Team USA Friday quotes

FRIDAY AUG. 27, 2004 QUOTES TEAM USA TRACK & FIELD QUOTES

MEN'S POLE VAULT FINAL

Tim Mack (Knoxville, Tenn.) gold medalist, setting Olympic record (5.95m/19-6.25): "I tell you what on that last jump the hardest thing is to focus on thinking there's everything to lose. The hardest thing is to focus on that I have step one, step to do and that I'm going to clear it no matter what. I had to tell myself that I had to work my arms really hard. Basically I said that a couple, hundred thousand times. I never thought about making it, but I didn't think about not making it. I wasn't surprised I cleared. I have a lot of things written down over the year in a notebook. That helps me trust my decisions. It took three years for all of these things to come together. It's not a one-year thing. There's a lot of sacrifice, a lot of decisions to make. It sounds like a storybook; there were so many people who got me here. I try not to think what the bar was.

On his email address: "I don't want to give away my whole email address, but it's goldinathens. I've had it for four years. I thought about that tonight on the runway."

Toby Stevenson (Chula Vista, Calif.), silver medallist (5.90m/19-4.25): "Everybody brought their A game tonight, and luckily for us, we got a gold and a silver. I'm disappointed that I lost, but am I disappointed that I got a silver? Hell, no. We've been here two weeks, saying to each other, 'let's get a gold and a silver,' half joking and half serious. And we did it!

"The crowd really inspired us. It was so noisy; I didn't even know the (rest of the) meet was over. You want to relish the atmosphere, but not get too caught up in it.

"Tim (Mack) is a great jumper; when he went 5.95, it inspired me. The jump Tim made at 5.95 in no way surprised me. He's been jumping well all year. Of course I realized that if he missed, I could win. But this is a competition, and I had to get out there and get ready to jump.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic I won the silver. It is the culmination of the last 15 years of my life - paying my dues, taking all the jokes about the helmet. It really legitimizes my life as an athlete.

"In pole vault, you always end on three misses. You learn to deal with that."

Derek Miles (Jonesboro, Ark.) tied for seventh (5.75m/18-10.25): "Mack jumped a personal record and took some good shots at six meters and Toby has been consistent at 5.90, 5.85, 6.00 meters, so it was just really exciting to watch those guys jump.

"I really feel like I had the ability to jump higher this meet, get a personal record, and jump 5.85 or 5.90. The last jump I had was actually the best jump of the night and I just didn't have it in the right spot and kicked it on the way up. That's been my thing through qualifying and finals get down to that third attempt and then live to fight another couple of attempts. So, I'm a little disappointed I hit it on the way up but I ended on the best jump of the night, so that's kind of a positive.

"I was in Paris last year (World Championships) and sat down after jumping and really watched a spectacular meet take place. I told myself after that competition that I was going to be in the thick of it next time. But I kind of ended up in a similar situation again this time."

WOMEN'S LONG JUMP FINAL

Grace Upshaw (Menlo Park, Calif.), 10th (6.64m/21-9 ½): "It was exciting. I would have desired a little bit more. The women are jumping extremely well out there. I would have liked to be with them for the final three jumps, but it wasn't the case for today. I made it here and I feel good about that. We have a couple more meets left in the season and I plan to end it on a high note.

"You've got to learn from these kinds of experiences and that's what I plan on doing."

Marion Jones (Cary, N.C.) fifth (6.85m/22-5.75): "I've never been one to give excuses. It just didn't happen for me today. The Russians deserved to have swept. None of us ... we didn't challenge them."

MEN'S 4x100 RELAY QUALIFYING ROUND

Shawn Crawford (Raleigh, N.C.) first leg on U.S. team, which won round 1 in 38.02:

"The only time I get tired is when I'm done. I'm feeling fine. They called me and told me to be ready, but I was already ready because we have six people to draw from for the relays. At any time, you've got to be ready to run, so I was well prepared for it. I just wanted to help my team accomplish the goal of getting this gold medal. Whatever it takes. You can run me in the round or in the final, and I'll be ready to go."

