Gold MedallistJerome YOUNG USA
"This is a feeling which I can't describe. I have always dreamt about getting a gold medal in major championships and it has finally come. It's something I've had to be patient about.
"I've worked really hard all year. A medal counts so much in an athlete's career that I will never forget this.
"Coming here I knew I had a chance. I knew that if I just executed my own race and stayed focused, I'd do well.
"The crowd here is great. I heard them yelling hard coming off the last curve and was a bit worried about the French guy (RAQUIL) possibly catching up. But I knew that if I stay focused and relaxed, I would be all right. I am so very admirative of what the French guys did in front of their own crowd: I am really proud of them!
"It feels good to be among the other US gold medalists. I hope there is many more to come."
Silver Medallist - Tyree WASHINGTON USA
"I waited all year for this (to finish second), I don't think so.
"Jerome ran an excellent race and I have to congratulate him on that.
"I started racing in January and I have been racing until now, it caught up to me. I lost in the finals, that's my first loss of the year; that hurts.
"I have battled injuries all year but I am not using that as an excuse, I have had a blessed season. Even if I am hurt, I will compete. You just have to suck it up and deal with it. That's all.
"I knew I was in trouble on the curve and I couldn't make up the ground on Jerome, if it was another ten metres I could have got him. I don't know whether I executed the race well or not, all I know is that it just didn't work out tonight.
"God is testing me to see how I react, I feel like I'm about to cry. A coach would say suck it up and move on.
"I am happy though about finishing one-two. I feel like we are bringin back US 400m running, and I really am glad that it worked out well."
Bronze Medallist - Marc RAQUIL FRA
"I can't believe what just happened! I was so far away at the end of the last turn - 10 m behind, I think! I'm used to running a very strong home straight, but this one... I just don't know how I managed to come back! At such a level, it's really unbelievable.
"Next year I'll try to change my way of running the 400 m though! I just gave it all, all my energy, for this medal and also to reward the crowd. Before the gun went off, when I heard the crowd shout, I thought it was a football match! I just couldn't have imagined that the French crowd would be so excited!
"
Tonight there's going to be a huge party with Leslie (DJHONE, who placed 5th) and Francois (PEPIN, my coach, who is a really wonderful person), but I promise we'll remain sobre! Francois has always been there for me all year long, when I was up and when I was down with injuries. This medal is also his."
