Lausanne, Switzerland – Jamaica’s Olympic 100m champions Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Fraser, Australia’s Olympic Pole Vault champion Steve Hooker, multiple global Long Jump title winner Dwight Phillips of the USA, and European Indoor champion and record holder Sebastian Bayer of Germany, talked with the international press on Monday (6), the eve of the Athletissima meeting, Tuesday 7 July.

Athletissima 2009 is a Super Grand Prix status event as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour.

Usain Bolt (JAM)

What do you expect from tomorrow’s race?

“I asked my coach to include the 200 metres in Lausanne in my racing programme because Lausanne is very special. The track has the best curve because it is very large. Last year I eased up in the final metres. This year I want to run strongly until the end because my goal is to see where my shape is.”

What about the challenge of Tyson Gay later this season (especially after his 19.58 in New York)?
 
“Tyson Gay is going to be very dangerous in the 200 metres.

What about your goals for this season?

“Every World Championships season is important. My goal is to do my best in Berlin. I am not in the same form as last year in this period of the year but I am working to reach my best shape for the World Championships. My aim is to reach results as in Beijing but my priority is to win races than (set) World records.”

Do you fear that you will lose your speed if you focus on the 400 metres?

“I can lose some speed training for the 400 metres but if I prepare for the 400 metres I will be ready to run the 100 metres.”
 
How do you cope with the fact that you are the symbol of athletics?

“It’s not a problem for me because it’s part of my job. The only thing I dislike is that I have to do many interviews but I enjoy my job.”
   
What do you think about the win of Roger Federer at Wimbledon? Do you other sport heroes apart Cristiano Ronaldo?

“I am not a tennis person but I look up to Roger for what he did. Every athlete who is the number one in his sport deserves great respect. After Ronaldo I admire US golfer Tiger Woods.”

Shelly Ann Fraser (JAM)

What is your goal for tomorrow’s race?

“I feel pretty good and I am excited to be back in Lausanne. I ran 10.88 in Kingston in my first race after an injury. Tomorrow I hope to concentrate on my technique, focus on my start and execute my own race. The Lausanne track is very fast. It’s the second time I face Carmelita Jeter this year after the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.”

Has your life changed since the Olympic title?

“The Olympic title has changed me as I am now more mature. I have grown up in a poor environment but I see my origin as a source of motivation. I knew that I had to work hard to achieve success. I owe much to my mother who has been a source of motivation in my life.”

Steve Hooker (AUS)

What about your training base in Germany?

“We found excellent conditions last year when I won the gold medal. We train in a very good facility in Leverkusen, near Cologne. There is a great atmosphere there.”
 
About your shape after the excellent indoor season?

“I picked up a couple of injuries but I am now in good shape.”
 

What is your memory of your last competition in Lausanne?
 
“I competed here in 2007 but it was very cold and we found difficult conditions but the facility is excellent for Pole Vault.”

What do you think about the new French star Renaud Lavillenie?
 
“I am really looking forward to competing against him tomorrow. I have already met him at the Paris indoor meeting. He has a different technique from the other French vaulters. His approach is more aggressive. I am not surprised about his improvement because I knew what he is capable of.  I want to build up my consistency in the lead-up to Berlin. I have not competed since last March. It will be a good measure to test my shape against the best vaulters in the world in my first competition. I am a competive person and I need strong rivals.”

Dwight Phillips (USA)

Have you ever competed against Sebastian Bayer?

“No, it will be the first time we compete together in the same competition. This year there are many jumpers who are able to jump 8.40 -8.50. The Long Jump is very competitive and I am happy that there are new jumpers who are emerging. This is good for our sport.”
 
What is the secret for your return to good shape?

“I lost weight and I focused my training on speed. I improved my technique thanks to my coach. My sprint is much better and this helps me in jumping far. My coach told me that I am capable to break the World record”

Sebastian Bayer (GER)

How are your preparations going?

“During the indoor season everything went well. Training was going well in April but in May I suffered from some setbacks. I have returned to my best shape at the German Champs. I want to pick where I left off this winter.”

What about the return to success of German athletics?

“We have good athletes who are competing at such a good level. It is good to athletics in Germany before the World Championships in Berlin.”

Diego Sampaolo for the IAAF