winner in semi final heat 2, Womens 400m (59.52)

"My leg (strained hamstring) was kind of hurting, but I came out here and sucked it up. I will be ready for the finals. My leg is a bit tight right now but I was just getting through it. I will be ready for the finals."

Bershawn Jackson, Winner in semi final heat 1, Mens 400m (50.78)

"I came out good, but I ended up having a bad race. I had a pretty good start but they ended up catching up with me because I had some bad luck. I was off step. I felt pretty good and I need to make sure I improve in the second half of the race. I have to pick it up in the finals."

Kenneth Ferguson, Winner in semi final heat 2, Mens 400m (50.92)

"I wanted to run the first 200 hard. We both had trouble today - Bershawn and I, but we will do much better in the finals. I wanted to get out fast."

Jon Fortenberry, Winner of semi final heat 2, Mens 400m (46.16)

"I feel good. I knew I had to get out. I knew the boy from Barbados (Wilan Louis) was going to get out so I knew I had to start well. I just needed a couple of races to warm up. We are here running for the USA so I knew that I had to make the finals. I got out good and then my breath went a bit. My mouth was dry and I had to lick my lips a bit, but I came back at the end. I won my heat. I knew that I had a better kick than the other guy.

"In the finals I hope to put it all together. I am going to run for a medal tomorrow.

Richard Allen, 6th in semi final heat 1, Mens 800m (1:50.29)

I was little nervous. This is my first time (competing internationally). I felt smooth and I just tried to hang on at the end.

Frank Francois, 8th in semi final heat 2, Mens 800m (1:53.67)

Its been a great experience so far. I didnt run quite as well as I wanted to today, but my goal was to make it on to the next round and thats what I did yesterday. I had my moment on the world stage and I hope it wont be my last.

Donovan Kilmartin, 12th place in Mens decathlon (6,930)

The first day went great. I came out and was doing everything I could hope for. The second day I came out and I ran the hurdles (15.05). I went to the discus, it was a disappointment I had three fouls. Then I had to overcome that afterwards. I realize the sun will come up tomorrow and everything went alright. Ive learned from it and it was a good experience for me right now.