Day 5 evening quotes, 2009 IAAF World Championships

Bernard Lagat (Tuscon, Ariz.), Men’s 1,500 meters bronze medalist

That was the hardest box ever. This is a box that was happening a little too close to the finish. Normally, when it happens, with 300 meters to go, you can make your way out of it. This one happened at the wrong place, with 150 meters to go. I couldn’t do anything.

Lopez Lomong (Colorado Springs, Colo.), 8th in Men’s 1,500 meters

It’s good, it’s hard and it’s nice. This was a good experience for me. It was fun here, running with the best of the best in the world. It was fantastic. I was right up there. I was caught up in a little situation. I got boxed in a little bit. I’m not going to beat myself up just because I lost today. I’m going to use this for my confidence and get ready to go. I hope for next time it will be a little bit different. I had a great time here in Berlin. I talked to Bernard. I congratulated him. He ran a fantastic race. He was able to bring home a bronze medal.

Leonel Manzano (Austin, Texas), 12th in Men’s 1,500 meters

These guys are the best in the world. I was glad to be in the mix. It was a great race for everybody. You work very hard. You can’t make any mistakes when you are competing at this level. The big goal was to make the world championship team. The next goal was to advance to the finals. Once in the finals, I was going to give it a good go. I tried to give a good go. I gave it my best. The first couple of laps, I tried to get in there. I gave it a good shot. It didn’t happen. I don’t think I’m disappointed. Finishing 12th in the world isn’t that bad. It was a great season and the season is still going on.

Ginnie Powell (Los Angeles, California), 6th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

The race was very messy. I felt good, especially over the first four hurdles, and then I was trying to press so hard that I was clipping hurdles. I clipped one real bad and that threw me off.

It’s sad that two of America’s top hurdlers couldn’t medal, and especially under Bob Kersee. It’s the first time in a long time that he didn’t get a medal in a major meet.

Anyone on that starting line could have won that race. (One of the girls) was saying that if you make one little mechanical mistake, no matter how fit or strong you are, it’s over.

Dawn Harper (Los Angeles, California), 7th in Women’s 100 meter hurdles

I had a real good start. I hit hurdle 2, and there’s not really much you can do when you hit it. I hit it real hard and I almost fell. It’s hard to regroup when you’re chasing 12.51.

I feel like I let my coach down (Bob Kersee). Ginnie and I were both ready to go. We just didn’t execute our race.

You cannot count out anyone in that race. Everyone there was ready to go.

Casey Malone (Ft. Collins, Colorado), 5th in Men’s discus

This German crowd was really incredible. They were cheering for everybody, and especially for Robert (Harting) the loudest. These folks really know their discus out here.

I felt like my throws got better and better as the competition went on. It’s funny that I kept throwing better and better but I could never throw out of that fifth spot. Technically speaking, my throws got more relaxed towards the end. I wished I had more throws. Maybe I could have gotten fourth, but I wished I could’ve gotten that one big throw.

Ashton Eaton (Eugene, Oregon), Men’s decathlon

Coming into this meet, I knew that Trey (Hardee) and I were the fastest, so I wanted to set the tone early.

I felt good going into the long jump, and was excited about that PR. The shot was tough to manage. It’s going to be a while before I am competitive in that, so I have to manage it. The high jump is something I’m a bit inconsistent with.

The key to the decathlon is consistency. I just have to do my normal stuff.

Trey Hardee (Austin, Texas), Men’s decathlon

I came out like a cannon in the first three events, Point wise, I have to be happy with where I’m at, and I’m looking forward to getting some rest.

I’m looking forward to an exciting second day. These guys are excellent competitors.

Shawn Crawford (Los Angeles), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

I was hoping that would be a sub-20 race. I have to change my race strategy. That strategy right there is for the birds. Trying to run hard from the blocks to the turn is not for me. I think the final is going to be fast. My goal is to run 19.51. I would be very happy with that.

Wallace Spearmon (College Station, Texas), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

It was pretty good. I’ve been trying to go out there and run a little bit harder in each round. But at the same time, I know Usain Bolt is an animal, and I am going to have the best race of my life to beat in the finals. I look forward to my chances and I look forward to tomorrow. I’m going to look for a PR tomorrow and try to get on that medal stand.

