Encouraged by his silver medal winning performance in Osaka last summer Canada’s Gary Reed has begun his preparations for the Beijing Olympics where he has high expectations in the 800m.

“My goal is to win it,” he reveals, “I go into every race intending to win.” If that sounds a wee bit arrogant then you don’t know Gary Reed. Quietly confident, yes, but there is nothing remotely close to brashness in the 26-year-old Canadian’s makeup.

When he crossed the finish line one one-hundredth of a second behind Kenya’s Alfred Yego in Osaka most observers felt disappointment for him because he had led the entire race. But Reed was just as excited as if he had won the gold medal.

“It was really exciting for about a month after but I have kind of put it behind me now,” says Reed of his medal. “It’s done now, in my mind I am just getting into the Olympics now and focusing on that.”

“The biggest thing from the World championships is I know that any guy in that final could have won the race, could have medalled in the race, and it won’t be any different at the Olympics. Probably anyone in the semi-finals could have won (Osaka), the event is so competitive.”

The money will take care of itself

Reed concedes he took some well deserved time off after returning home to Victoria, B.C. from the World championships instead of capitalising on his medal at European meetings. A good old fashioned thinking athlete the money is not a driving factor in his racing schedule. Though it is too early to plot the 2008 summer schedule, one thing is certain he will not change his philosophy in that regard.

“I have never raced for the money,” he affirms, “I have never chased the money, that’s not what I am about. I focus on the ‘majors’ I focused on the World championships I focus on the Olympics. I am not trying to get rich off track and field. I am just trying to win medals. The money will take care of itself.”

Not just training

These days he shares an apartment in beautiful Victoria, B.C. with his girlfriend Caitlin. The couple took a week’s vacation to Cancun, Mexico during his hiatus but now it’s all business.

When he is not training Reed keeps himself occupied with various activities including visits to local schools as part of a sponsored programme.

“I have joined the RBC Olympians programme and have been going around to a lot of schools speaking to kids,” he explains. “I am averaging four to six schools a month. They ask all kinds of funny questions. Usually the teachers have them do a little bit of research on track before I come in. I really do enjoy it.  I get a lot out of it, probably more than they do. Sometimes I run a little with them but usually it’s in an assembly.”

Relaxed attitude

The Canadian record holder at 1:43.93 Reed has consistently demonstrated he is one of the finest two lap specialists in the world. In a country where Olympic medal candidates are trotted out in Olympic years whereupon pressure is heaped on their shoulders Reed realises there will be expectations from the Canadian media.

“There’s pressure but so many sports take precedence over track and field so you’re not in the spotlight,” he admits. “Right now I don’t feel any pressure. That will change as we get closer. I just go out and prepare myself to run on the track and that’s all I can do. The amount of pressure I put on myself is usually enough.”

Paul Gains for the IAAF