Athlete Quotes - Day 3

MEN'S 100m SEMIFINAL

BRIAN LEWIS, unattached

"Those guys were good enough to get to the final and I wasn't. Today wasn't my day. My start was OK, but not as good as everybody else, and the same with the middle of the race. I had a cramp in my right calf after the second round yesterday, and tried to get treatment for it last night, but it was still there today. Unfortunately it happened at the Olympic Trials, but it was something I had to deal with."

JON CAPEL, adidas

"It wasn't as good as I had hoped, but it's good enough to get to the final.

On his 9.93 today: "I have to do it again in the finals."

MEN'S 100m FINAL

MAURICE GREENE, adidas

"Today, I got my start together, but still didn't get out as good as I'd like. There's now one done (100 meters) and one more to go (200 meters)."

"Four years ago, it was going good. Then, the next two years were bad. I had a tough time coming back, but I didn't give up and I have to thank God.

"I knew it wasn't going to be given to me today. Whoever makes the final, deserves to be there. Then it comes down to whoever executes best.

Looking ahead to Athens: "My goal is to go 1-2-3 and show the world we have the best team and sprinters. The only way we'll lose the 4 x 100 is if we drop the stick or don't get it around.

"People counting me out didn't bother me. I knew I'd come back, but it would take time. Once I did, the next thing was to stay healthy."

JUSTIN GATLIN, Nike

"It'll be a coin toss who wins in Athens.

"These two people motivated me to be the best that I could. Shawn is my training partner and whatever he does in practice makes me know that I can do the same thing.

Re: his chances in the 200: "A sprinter is a sprinter. If you have heart, you can win the race. People thought when I came out that I'd be a 400 runner.

SHAWN CRAWFORD, Nike

"I don't worry about the others. I just go hard and train. I'm ready to bring the gold home in August.

"It felt great to win to Prefontaine Classic, but I knew this would be different. I've been training hard and I'm a confident person and try to do what I've been doing in practice today.

"We have the three best sprinters in the world representing us in Athens."

MEN'S 400m QUALIFYING

MITCHELL POTTER, U. Minnesota

On winning his heat: "I felt good. I hate to be the front-runner like that, but it's all good. I have to keep shooting my foot up with pain killers, but it's all good."

KELLY WILLIE, LSU

"I was just trying to go out there and run and get through to the next round. (When I looked at the scoreboard) I was surprised with the time. I feel real good. My plan was to get out and keep up with Alvin (Harrison). He set it up for me, I just rolled off him."

CALVIN HARRISON, Nike

"Everything is good. It was tremendously hot, but I can handle it. I'm happy to be participating for the fans and thankful for their support. Hopefully tomorrow we'll put on another great show."

OTIS HARRIS, Nike

"It was a blessing for me to win the heat and make it the next round. I was in lane two with nobody in front of me because lane three didn't show up. I was basically running off of nobody for the first 100 meters and I had to pace myself. The suspense (of waiting to run the race) and get through my first round at my first trials is over. I just have to settle in and run to win now."

JEREMY WARINER, Baylor U.

"There are a lot of great people out here, so I'm taking it one race at a time and try to make the final.

"If I made the team and was able to represent my country, it would be a great honor. I think I have a good chance.

"This was my first 400 since NCAA's, so it hurt a little, but I'm getting back."

CRAIG EVERHART, UCLA

"It was a pretty good run, especially since there was some wind. I'm ready to run faster in the next round. I came here on a mission to make the Olympic Team. I've been training really hard and I'm ready.

On competing in his first Olympic Trials: "It feels like another track meet, but it's not just another track meet."

TYREE WASHINGTON, Nike

"This is just the beginning for me. If it doesn't work out in track, I still have plans to go back to the NFL, maybe even this fall. There are three teams talking to my agent right now. But my first goal is to make this Olympic Team in the open 400. If that doesn't happen, the next goal would be the relay. I think I could really contribute to the relay with my experience."

MEN'S 400m HURLDES FINAL

JAMES CARTER, Nike

"The whole way I just tried to focus on my race, going out strong. From there I just tried to gauge myself and do what I've been doing.

"It means so much to make another Olympic Team. (The) 2003 season was a horrible season altogether."

ANGELO TAYLOR, Nike (2000 Olympic Games Gold Medalist)

"I had a good finish. It was a good race for me. I tried to really focus on clearing the first hurdle. I knew that if I did that, the rest would take care of itself. This is and energy distribution race and I saved it for the finish. I look forward to defending my title."

WOMEN'S 400m HURDLES FINAL

LASHINDA DEMUS, South Carolina

"I busted the ninth hurdle up pretty good. I screamed 'oh, no,' but luckily was still able to maintain my balance and finish it off. I still ran a P.R. and you can't do any better than that. I knew I deserved to be on the team and this feels great."

SHEENA JOHNSON, Nike

"The plan was to go out fast to first 200 then at the eighth hurdle it was all out. I knew we'd all have to run a P.R. to make the team. It's great that we're also all so young. I dreamed of making the team ever since high school. To actually do it is really special.

BRENDA TAYLOR, Nike

"I stayed focused on my lane and got out relaxed for the first six hurdles. I knew there were four people in this race ready to break the Olympic Trials' record just to make the team.

"This is really exciting since track and field was not my sport initially. Luckily, I was able to win an NCAA title to keep me in the sport.