Charles Clark (Virginia Beach, Va.), Men s 200 meters, semifinals

My goal was to go out there, run hard and make it to the finals. It’s an honor to be here to represent the USA. I take pride in that.

Allyson, Felix (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt good. I wanted to come out and focus on the start and control the race from there. I want a personal best. I’d love to defend my title here in this stadium. That would definitely be special.

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I ran more in control. I got some sleep. I’m just taking a day at a time. I want to be in control of my race. I don’t want to mess up.

Marshevet Hooker (Pflugerville, Texas), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I felt really good. I worked really hard. I didn’t know if I was going to see anybody. (Running in Lane It was the first time I have ever run in Lane 8. My main goal was not to see anybody. Now I know I can do it. It’s one more thing to add to the resume.

Charonda Williams (Richmond, Calif.), Women’s 200 meter, first round

I have been waiting for this. Now it’s finally here. I just have to run the rounds. My race went pretty well. I was racing just to make it to the next round, which I have accomplished. I ran relaxed and good. I like my start. I was very aggressive there.

Jarred Rome (Chula Vista, Calif.), Men’s Discus

I felt great yesterday. My legs felt great. My technique felt good. Everything felt good. Then today, nothing felt good. I couldn’t even hit one throw. I had high expectations and I don’t even know what happened.

Damu Cherry (Winter Garden, Fla.), Women’s 100 hurdles, semifinals

If I’m supposed to be in the final, I will be there. If not, I gave it my best effort.

Lionel Larry (Compton, California), Men’s 400 meters

It was a lot better than the last time I came to the world championships, when I didn’t finish. I can walk away with some dignity in my head so I can’t be too mad.

LaShawn Merritt (Suffolk, Virginia), Men’s 400 meters

I set it up real good. I had a great race. I wanted to come out today and set the bar. I wanted to set the tone today.

I moved a little bit harder than I did yesterday, and that’s what makes my times drop. I’m the type of person that thrives off adrenaline, considering the crowd is great and the track is great.

I didn’t run as hard as I could have, as I wanted to save a little bit for the final on Friday. People are ready to come and run hard–this is the biggest competition of this year.

I’m expecting a win–it’s not really a time. What it takes to win is what I’m gonna run.

Jeremy Wariner (Waco, Texas), Men’s 400 meters

It was real good.

**Beginning tomorrow, quotes will be posted LIVE to www.usatf.org in the evening sessions, updating periodically throughout the competition.

Day 4 evening quotes, 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships

Sanya Richards (Austin, Texas), Women’s 400 meters gold medalist

First, it feels so great to finally hear that I am a world champion. It’s an overwhelming experience. I really enjoy to competing here in Berlin. I have only good memories. And now I can say my first title was on the blue track in a world leading time. So, I’m really, really happy.

(Expectations or extra pressure?) I did in the past, that’s what I wanted to shed this year. This year, I was having a really good time. The rounds went exactly as I hoped. Today, I came out and had fun. I was really confident in my race and my race strategy. I enjoyed every step around the track today. I’m just really thrilled to be a world champion. I can’t say I’m glad to have waited this long. I would have loved to win in the Olympics and prior World Championships. I definitely think you to learn things to grow. I’ve been through a lot and I learned a lot. I feel like I’m a much better athlete because of it.

I’m happy it came in 2009 and hopefully this will be the start of a lot more titles to come. I did go out well in the Olympics. I don’t think the first 200 was the reason I lost the Olympic final. Today, my today split was 23.0, almost the same pace as the Olympics. It’s just control.

I’m in much better shape this season. Shericka (Williams) and Antonina (Krivoshapka) went out really fast. I think all of us went 23.0 flat. It was a really fast race. That’s what you expect at a major championship. Everyone is running their best race. I was really comfortable with my strategy. I felt really strong. I worked the curve as best as I could. Once I pulled up on Shericka and made my move, I just hoped I could hold her off.

