Athlete Quotes - Day 2

MEN'S 100m QUALIFYING

JON DRUMMOND, Nike

"The gun went off and went straight to the back. That's what happened.

SHAWN CRAWFORD, Nike

"That's just the first round. We have three more rounds to go."

MAURICE GREENE, adidas

"It was easy."

BRIAN LEWIS, unattached

"I'm going to give that one to my son, little Brian. Everything else is going to take care of itself in the next rounds all the way to the finals.

On how the press covers drug issues: "It is what it is, but I don't think that right now is the time to talk about it with everybody focusing on making it to the finals and onto the Olympic Team."

KOREY COOK, unattached

"This is only my second season running. I ran track my senior year in high school and now I'm here. I'm real impressed that there are some real good competitors out here, but basically I just want to do what I do in practice. I felt real good."

JEROME AVERY, unattached

"It's still not over so, hopefully, I can make it up today. It would help if I was a bit warmer. I'll have more of an advantage because I'll already be warm. I had a little technical problem coming out, but I stayed with it. I wanted to run 10.20 and I ran 10.26, so I'll take that."

MEN'S 100m QUARTERFINAL

MAURICE GREENE, adidas

"It was easy. I wanted to run easy today. I need to get my start together. If I hit the gun, I'll be O.K. If you run the race correctly, anything is possible, and everybody has a chance. (John) Capel hit the gun and kept going from the start. I'm looking forward to the final tomorrow and I am going to repeat the gold. I'm very confident."

BERNARD WILLIAMS, Nike

"I felt O.K. It was alright. The most important thing is tomorrow, so I don't really get caught up in the rounds. I'm not thinking about all that. I'm trying to go one round at a time. I am more 'action' (as opposed to talk) this year."

JUSTIN GATLIN, Nike

"Capel is always a good finisher, and today he had a really good start, too. I wasn't worried and just used my comeback speed. I didn't want to show everything today. I wanted to save some for tomorrow. I'm confident with my training. Today's slow start is probably a blessing in disguise.

"Tomorrow I'll worry about my lane only. I'll be ready to come out and run my race. I'm part of the new era."

WOMEN'S 100m SEMIFINALS

MUNA LEE, Nike

"I'm really happy I was able to make into the finals. I just wanted to get through - the time is fine.

"I'm not sure what I'll do to get ready for tomorrow. I haven't thought about it."

LAKEISHA BACKUS, U.S. Army

"I didn't make it today - I'm going to start focusing on the 200. One day you have it, one day you don't. Look, Inger (Miller) didn't make it; Chryste (Gaines) didn't make it. You just have to move on.

"I'm fortunate to be here. They're at war and that's real life. This is real life too, but we have the privilege to be here and represent my country, the Army, and just as a regular citizen. There are soldiers over there who are dying and it makes me feel privileged to be here and I want to represent them very well because they don't have the opportunity I have (being in the Army)."

WOMEN'S 100m FINAL

MUNA LEE, Nike

"I feel real good about it. I know that I am a good roll-out runner so I think I could make the relay."

On finishing first in the final: "That was my best race of all of them. It was a decent start, but I'm working on it."

Were you surprised to finish first? "I didn't know what to expect. I really didn't."

LaTASHA COLANDER, Nike

Regarding the United States' depth: "The United States has always had depth. We're the ones to beat. Making the Olympic Team is an awesome accomplishment.

What was going through your mind when you crossed the finish line? "Athens, Athens. Here I come, Athens.

"As long as I am doing my best I have the same positive mind-set. I started out doing hurdles and I switched to the 400 to get stronger. Then I wanted to see what I could do in the 100.

Was she surprised that she beat Marion Jones (who finished fifth)? "When it is your opportunity, you have to give it everything you've got. I'm always focusing on myself and I'm not surprised."

TORRI EDWARDS, adidas

"LaTasha ran the best race of the day. I know that I went out there and just focused on myself and not on any specific competitor."

