Dayron Robles wins the sprint hurdles in Rome (© Getty Images)
One month after becoming the new World record holder over 110m Hurdles, Dayron Robles has not changed his pre-Olympics programme. After a busy successful campaign this summer, the young Cuban looks forward to his last races in Europe and travelling to Cuba before flying to China.
After posting his sixth consecutive victory this season in Athens, the 21-year-old found free time to update the IAAF website readers.
“Dear athletics friends,
“Hi from Athens. This my first message to you after becoming World record holder in Ostrava, on June 12. We spoke a lot about the World record race and other issues in a conference call organized by the IAAF in June.
“The World record was a great gift and a great confidence boost towards the Olympics. However, our focus has not changed and Beijing continues to be the main target.
“Since breaking the record, I have raced four times, including my third sub-13 second clocking in France. I also enjoyed my first win in Rome, the first Golden League victory this year.
“We have also kept our training programme in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, under the close guidance of my coach Santiago Antúnez. Our team, also made up of physician Ricardo Perez, physiotherapist Yosue Barrios and psychologist Maritza Vivsa, have been key in my preparation and I hope they all join me in Beijing.
“I followed the US Trials and I now know my three US rivals in Beijing: David Oliver, Terence Trammel and David Payne. Oliver has been very consistent. Trammel has been on the Olympic podium twice and Payne was third in Osaka.
“They all deserve our respect. They are tough rivals and represent the USA, the historic leaders in the event. A close competition and good times are guaranteed when racing with them. It is a pity my friend Allen Johnson did not qualify. He is a living hurdle and will be missed in Beijing.
“We still have four more races in the calendar before returning to Cuba for a short trip: Paris (July 18), Stockholm (22), London (25) and Monaco (29).
“For the Golden League in Paris, I keep good memories of this race. That's where I made my debut big time outdoors in 2006, running under 13.20 seconds for the first time (13.11). I won there in 2007 and this year promises to be another good race with Oliver and Trammel on the start list.
“We will have four races in Beijing over four consecutive days so I am preparing to the race situation we will have in the Olympics. I have done 110m Hurdles intervals, 120m flat intervals. We are enjoying every minute on the track and there is a good spirit in our working group as well as the rest of the national team.
“I also followed the World Junior Championships in Poland and one of your younger prospects, Belkis Milanés, grabbed bronze. Unfortunately, David Arzola and Jhoanis Portilla could not make it to the final.
“It looks like I will be the only Cuban in the 110m Hurdles as Yoel Hernandez and (2000 Olympic champion) Anier Garcia are out due to injuries. Yoel slipped on a wet track in Havana and has not recovered from a back injury. The rain also ruined High Jumper Victor Moya’s hopes of making his Olympic debut.
“However, the Cuban team stays strong and we hope to execute well in Beijing.
“After Monaco, I intend to go home and spend at least three days with my family and close friends. I want to relax in my own environment. It is a long journey from Cuba to Beijing, but it is worth getting the encouragement of your family. With that, I will be ready for the Beijing challenge. Thanks for all your support and see you in August.
“Nos vemos (See You)”
Dayron