Debbie Dunn (Norfolk, Va.), 6th in Women’s 400 meters

(On starting in Lane 1): It’s not fun for the 400. But a lot of people would kill to have Lane 1 today. I did and I was very happy to have the chance to run the final. I thought it was a good race. I feel like I should have made a lot more impact. Unfortunately, I didn’t. I wish I had a better lane. I think I would have made an impact. I have to settle for what I did today. I’m very honored and proud to represent the U.S. Next year is going to get even better. I’m looking forward to the years to come. I’m happy for Sanya. We are going to go for the gold in the 4 x 400.

Bershawn Jackson (Champaign, Illinois), Men’s 400 hurdles bronze medalist

I executed a real good race. Those guys went out so hard. I give them the praises–they were the better men.

I wasn’t surprised that it went out as fast as it did.

I’m a warrior and I’m a fighter, and I’ll be back.

Kerron Clement (Gainesville, Florida), Men’s 400 hurdles gold medalist

My plan all along was to defend my title, and there was no way anyone was going to take that away from me. My race plan was to go out fast. I knew that once I went out hard, that no one was going to keep up with me for the last 150, and once I got over the last hurdle, it was mine.

Rachel Yurkovich (Eugene, Oregon), Women’s javelin

I felt pretty good in warmups. I just wasn’t throwing well

It’s kind of hard to get into a groove when the competition’s stopped for a ceremony or races, but that’s no excuse. I tried to go into it with a positive attitude, and on my last throw I had nothing to lose. I tried to be happy and go out there and (do it).

I was just thrilled to have made it this far. I’m happy to be here.

Dawn Harper (Los Angeles), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was a good race. It went nice and smooth, exactly how my coach wanted me to do it. It was nice and smooth over the top of the hurdles. I’m exacted about that. It gives me confidence going into tomorrow. (On being assigned lane 1) I appreciated that because Lane 1, Heat 1, No. 1. Can anybody see that?

Damu Cherry (Winter Garden, Fla.), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was a good opener. I wanted to work on a little part of my race. I did. It wasn’t great, but it can get better for tomorrow. The false starts were a bit nerve-wracking. But I told myself to stay focused and concentrate on my lane.

Ginnie Powell (Los Angeles), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

It was clean. I hit one hurdle. But it was a good race. I was looking to actually work on my trail leg. I hit a hurdle with it, probably because I slowed up a bit. You can’t do that in the hurdles. But it’s the first round and that’s why I slowed up.

Michelle Perry (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Women’s 100-meter hurdles

I’m injured. I have a torn LCL. I have to have surgery on it. It happened in Monaco.

Charles Clark (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Men’s 200 meters

I thought I was pushing for a third place finish, so I’ll have to wait and see if I make the semi-finals. It’s been a great season so far, so I can’t complain.

Wallace Spearmon, Jr. (College Station, Texas), Men’s 200 meters

The race seemed pretty easy tonight. I didn’t want to expend any more energy than I had to, because I know that in the finals, I’m going to need all of it.

As long as I was in the top two, that’s all that matters, so that I can get one of the preferred lanes.

I did take a peek at the big screen to see where I was at and to make sure no one would sneak up on me. I didn’t want to see anyone come up and pass me.

(on what it’s going to take to beat Usain Bolt)–Run faster! He’s running like he’s from Mars or wherever Flash is from.

Sheena Tosta (San Diego, California), Women’s 400 hurdles

I don’t know what happened. I did what I wanted to do over the first 8 hurdles I tried to go, but I couldn’t go.

Tiffany Williams (Orlando, Florida), Women’s 400 hurdles

Technically, it was a great race. It was much better than my first round. I was thinking about staying relaxed, but I probably got a little too relaxed. But, I did make the final, and that’s all that counts. I’m excited, and very grateful to be in this final. I have a day to rest, and I just have to get that second half of the race down.

I have to attack the critical zone a lot harder. It’s going to take 53-low or 52-high to get a medal.

Lashinda Demus (Palmdale, California), Women’s 400 hurdles

I wanted to run good through the 300m mark, and I did that tonight. I just practiced on my race for the finals. I’m gonna put it together and have a good race.

I’m the underdog–I’m not the Olympic champion

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