Darvis Patton (Fort Worth, Texas), second leg: I'm feeling good. I got to run a relay in the Olympics with Coby Miller, Shawn Crawford and Maurice Green. It was a wonderful experience. It was an honor to run with those guys. I was privileged to be running with those guys. The crowd got me into it. It got me so excited when I ran past the pole vaulters and Marion Green. They were all cheering for me."

Coby Miller (Pasadena, Calif.), third leg: "We've been in the village all day and all week we've been together. We're pretty hyped about coming out here and performing. It's awesome, the stadium's awesome, it's an honor to be able to run on a team with Shawn, Maurice and Darvis (Patton)."

"We definitely have a really really strong team. We'll come back in the finals and you guys will see something exciting. You can quote me on that."

Maurice Greene (Granada Hills, Calif.) fourth leg: "It was their decision to let me run last. I'm happy they want me on it.

"It was a little close, but tomorrow we're going to stretch it out and let the time drop."

Can we sweep all of the relays? "I guarantee you we can sweep all of the relays."

"I can tell you this. I'm chasing the time of 37.27 and we'll see what happens."

WOMEN'S 4x400 RELAY QUALIFYING ROUND. Team USA posted 3.23.79 clocking to leading qualifying round:

Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas), who ran anchor leg: "I think the team did an excellent job of giving me a nice, comfortable lead to work with. It should be good with Russia in the finals.

"I thought they went pretty well. I wasn't paying attention to other legs, but I ran really well with Monique coming in.

"I'm getting into my groove as the days go by. Unfortunately, it's too late for the 400. I'm just thanking God that I have another opportunity to go out there."He just told me to have fun, be relaxed. We thought we'd be ahead on my leg, so He just told me, and the coaches as well, told me to relax and make sure we qualified first."

Crystal Cox (Chapel Hill, N.C.), who ran first leg: "I was in lane one coming out of the hole so I just tried to stay close and pass it off in the lead. It's the 400, I'm hurting.

"We're doing great, we're here to win so hopefully things will turn out. We'll see tomorrow. I'm excited. It's my first Olympics. We're going to give them a show, that's what they wanted, I'm happy. I love the crowd."

Moushaumi Robinson (Austin, Texas), who ran second leg: "I'll find out later tonight if I'm running in the finals. I won't sweat it out because I know who ever runs, we'll get the gold. It wasn't our goal to tie our beat our medals in Sydney. We came in here to do what we needed to do and that was to win. My job was to make sure we'll stay in the lead. I felt like I did my job"

Monique Henderson (Bonita, Calif.) who ran third leg: "We've been doing so much training; it felt good to finally get out there and cut loose. The big thing today was to get the exchanges down. I had a lot of fun; the only pressure was what we put on ourselves. No, we don't know who will run in the final."

MEN'S 4x400 RELAY QUALIFYING ROUND

Kelly Willie, first leg on U.S. team which posted fastest qualifying time (2:59.30): "It felt really good to run for the first time in a few weeks; I had to stay patient. I had never run before a crowd like this one, so I wasn't sure what to expect. And it turned out to be terrific. The support of the crowd helped carry me. Yes, I was a little nervous. My way of dealing with that is to not let my mind get too far out in front of me."

Derrick Brew (Raleigh, N.C.), second leg: "Today was a qualifying round. The race is tomorrow. We had to go out and get a time in and win the heat today so we get to tomorrow. The three guys and myself did a great job. We've been waiting the last three weeks to run. They showed today that they were ready. We've got two guys who weren't even on the relay today that are resting. We should have a good shot at winning the gold."

...On his relay leg: "It was just get the stick around clean and bring it in with a lead. That's it, nothing special."

Andrew Rock (LaCrosse, Wis.), third leg: "We had a long wait, two weeks watching everybody else run out on the track. It's a lot of downtime but it was worth the wait, it was a fun run; it's great to represent the United States in a relay like that.

"Before every race I always wave to my parents. I thought it would be hard to find them here but, my mom was jumping up and down waving...I found them."

On getting to run in the final: "As far as I know, I probably won't get to run but that's the fair way to do it. I'm fifth in the order. Coach George (head coach Williams) has been fair giving me and Kelly (Willey) a chance to run and get the team through. It's a chance to win a gold medal. I'll just be happy with that because I know he's doing it the fair way."

