Athlete Quotes - Reebok Grand Prix

Held: June 11, 2005 at Icahn Stadium, New York, NY

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Women's 400 Meter Hurdles: Sheena Johnson, Winner; 55.46 seconds, Stadium Record

"This is my first hurdles race, and my goal was to be in the top three. It felt good to be out there today. I had a good race. I'm starting late because of a knee injury. Even though it took a while to return I'm happy to be back."

Men's Shot Put: Adam Nelson, Winner; 21.58 meters/70-09.75, Stadium Record

"This is the first time I've been healthy and pain free all year long since February. As an athlete it's great to finally be healthy and compete. The crowd here was fantastic. They really got into it. Going into Nationals I feel great. Now that I have had time in the ring, you're going to see a new Adam Nelson."

Women's 3000 Meter Run: Meseret Defar, winner; 8:33.57, 2005 world leader

"It was very hot and difficult, but in the end I handled it. Werknesh Kidane and I talked together, and had exchanges. It helped to pace each other. I am definitely happy with my time. It was hot, but good to work hard with my teammate. I want to make my country proud in Helsinki at the World Outdoor Championships. Back at home there is usually no humidity. The high altitude is not as troublesome. The humidity was difficult."

Women's Pole Vault: April Steiner, winner; 4.50 meters/14-09.00

"I think that the energy with all the running events was great. I loved it. The track was fast. I felt really good. I am competing the best that I have all year. Let just hope it keeps going in the right direction."

Visa Women's 100 Meter Hurdles: Michelle Perry, Winner; 12.45 seconds, 2005 world leader

"I love putting in work, and it paid off in the end. I just made subtle changes. I just wanted to go after the first hurdle, and take it from there and that is what I did."

Men's 3000 Meter Run: Gebre Gebremariam, Winner; 7:39.48, 2005 world leader

"My main goal was to run a fast time because of the heat that was my fastest. I was in San Francisco for the Cardinal Invitational, and now I am going back to my country to prepare for Paris and Rome. The atmosphere here was very good. I liked it very much as expected."

Women's 800 Meter Run: Kenia Sinclair, winner; 1:59.10, 2005 world leader

"I was very happy today. My main goal was to break 2 minutes. I wanted to get a good position and I did. I wanted to go and make a move at 200. I did and everything went well. The time means a lot I knew I was in good shape. My goal was to do it today and I did."

Men's 200 Meter Dash: Usain Bolt, Winner; 20.31 seconds, Stadium Record

"New York is like a second Jamaica for me. I looked at the crowd when crossing the finish line because that is just me. I know this a tough race, and I just wanted to finish well."

Women's 400 Meter Dash: Monique Hennagan, Winner; 50.67 seconds

"It's very humid, so it's a little draining. I am from South Carolina so I should be used to it. I was thinking 'hold on,' but I was okay in the end. It turned out that I was able to power my way through. My time is consistently coming down. As long as I put it together at the right time, I'll be fine."

Reebok Men's 1000 Meter Run: Alex Kipchirchir, Winner; 2:16.94, 2005 world leader

"I have to be prepared for anything. You have to enjoy the races that come your way, and let other people enjoy the races that go their way. My goal was to run around 2:15. This is a great place to run. I am fine tuning, and waiting for the big show. I am feeling really good right now."

"I don't run this race often. When Webb was out in front, I was not worried because it was the top and I knew it didn't mean he would win."

Women's 100 Meter Dash: Me'Lisa Barber, Winner; 11.05 seconds, Stadium Record

"I am training really hard and this finally came together. I have been waiting for this time. This facility is great, I have been racing here for a long time. I am from Jersey, and it is great to be back home."

Reebok Men's 110 Hurdles:

Allen Johnson, Winner; 13.03 Seconds, Stadium Record, 2005 world leader

"This is only one race at the beginning of the year. We are going to line up many more times. This is just a stepping stone to Helsinki. The media is going to have a field day with the false start. I had a little trouble in the middle with the 4th and 6th hurdle. I am pleased with the way I competed and even more pleased with the way I hurdled. It is about overcoming your mistakes. I felt Domnique under me, and I tried to get him. I am pleased with how I responded to that type of pressure. When I am behind I typically don't respond well.

Dominique Arnold, 2nd place finisher; 13.05 Seconds

"My mindset was not changed. It is a lot about focus. I made some mistakes. I was running with people who have run a 12.91-12.92 hurdle race. I have always looked up to Allen, and studied him for years. I am much more comfortable now. It was great to be next to Liu, the world record holder. I have not addressed the run off the last hurdle yet, it is something I want to work on. Allen is the greatest hurdler to step on the track.

Xiang Liu, 3rd place finisher; 13.11 Seconds

"Congratulations to competitors. I didn't start very well, my rhythm was wrong. I tried to adjust my rhythm and place. In the middle of the race my body was tilted left. My competitors push me to work even harder. I was trying to calm myself down after false start. I am still happy with my performance, which was a 'normal, mediocre performance.'"

Reebok Men's 100 Meter Dash:

Maurice Greene, Winner; 10.08 seconds

"I am having a lot of fun right now that is the most important thing. I feel the race was won in the middle between 45-75 meters. I feel that my top end speed is better than anyone in the world.

"I was born with confidence. If someone has a step on me or is stepping on me, I can always come out on top. We will have to see about the Beijing Olympics, as long as I continue to have fun I will keep running. I am taking it one year at a time. As long as I am having fun, I will keep going. I am like wine, the older I get, the better I am."

Shawn Crawford, 2nd Place; 10.10 seconds

"I was last coming out of the blocks. If I ever get off the blocks okay, I will dominate the 100 and 200."

"I was shocked, I know Maurice isn't faster than me."