LAURYN WILLIAMS, U. Miami

"I'm making the Olympic Team. I'm very excited. I had no pressure. And to go to the Olympic Games to represent my country is a great opportunity. Someone who I've looked up to is Gail Devers and to beat her by one-one hundredth of a second is a great opportunity.

GAIL DEVERS, Nike

Now that the 100 is over, does it change your focus for the hurdles? "They are two separate events and two separate times. As I look at them both, I go into the hurdles seeing I need to get a berth on the Olympic Team and the hurdles is my only chance at that. I don't look at the relay; I don't look at anything else. Everything else is separate. This is my only chance now; to get out there and run these hurdles."

MEN'S 800m SEMIFINALS

KHADEVIS ROBINSON, Nike

"I felt fine. I had a fast opening lap. It felt really good.

"I ran with a different tactic today. Everyone was fighting to get out fast. My main focus is planning my race and racing my planand to make the team. I'm very confident if I make the team, great things are going to come."

JESSE O'CONNELL, unattached

"I did what I needed to do. I let myself get too far back yesterday so today I stayed fourth or fifth and I know I can close with the best of them."

DERRICK PETERSON, adidas

"The semifinal is probably the toughest race of all three. Finishing in the top four is basically the prime order for the day. My goal was to do that today

On this year's field compared to last year's field: "Last year, experienced, young people, we kind of had everyone across the board. This year, there are a lot of newcomers. Everyone here in the finals last time didn't make the finals or wasn't even in college yet!"

WOMEN'S 800m SEMIFINALS

HAZEL CLARK, Nike

"I just wanted to go out there and enjoy my race. It was kind of crazy, a lot of jostling going on. I heard my sister-in-law (Jearl Miles-Clark) scream for someone to get off of her. I just had to get my focus back.

"From our training group, we all made it finals and we had two PRs. I expect great things on Monday."

JENNIFER TOOMEY, Nike

"It was what I expected. I haven't been feeling great in races. I was injured in April - I tore the medial meniscus in my left leg and missed six weeks. I had the same injury before and reaggravated it while lifting. I've only had four to five weeks to train for today and I am healthy.

"I'd still like to go to Europe to race. I also still have plans to race the 1,500 here at the Trials."

SASHA SPENCER, Nike

"I felt good coming into it, really good after yesterday. I thought up until the start of the race that the top four and the next four fastest advanced. When they announced it was top four from each round, I realized I needed to stay out of trouble and be in those top four spots, instead of going home."

JEARL MILES-CLARK, New Balance

"I expect the final to be fast. It's supposed to start 20 minutes later so, hopefully, it will be cooler. But even if it is not cooler, I'll be ready.

"There was a little bumping behind me around the 400-meters (mark). The race starting picking up at 400 meters and I just followed the pace."

NICOLE TETER, Nike

"I went out there and took the lead and took control and that's the way I like it. I'm not ashamed to say I was a little bit scared out there. There's nothing really to say until Monday when we get out there in the final."

MEN'S 400m HURDLES SEMIFINALS

ANGELO TAYLOR, Nike

"I made it to the next day and I'm feeling good. My race was good enough to make it to the finals, but I still hit the first hurdle, but not as hard as yesterday."

JOEY WOODY, adidas

"I'm a little bit shocked right now because obviously I was expecting to get to the finals. I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to be in the finals this year, but I didn't feel real comfortable on this track the past couple days. I haven't run on this surface this year, so I think that played a little bit into my rhythm. I was floating over the hurdles a little bit and lost a little of my focus on the ninth or tenth hurdle. I allowed Sherman (Armstrong) to pass me on my left side and that should have never happened."

BERSHAWN JACKSON, Nike

"I felt like I did a superior job getting through the rounds. I've got one more to go so I can't be comfortable."

On starting slow: "I wanted to get into the groove and then pick up speed like a NASCAR racer and finish up strong. I was very nervous, but at the same time I was more humble than I was nervous because I've been practicing seven days a week all week.

"Tomorrow, the competition field is very strong and I know I will have to run a very fast time. I'm not going to predict any time."

