Athlete Quotes, USA Track & Field Press conference

USA Track & Field on Wednesday hosted a press conference in advance of the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships presented by Visa. Participating in the press conference were 2004 heptathlon Olympian Michelle Perry, the fastest woman in the world this year in the 100-meter hurdles and the women's leader in the race for the Visa Championship; 2004 Olympic 200m silver medalist and 2005 world leader Allyson Felix; 2004 Olympic 100m silver medalist Lauryn Williams; and 2004 Olympic 400m and 4x400m gold medalist Jeremy Wariner. Below are excerpts from the press conference.

Michelle Perry

This season I was expected to do the heptathlon through the year. We opened it up to do the hurdles. This year I'm only competing in the hurdles. I'm coached by Bobby Kersee and I train with some of the best athletes in the world.

The 100 meter hurdles is probably my favorite event because it's an event I've been doing since high school and it doesn't last two days.

I want to try to be dual, I just need to find a schedule that allows me to do it.

Allyson Felix

My season is going well. I'm pretty much on pace with what we've expected. I've been working on things to be in a position to make the team.

I definitely feel different. I feel more comfortable this year. I can be focused more on my training and relax. I have much more confidence.

It's always great when I have the chance to compete at home. It motivates me. I love to have my family and friends here to support me.

Lauryn Williams

I have to admit I was a little nervous getting back into it after I took eight weeks off in the fall. It turned out to be a great fall and this season has been very good.

It's definitely been a confidence booster to come back and beat the gold medalist [at the Nike Prefontaine Classic]. I wasn't just focused on her, there were a lot of great athletes in that race. There could have been a lot of people in front of me.

I don't think I'm at all to my potential, my peak. I haven't reached my potential for this year, or my potential overall.

I'd say I'm in about the same shape as I was in Athens. My training on the track is going great.

Jeremy Wariner

I feel pretty good going into this week. I've had a kind of slow season. Coach Hart has worked on my strength all season. I know what Coach Hart is trying to get me to do, so I can't panic about the times. I just have to go out and run my own race and not let it get to me.

It's a lot of different pressure running as a professional. Coming in as Olympic Champion, everyone is trying to beat me.

(About the 400 at the USA Outdoor Championships): It's stacked. A couple of athletes who are at the top of the world, may not make it as individuals, but go in the relay.

It's going to come down to who has the better strength and doesn't tighten up at the end.