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Darold Williamson (Waco, Texas), anchor leg: "We put our hands up high and grabbed the stick and made sure we got around the track. We made a strong statement and made sure everybody knew we were here. We're the favorite...we've always been. We're the United States. We let everyone know who's in charge and what's going to happen tomorrow."

MEN'S 110m HURDLES FINAL

Terrence Trammell (Ellenwood, Ga.), silver medalist (13.18): "My start went pretty good but then I crashed number six, I think, and it threw me off my rhythm. I tried to collect myself and do the best that I could. It was at that point, when I got a little twisted, that I lost my lead and the momentum that I had. Those things happen and you just have to make the best of it."

...On winning another silver medal

"Anytime you can get a medal at the Olympic Games, it is an honor. I'm not disappointed at all. Everyone wants to win, but only one person can."

...On the difference between 2000 and 2004

"In 2000, I think I was just glad to be there. This time I was looking for a little bit more, but I'll take the silver."

...On why LIU Kiang (China's gold medallist) is a great hurdler

"He's just consistent. Consistency is the key in hurdling."

WOMEN'S 10,000 FINAL

Elva Dryer (Albuquerque, N.M.) 19th (32.18.16): "I felt a little shaky in my race. I kept repeating to myself be strong, be strong. I tried to keep it together as best as I could and ran as hard as I could. It wasn't exactly what I had hoped for.

"To be honest, I didn't feel the heat so much. I've been training in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the highs are actually quite comparable to Athens. The only difference is we don't have the humidity. I ran inside on treadmill every now and then just to get used to running with the conditions a little more humid. I don't think running in that type of condition hampered my race. I really can't say that it had any affect on my performance."

Kate O'Neill (New Haven, Conn.), 21st (32.24.04): "My time wasn't what I hoped for but it was an amazing experience. It definitely lived up to my expectations walking out here and seeing a full stadium.

"It taught me a lot about the stuff it's going to take to improve more. Right now I've reached a certain level within the country but if I want to step it up to the next level and compete on the international stage then I need to learn how to race with people like that, so I've learned a lot from this. No regrets."

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WOMEN'S 4x100 RELAY FINAL (Team USA did not finish following bad handoff between second and third legs)

Angela Williams (Ontario, Calif.), first leg: "I hate having it end like this. This is a lifelong dream of mine. It just didn't happen for me. I could taste that medal, but we just couldn't get it around. We have to support each other, no blame to anyone. I just had to drop to the ground. I just couldn't believe it. I had mixed emotions, anger, and disappointment. We could have come out with the victory, I believe. We could have cruised like we did yesterday."

Marion Jones (Cary, N.C.), second leg: "The baton didn't get around. I really don't even know what happened. Angela (first leg Williams) ran a good leg, I thought I ran a good leg, I couldn't get the baton to Lauryn (third leg Williams) it didn't happen today."

"At the end of the 100, I was a little out of breath and...I couldn't get it to her.

"We came in here as a team, and you know what, we're going to head out of here with our heads up knowing that we did the best that we could today.

"I'm extremely disappointed, words can't really put it into perspective. When I woke up this morning, this wasn't the way I figured the day to end, and I can go home now and regroup, and get ready for next year. It was a disappointing performance. I've never been one for excuses, it just didn't happen for me today.

"We knew if we got the baton around, we'd have a chance at gold. It didn't happen today. Angela had a really good leg. I thought I had a pretty good hand off with her. I just didn't get it to Lauryn (third leg Williams)

"I think the relay coaches did an excellent job this year of getting us all prepared. It just didn't happen. That's the way the sport goes. It's extremely unfortunate for us and fortunate for the three other teams that won a medal. But we came in here as a team and we're going to leave with our heads up knowing that we did the best we could today but it wasn't nearly good enough.

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.) third leg: "I just made a few mistakes that's all. We'll be back. Next year is going to be a better year for us. I hope you guys are ready to come out and watch us next year."

Sue Humphrey, Team USA head women's coach: "It just wasn't meant to be. They were handoffs we've been doing all along. I'd need to see a replay to see what happened. I don't know what could have been done differently."