RICKY HARRIS, Nike

"I'm not going to lie. I feel a little rusty today. I had some injuries early on in this season. I'm just recovering and trying to get ready for the Olympics, obviously. I made it to the finals, but I have some things I have to work on before tomorrow. To make the Games, I'll have to run 48-low. The field is very impressive."

JAMES CARTER, Nike

On comparison to the 2000 Olympics: "I'm healthy this year and this has meant a little more for me, coming back from injuries last year. And it will be a little easier going into the finals with the experience I got four years ago. I feel good."

Is it your race to lose with Joey Woody being out? "He's out? I didn't know. My thought process is that it doesn't matter whoever is in front of me. My plan is to come in here and win and be a contender for gold in Athens. The gold medal is the plan."

WOMEN'S 400m HURDLES SEMIFINAL

BRENDA TAYLOR, Nike

"Today was all about making the finals. It's really important to come in the top two of your heat because that assures you of a middle lane for the finals.

"To be honest, there will be a new world lead (time) tomorrow. There's a good chance there will be a new Olympic Trials record tomorrow and, luckily for me, I've been training for the outdoorsso definitely watch for a show.

Regarding today's temperatures, how much do you have left in your tank? "Hopefully a lot."

SHEENA JOHNSON, Nike

"I'm in the finals, that's what matters. I had a food first 100 and stayed in position to make the final the rest of the way. My steps were pretty good.

After the NCAA Championships four weeks ago: "It was a little hard to stay motivated without my teammates, but it was a good three weeks of training overall.

Regarding tomorrow's final: "It should be the four (of Demus, Taylor, Glover and her) for three spots.

Any good memories after winning NCAA title in Sacramento in 2003? "I remember coming of the last hurdle last year in the lead, so the memories are good. Hopefully, it happens again tomorrow."

LASHINDA DEMUS, South Carolina

"I'm go."

WOMEN'S HIGH JUMP QUALIFYING

BRITTANY DANIELS (16-year-old qualifier)

"I wasn't nervous until I had to jump. I just had to focus. I'm excited and I'm happy. Today was about qualifying and getting the feel."

"I think I did really well and I'm satisfied. After I jumped 44-11, I felt more confident going into this meet. On Sunday I have to be more focused and really want it."

Re: The enormity of the Olympic Trials - "It's the same as the other meets-kind of. It's big, it's new, but it's still just jumping. I try not to pay attention to the crowds. They really don't make me nervous."

MEN'S SHOT PUT FINAL

ADAM NELSON, Nike

"It only takes one. That's good if it works for you and bad when it doesn't. Luckily, I was able to get the energy for one throw and got my rhythm a little for that one. It also helped to get the crowd revved up behind me.

"This year, I decided to spend more time in the weight room early. As a result, my muscles have been a little tighter and I haven't thrown as far in meets. I got married in March and everything's been falling into place since then.

"We have a strong team going to Greece. It's very rare to throw over 71 feet and we have three guys doing that consistently. In a month we should have three guys ready to try and sweep the medals

"Christian (Cantwell) has a lot of talent and he has been consistent all year long. He's certainly the most powerful guy and one of the great up and comers. This will definitely put a fire in his belly.

Who is going to buy the first round of beers after today? "You never buy rounds of beer for shotputters. It's too expensive."

RESSE HOFFA, New York Athletic

"I'm always going to be the unknown shotputter in my heart. It's taken awhile to establish myself as one of the better shotputters. Ever since Adam (Nelson) came to Georgia, that's helped me to aspire to the highest level. I'm definitely the new guy so I'm ready to fill these guys' shoes if they decide to leave early."

JOHN GODINA, adidas

"It's good to have a tight competition because that's how it's going to be at the Olympics.

"I definitely sympathize with him because I was in his shoes four years ago. I don't wish that upon anybody

Regarding the shot put venue in Athens: "I took a lot of Classics classes in college and realized it's been 1500 years. I'm definitely excited about this opportunity. Nobody else will get it, everybody else will be in a big shiny stadium in Athens."

