Dayron Robles, ready to start for outdoor campaign in Berlin – IAAF Online Diaries

Eleven days after a training camp in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Dayron Robles is ready to start his outdoor campaign at the AF Golden League meet in Berlin, on 1 June.

Following a training session in Havana with his mum in attendence, the young Cuban prospect found some time to update the IAAF website readers:
 
"Dear athletics friends,
 
Hi from Cuba! I just returned from Guayaquil, Ecuador, where I spent 17 days training with my team mates and other members of the Cuban squad. The conditions were good and we fulfilled the goals set for that camp. I noticed a good spirit in the team as the Olympics approach.

I feel confident with the new challenges ahead. My coach, physician, psychologist, physiotherapist and I make a very united team. My training partners Anay Tejeda, Anier Garcia, Yoel Hernandez also have Olympic goals and the juniors are targeting the Junior Worlds in Poland in July.

Back home, we finalized the special training phase and everything is ready to test ourselves in Europe.

In Havana, we had some tests, including a 150m run, jump tests, and did some drills on and between hurdles.

Berlin is set to be our debut outdoors. I can't wait to start the campaign and see in competitions the results of our training.

I raced in Berlin in 2006 and I hope to improve from my fourth place from two years ago. It's a historic stadium and the city will host the 2009 World Championships so I hope to start the season on the right note.

My compatriot Anay Tejeda, who was third at the World Indoor Champs in Valencia, is also expected to race there.

According to my coach Santiago Antúnez, we plan to do at least 10 competitions before Beijing, around five every month.

I am also expected to run in Turin (6 June), Ostrava (12 June), Lille (27 June), Rome (11 July), Paris (18 July), Réthimno (14 July), Stockholm (22 July) and London, three days later.

I have been following the start of the outdoor season and David Oliver has set the standard with an impressive 12.95. With so many times under 13 seconds, the world record could fall any time.

The European circuit will allow me to see how our preparation is going towards Beijing and meet some of the top names I will race against in August. Not only the sprint hurdlers but also some good friends in the sport like Irving Saladino.

Off the track, my mom came from our hometown of Guantánamo to spend some time together. It's a long tour and we'll be only back home in late September. The support of the family is crucial and I am happy to be with her before leaving for Europe.

I am also practicing my English almost every day and spend time with my girlfriend. Everything is running smoothly.

Based on how I ran indoors, I have great expectations towards the outdoor season. The sprint hurdles are very competitive and that could lead us to fast times this summer.

But the main focus is an Olympic medal. My compatriot and team mate Anier Garcia won in Sydney 2000 and was bronze in Athens 2004. I want to keep Cuba on the podium for four more years. 
          
Thanks once again for your support. I will keep you posted on my tour from Europe.

See you in June.
 
Ciao,"
 
Dayron