2010 Prefontaine Classic Press Conference Excerpts from Tyson Gay, Jenn Suhr, and Bernard Lagat
By USATF Communications
July 2, 2010
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EUGENE, Ore. - U.S. men's 100m record holder Tyson Gay, 2009 World Outdoor Championships silver and bronze medalist Bernard Lagat and the American record holder in the women's pole vault Jenn Suhr appeared at a press conference Friday held in conjunction with the 2010 Nike Prefontaine Classic.
The fourth and final event of the 2010 USATF Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the Nike Prefontaine Classic will take place Saturday at historic Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene.
The Nike Prefontaine Classic, featuring no fewer than 41 Olympic Games or World Championships gold medalists, will be televised LIVE by NBC from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Nike Prefontaine Classic is a member of the prestigious new IAAF Samsung Diamond League series consisting of 14 of the greatest invitational track meets in the world www.diamondleague.com.
Excerpts from this afternoon's press conference follow:
Tyson Gay
Q: How do you feel?
A: I feel okay. The hamstring is coming along. It's still slightly tight, but it's getting better.
Q: How does it feel to finally be able to step on the track and run one of your events?
A: To run here really feels good. I feel this is an opportunity for me to hopefully redeem myself from 2008. Sometimes when you get injured on a track and you know you can be fast and you don't have the opportunity to run on it, you know you wish to have that opportunity again.Q: Do you think about that when you go out to Hayward Field?
A: Actually I don't. I thought about it today for the first time, but I really don't. I haven't watched that race in a long time, but I just want to take advantage of running on a nice track at a nice stadium.
Q. How's your health?
A: It's coming along. It's definitely not 100%. I think I'm about 85% right now. My hamstring is still tight but it's just a problem that I'll just have to run with it. It's not going to tear or anything like that, it's just tight.
Q: With that hamstring still being tight, will you have to make a more conscientious effort to warm up longer to keep from making it worse?
A: Yes. It takes me a little longer to warm up, but that's cool.
Q: Does running the turn in the 200m put more stress on your hamstring than just running straight in the 100 meters?
A: I don't even want to think about it and I haven't thought about it. Don't scare me (laughter).
Q: How excited are you about racing against Usain Bolt later this season?
A: I want to race the best. I'm 85% excited because that's where I'm at right now.
Q: You say you're at 85% right now. Do you have any idea when you'll approach being 100% again?
A: I think after I get this race under my belt and a few 100s under my belt, than I think I'll be good to go. I need to get race sharp and get my start sharper and I'll be good.
Bernard Lagat
Q: Everyone knows about the success you've had with the Wanamaker Mile and that you've been successful with the Bowerman Mile at the Pre Classic. What would it mean for you to win it again on Saturday?
A: It would mean a lot to me. It's been a long time since I've won the Bowerman Mile and I want it so bad. My coach told me to go in there and put your mind and everything in it and don't go into it halfway and just do the work and run strong towards the end and make sure you win it because this is important. If I lose tomorrow my son is going to be not too happy. He's here with me and he gets upset when daddy loses races. I lost in New York and he could not believe that I lost, and when I broke the American record in the 5,000 I finished third and he wasn't too happy, so there's more motivation for me to run and win for my son as well.
Q: Would another motivation come from knowing that you're facing a terrific field in this race?
A: Absolutely. The biggest motivation is that I am running against the best in the world. Everybody's here and for me to win I'll have to work very, very hard for it. It's not going to be easy and it won't be given to me. I've been training well and I'm rested, I'm ready mentally and physically.
Q: Does it mean more to you to win these famous races when the competition is more challenging?
A: If you think about the Wanamaker for example, I was going against the Olympic champion and it was not easy. I had to run hard, I ran a smart race and I won it, so that is a legitimate race that I won and tomorrow is going to be another one.
Q: Do you think anyone is going to take it out early and try to take your great kick away from you?
A: I think so. About 1,200 meters into the race I am sure somebody is going to try to go.
Jenn Suhr
Q: Did you expect to break the American record in the women's pole vault last week at the USA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines?
A: Not at all. My coach expected it but for me it was unexpected because I kind of like to jump it in practice first before I jump it and I wasn't there yet. I just went with it and I can remember the jump clearly. I jumped like I knew I was going to make it, and I made it and I was excited. That was probably the most I've celebrated for a jump because it wasn't a clean jump, it wasn't a pretty jump but it was a tough jump. Q: There was a lot of wind in that stadium through the week. What was it like during your competition and during that particular jump?
A: We watched the guys finals and they had a tailwind and I couldn't wait to compete, and the next thing you know they switch the pad and we're warming up into a headwind. They kept saying it was going to change and at times it did, and at times it was back to a headwind. It was about being patient and waiting for the wind and knowing how to conserve your energy to wait so that you have the right wind.
Q: Do the conditions at Hayward Field usually suit you well?
A: I wish every field had the same direction of wind every time but it doesn't and you just don't know. The stadium and the crowd are always fantastic, it's just what way is that wind going to blow.
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?A: I think it's to maintain in the competitions and keep jumping tough and try to have more habitual, technical jumps. They've been a little sporadic at times. We watched tape of all my jumps at Nationals and every jump was different and there's no habit yet. I need to get the habit back and the form consistent.
Q: You have the top mark in the world this year and you could be on your way to the #1 world ranking at the end of the year. Is that a goal of yours, and what would it mean to you to achieve it?
A: It would mean a lot for me to get that. It's definitely something that I want, but it's also something I can't push for or sustain any injuries trying to get. It's going to be a play by ear thing the rest of the season.
For more information on the 2010 Nike Prefontaine Classic and the USATF Visa Championship Series, visit: www.visachampionshipseries.com.\
More: LRC 2010 Pre Classic Preview
*LRC Viewers' Pre Predictions
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