CHRISTIAN CANTWELL, Nike

"There are two great thrills in sport. One is winning, one is losing. I picked a pretty bad day to have a bad day. I don't really know what happened. Every throw, it felt like I was dancing around like I'd never been in the ring before. That's all I can say. I felt good coming in today, but it didn't happen for me.

"I've started slow before and still come back to throw the best of my life. Even on my third throw I thought I'd throw far. It wasn't a lack of confidence; it just wasn't my day today. I've still had a great year. If I could change it, would I? This is definitely a low point of the year. Life goes on. I still have the Golden League final."

WOMEN'S HEPTATHLON FINAL

SHELIA BURRELL, Nike

"It's been a long road my whole career. It's been a 'work in progress' and I'll be happy when it stops being 'work' and starts being 'progress.' I'm usually not leading after the first day, but I knew that I had to have a solid second day and I was looking forward to the javelin."

MICHELLE PERRY, Nike

"I just didn't put any pressure on myself."

Regarding security at the Olympic Games in Athens: "I really don't concentrate on things that are not in my control. I'm confident in the military security. I'm looking forward to representing my country."

TIFFANY LOTT-HOGAN, unattached

"Each one of us had an event that we would have liked to have done better.

Regarding on what she is going to work on between now and the Games: "I'm going to focus on the 800 and my jumps. The jumps are where the Europeans are doing really well. I need to get my mind ready for the 800 because it's a mind game."

COACHES' PRESS CONFERENCE

GEORGE WILLIAMS, U.S. Olympic Men's Team Coach

On who will be in the Team USA relay pools: "Trust us; we will have the best people out there in the relay pool to do the best to represent the United States of America. I promise you we will do that I promise you, we will not leave any medals behind back there and we will not send any back. Right now, I can't even talk about the relay because the meet is still going on. We have enough information on our athletes now to make the right decision.

"I don't think the sport is in trouble, but I do think there are some people who are in trouble.

"I know the men's team is going to be O.K. I mean, look we have 250-million-plus people in America - we're not going to have any problems. The fact is we're going to take the best team and the cleanest team to Athens. I hope all of the Olympics is as clean as we are.

"The younger men have a chance to step up. I think we're in good shape in our traditionally strong events. We are going out to win as many medals as we can. I think we'll win more medals than any country out there. We have athletes we can trust."

Regarding the relay selection pool: "We also talk with Brooks Johnson from the High Performance Team and get his input as to who has worked well on the relays. The 4x100-meter relay has always been an outstanding event for the U.S. We plan to continue that winning tradition."

SUE HUMPHREY, U.S. Olympic Women's Team Coach

On selecting the Olympic track team at the Olympic Trials: "It's exciting. You see a lot of youngsters going through the NCAA program who are really emerging, and we're seeing some athletes who needed some seasoning in 2000 stepping up."

Regarding the relay pool: "To be on the relay doesn't that you place in the top three, or that you have the fastest time of the seasonThe athletes who are selected to the relay pool are required to attend training camps and practices, and if they do not want to make that commitment, they will not be considered."

On how the press covers drug issues: "I think it's unfortunate in our society today that we take one or two negative things and make that the focus. There are many other young and upcoming athletes out there who are the standard bearers of tomorrow. They are breaking the records in their performances and I think it's insulting for them.

"I feel very sad and disappointed that everybody picks what maybe six or eight athletes have allegedly done to cloud, if you will, the whole Olympic Trials. We have over 1,000 athletes out here and the media have chosen to focus on a few and what they have allegedly done."

On Team USA's chances for medals: "We've been given the charge to win mid-20s in medals. We're going to put the best team out there.

"The number of athletes competing on the high school level is above any sport, and we have so many young people who are running the fastest times in the world."

Regarding her coaching relationship with George Williams: "George and I go way back. The rapport that we have has trickled down to our coaching staffs, which are athlete-centered coaching staffs."