News21 Aug 2003


Single message from single-minded Greene

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Maurice Greene of the USA at the pre world championships press conference (© Getty Images)

Whatever anyone else might think, Maurice Greene has not been hiding. He may not have competed for more than a month – his last 100m race was on 11 July in Rome – and he may only have raced five times all season, but the World and Olympic champion insists his unusual 2003 schedule is just a different way of preparing.

“I don’t hide from anyone, I never hide,” replied the 29 year-old American when his absence from many of this year’s Grand Prix and Golden League meetings was queried by a journalist at today’s Adidas press conference. “This is what I have prepared myself for. I have been getting ready for the championships. It doesn’t matter how many meets you run, it doesn’t matter what you do before this championships, it just comes down to getting out there and performing well.”

Nevertheless, by the time he steps on the track on Sunday for the men’s 100m heats, Greene won’t have raced at the distance for 44 days, and his last and only victory of the year came way back on 1 June, when he clocked the second fastest time of the year, 9.94, in Carson, California. In the Rome Golden League meeting, his last outing, Greene finished third, in 10.09, looking far from the powerful and domineering presence we had all come to know, and the rest of the world’s sprinters had come to fear.

But the man once nicknamed “the Kansas Canonball” still believes he has enough firepower to see off those seeking to blast their way to the world crown. Indeed, he has no time for all the talk in athletics circles, all those writing him off, saying he is no longer the athlete he once was.

“When I hear that I laugh,” said Greene. “Every athlete changes from year to year. I’m no different. I have been training hard for a month; I just haven’t competed. The only thing that matters is being world champion, period. Nothing else matters.”

Whatever question was thrown at him Greene’s theme was consistent. When it was pointed out that in his most successful years he had competed more frequently than this – seven times at 100m in 1987, the year he won his first world title, 10 times in 1999, and eight in 2001 – he answered, simply, “The only thing that matters is coming out here and winning the gold medal.”

When asked how he would feel if he finishes second in the final on Monday, he said: “I’m coming here for the gold medal.” What time does he think it will take to win the gold? “I don’t care if I run 11 seconds as long as I win.” Who does he see as favourite? Himself, of course. What does he think of those who say he is no longer the man to beat? “That doesn’t concern me, the only thing that does is coming out and winning the gold medal.”

And so it went on, a single message from a single-minded athlete. Indeed, Greene was as slick as Adidas’s fancy backdrop and decorated stage, all decked out like a running track, complete with starting blocks and bright white lanes. A well-practised performer, he gave away very little “hard” information. Injuries? “I’m ready to run, and to win.” Who do you see as the main threat? “Anyone who steps up to the line is a threat.” What do you think of Patrick Johnson (the Australian who holds this year’s quickest time, 9.93)? “He’s just another athlete trying to take what I have.”

Indeed, you could almost say that if Greene runs as well as he talks the title will still be his come Monday night. It’s not all bluster and bravado, though. There is reason for Greene’s confidence. Clearly, he is what they call “a championship performer” – he’s won every global title since 1997. “The more people who are watching me, the better I perform,” he says.

He also has a justifiable faith in the ability of his coach, John Smith, to get him to the start line in the best possible shape. “Every plan he’s had in the past has worked,” says Greene. “I don’t think this is going to be any different. John has things he wants to do in practice and if a meeting conflicts with that then we don’t do the meeting. Ultimately, the decision is his, he’s the coach.”

Then there’s Greene’s last performance – a relay leg at the Golden League meeting in Berlin where a USA quartet clocked 37.77. “That’s the best I’ve felt all year,” said Greene. “I think everything is coming on at just the right time.”

And finally, there’s his new running shoe, a specially designed personal sprinting spike, weighing just 190 grams, that Adidas, with a little help from Greene, have named the “Demolisher”. It’s not unlike the personalised football boots worn by English footballer David Beckham. For a world and Olympic track champion, surely this is the ultimate sign that you’ve “made it”?

“No, I haven’t made it,” snapped Greene. “Not yet.” Sprinters of the world, be warned.

 

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