Men’s marathon world record holder Khalid Khannouchi spoke Monday (July 30) on a USATF teleconference, in advance of his first race in a Team USA jersey this Friday (Aug. 3) at the 2001 IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Edmonton, Canada. The three-time winner of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon (’97, ’99, ’00), Khannouchi is the only male to have three marathon performances ranking in the top 20 all-time. Khannouchi set his world record (2:05:42) at the 1999 Chicago Marathon, got his U.S. citizenship on May 2, 2000, and broke the U.S. record in his first marathon as an American citizen at Chicago in the fall of 2000 (2:07:01). The men’s marathon at the World Championships will kick off the meet on August 3, with the winner crossing the finish line during Opening Ceremonies.

Below are excerpts from today’s teleconference.

Q: If you could tell us a little about how your training is going and how you are feeling about your first Team USA race, I know you have been waiting for this for a long time.

A: I think I’m pretty good. I feel confident and excited about the new experience. I feel that I am ready to go.

Q: Are you 100 percent fit? If not, how would you rate it?

A: I don’t like to talk about it, because opponents know what’s going on. But I feel I’m ready and that my training is good enough to go out there and compete with the best. I feel good about myself.

Q: How do you feel about your first championships marathon as an American?

A: I’m excited about the new experience. All the years we’ve been fighting and working so hard. It feels good that finally I’m a citizen and that I can represent my country the way I want and the way people expect.

Q: Did you watch the 2000 Olympics?

A: I didn’t. I was heartbroken because I was supposed to be there, but injury prevented me from doing it. I felt bad, and I didn’t want to make it worse by watching it.

Q: What have you learned about yourself as an athlete since having injuries?

A: I learned that sometimes I can be weak, just like anybody else. The week in Utica was a depressing time for me. I lost hope, confidence and faith. But I say thank you to the people that are around me, my wife, my brothers, the people that treat me well to help me get healthy. They gave me the support I need. I’m back and I’m focused and I’m going to do the best I can to give a great performance. That’s the way I think, and that’s the way I am. (Khannouchi missed 8 days of training after suffering back spasms and dropping out of the Utica Boilermaker).

Q: You set a national record in your first race as an American in Chicago last year. Are you looking for that kind of performance in Edmonton?

A: I want to make a statement – I hope I can get a gold medal for the U.S. in the World Championships, that will motivate the rest of the team.

Q: How have you been preparing in training for the race? A: 5 weeks altitude training in Albuquerque, then 8 weeks here in Ossining (NY).

Q: What did people do to help you in the last few weeks?

A: When you are unmotivated, I was really down … my wife was there, my brothers all came to my place and spent time with me. They gave me confidence and told me, you’re doing great things. The people I work with – massage therapy, chiropractor – they worked with me and they are great help. Even if they don’t have time in their schedule, they fit me in or come to my house to make sure I get the treatment I need.

Q: Why did you want to become a US citizen?

A: I wanted to be an American. I don’t know how to explain it. I got here and I met many great people who gave me the love I need and opened their homes and hearts to me. That made me feel great as a person. When I succeed as a person, I want to give something back. I love my country – I will never lie and say I don’t love Morocco. But I love the United States and I would be so happy to win a gold medal for this country.

Q. Did you ever think you’d be where you are now, after spending time washing dishes and working?

A. Yes. There was the issue of doing all these odd jobs. I was just waiting for my time. I trained with the national team in Morocco. I was training with the best, and everyone had the feeling I would be one of the great athletes like everybody else in the camp. I came here and I found difficulties, but I dreamed I would make it one day. That’s why I was working sometimes 12, 13, 14 hours a day, but I’d come home and go for a run, maybe it was snowing. My friends would call me crazy, but I always had the hope and the faith that I would make it one day.

Q: Do you plan to run in Athens in 2004?

A: Edmonton is the main goal this year. The other goal is Athens. I’m going to take it one year at a time. If I stay healthy, I think it is possible.

Q: You could have run other races that pay more money. Why did you choose to run Edmonton? Did you feel an obligation?

A: Not an obligation. I am free to do what I want to do. But I feel as a professional athlete I need titles – that is very important to me. The main reason is I want to give something back. I had many good offers this year, but everyone expects me to do well in Edmonton and I want to take that challenge.

Q: How will this race, for Team USA, be different that your first race as an American in Chicago?

A: This will be very special. Chicago has its place in my heart, but this is very special and will be even better. If I go to Edmonton and do very well, I don’t think I’ll find the words to describe it. It will be special for me and other people and maybe to the future of the sport in this country. When you get excited and get people to remember what is important to them and to you, that’s the greatest feeling and it will be very, very special for me.

Q: Do you feel a responsibility to promote the sport in the U.S.?

A: I feel that responsibility. I’ve been living here. I can go out and see many talented young kids – you feel they have so much talent just like the Kenyans and Ethiopians and Moroccans. I feel it is my responsibility to go out and do something well that can inspire other people. I am sure the future of our sport will be bright and I am trying to be part of it.