MEN'S POLE VAULT FINAL

TIM MACK, Nike

"I was going with whatever were presented to us and just trying to stay in the competition. It was really tough to keep your mind-set.

On nearing missing his final attempt: "When I brushed it, I knew I hadn't knocked it down. You know when you knock it down."

TOBY STEVENSON, Nike

On his celebrations: "Today I planned out my celebration, just so I could stay relaxed. It's a way to have fun, relieve some stress and get the crowd involved because I love the crowd so much in pole vault. Usually I just do them as the moment comes, but today I needed to relax, jump my jumps, and pray that three other guys didn't beat me."

DEREK MILES, Nike (native of Sacramento)

On the competition at the Olympic Games: "I think the competition at any Olympic Games will be tough. You just have to plan on jumping a P.R. to even have a shot at doing well."

Regarding today's competition: "There were like ten people today that could've made that team."

On making the Olympic Team: "It's exciting, it's a dream come true. I'm no spring chicken: I'm 31. I know this stadium so well. I jumped here in high school. It was nice to be at home at my parents' house this week, staying in the room I grew up in."

NICK HYSONG, Nike

On not advancing to Athens: "I can relax a little more this summer and take some time off. I will come back next year and be strong. I just need a tad more confidence to finish the jumps. No one can take my (2000 Olympic Gold) medals away from me.

MEN'S LONG JUMP FINAL

DWIGHT PHILLIPS, Nike

"I got a good jump early, but I didn't think it would hold up. As the meet went on, it was looking better and better. There were some headwinds and that made it difficult for a lot of guys. It feels great to win the Trials again. Last time, I was a rookie and didn't know what to expect.

"I brought the 'Spider-Man' suit, but it was too hot to wear today.

Regarding complaints about U.S. long jumping in 2000: "I thought it was a positive thing and put pressure on us to train hard, and it worked.

"The women's triple jump delay helped me. I ran a heat of the 100 early today and needed and extra hour to recuperate. I have a new found respect for sprinters and am happy to run against them. Now I know where I stand. I'll still run some 100s to keep up my speed."

JOHN MOFFITT, Nike

"It's been a hard season. I've worked hard to make the team. It means a lot to me. It shows that a lot of hard work pays off.

"I fouled about six of my jumps. The wind was swirling and it kept pushing me over the board. I finally got on ein and make it."

TONY ALLMOND, unattached

"It was a long competition, but still a good all-in-all day. After NCAAs, it was going to be a different outcome.

"I feel like I could've have done better. It's time to slow it down, get some rest, hit the standard and get out there in August. I'll just take it one step at a time to get the standard."

WOMEN'S TRIPLE JUMP FINAL

TIOMBE HURD, Nike (who set the American Record at 47' 5 today)

"I cannot explain how good it feels the moment you find out you're an Olympian. Being an Olympian and knowing I'm going to Athens is all I've been waiting for the last four years.

After fouling on her first two attempts: "I was very scared after my first two jumps. I just looked down the runway for my third jump. I said a prayer and I knew the Lord would not bring me this far to be out of medal contention."

SHAKEEMA WALKER, unattached

Regarding not having the "A" standard: "We're going to talk to our agents and coaches and we might have a meet at the Olympic Training Center, or we'll just have to go Europe and fight for it.

"I was injured for two years and thought I was done (jumping). Then Randy Huntington called me in October 2002, and told me they were looking for me and wanted me to train at the Olympic Training Center (in Chula Vista).

"I didn't even learn how to triple jump until I moved to the (Olympic) Training Center. Thanks to the trainers and the people at the Training Center and in San Diego community, I was able to get healed and came back and PR'ed (in the triple jump) in 2003."

VANETTA KINARD, Nike

"I lost my mom. She was murdered in March. I feel like I won because I know my mom was watching over me in heaven. I feel like I defeated so much to get here."

Regarding on seeking the "A" standard for the Olympic Games: "I'm very, very confident. I only have about seven centimeters to get it. I've overcome so much already. I know I can get those seven centimeters."

WOMEN'S JAVELIN THROW FINAL

KIM KREINER, Nike

"I train in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, so this weather is pretty nice since there is no humidity - the conditions were not a factor on how I threw.

"Looking ahead, I'm not going to change anything in my training. I'm capable of throwing well over 200 feet and I'm sticking to the plan."

SARAH MALONE, U. Oregon

"My goal was to be in the top three, so it feels really good. I may not have the "A" standard, but that doesn't minimize how I did today. It's been a long season with the collegiate meets thrown in and I knew making the team was a long shot.

"When I was here as a high school senior in 2000, I was much more nervous. Today was more fun since I have more experience throwing against these people. I'm looking forward to 2008 and trying to win a spot on the team that goes to China."

DENISE O'CONNELL, unattached

"It was not my best throw, but I still have until August 8th to get the "A" standard. I came in in prime condition and had a few good ones, but I didn't stick them. The heat doesn't bother me because I train at Virginia Tech and it's less humid here.

"I love the stadium. When we took the victory lap everyone "high-fived" us and shook our hands."

SERENE ROSS, Nike

On not advancing to Athens: "I'm strong right now. I just need to put it all together. This happened for a reason. I just need to come out and get it done. It's a matter of discipline, not going down the runway sloppy, and I need to be more mentally sound. I'll go back to the weight room and work hard."