2012 US Open, Press Conf, 1/27/12: Jesse Williams, David Oliver, LoLo Jones, Kellie Wells, Bernard Lagat, release, note by Larry Eder

Jesse Williams, 2011 WC gold medalist, photo by PhotoRun.net

Jesse Williams admits that last summer’s non-stop series of competitions prepared him for the World Champs. Now, Jesse wants a record. RBR predicts a new indoor AR from Mr. Williams.

David Oliver, 2008 Beijing, photo by PhotoRun.net

David Oliver is one of the best hurdlers in the world. His second half of 2011 was hampered by an injury, demystified by a fellow athlete’s physio. Now healthy, and focused, David is looking to a fast indoor season and London 2012.

LoLo Jones, 2010 Aviva Gateshead, photo by PhotoRun.net

LoLo Jones is the 2008 & 2010 World Indoor Champion at the 60m hurdles. Last summer, she had back surgery to repair a birth defect. Training well, pain free, and focused, LoLo knows that she can be at the top of her event if she stays focused on her event. She wants to run well at US Open.

Kellie Wells, photo by PhotoRun.net

Kellie Wells is 2011 US 100m hurdle champion. She has now won a championship and also run in the world championships, missing out on a medal. ” Things happen,” noted Kellie. She is training well and wants to get to the top of the most competitive event on the Women’s USA Track & Field roster. A tough hurdles race at US Open. Kellie is ready!

Bernard Lagat, Fifth Ave Mile, photo by PhotoRun.net

“I learnt much last season. I had two week of training in Kenya at my parents home, in December, when I went over for my brothers wedding. I am one of ten. I am focused on the 5,000meters this year and will keep myself out of the boxes that did not let me use my speed best last year.” Bernard is running the mile, 5,000m and 3,000m this indoor season. He is just a wonderful athlete at the top of his game. A class act in a great sport!

The U.S. Open begins at 7:00 p.m. The complete Schedule of Events is at http://usopen.usatf.org/Schedule.aspx.

Timing for Key Events (subject
to change)

7:20 p.m.            Men’s
High Jump

8:35 p.m.            Men’s
Mile

9:25 p.m.            Women’s
50m Hurdles

9:35 p.m.            Men’s
50m Hurdles

9:45 p.m.            Women’s
50m Dash

9:55 p.m.            Men’s
50m Dash

The U.S. Open will be televised on
Sunday, January 29, from 7-9 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2. Tickets, starting
as low as $15, are available at the MSG Box Office (212.465.6073), Ticketmaster
charge (866.858.0008), all Ticketmaster outlets and via thegarden.com/usopen.

Jesse Williams
On his 2011 season
“Last year was an unbelievable year. I’m looking forward to starting
the year at Madison Square Garden. I never want to feel failure. Time
and time again I have been in a good spot.”

On competition
“Especially in the Diamond League it will help me to prepare. Nine of
the 12 finalists (at the World Outdoor Championships) were those I was
competing with in the Diamond League. When you see the same guys you
know what it is going to be like. It’s a big advantage to have.”

David Oliver
On his 2011 season and his plans for the indoor season
“2011 was not what I expected. I didn’t get it done in 2011. I
accomplished a few goals but not all of them. I will be (at the U.S.
Open), next week (at the Boston Indoor Games) and at the USA
Championships in a few weeks.”

On his injury from 2011
“I had a problem with my lead leg. It was the type of injury hurdlers
kind of get. I talked to Allen (Johnson) and he had it when he was 27 or
28. I ran my last race and got on a rehab program for about six weeks.
I’m just looking to stay healthy this year. “

On competing at the World Indoor Championships
“First you have to go to the USA Championships and get in the top two.
It will be a goal of mine. Right now I’m just trying to focus on this
weekend.”

On racing in the 50 meter hurdles
“It doesn’t affect my approach. I approach it the same. I just need to
focus on what I need to get done and having a good start. I put pressure
on myself to get a good start. Coming here is about supporting USATF
and the U.S. Open and the respect for running in Garden.

Lolo Jones
On her 2011 injury
“I had back surgery. I decided to shut it down after USA Outdoors. We
were struggling with the injury all year. We thought, ‘what is the point
of going to Europe to salvage a season that was basically
unsalvageable.’ If I wasn’t an elite athlete it wouldn’t have been
noticed until I was 40. It was a surgery to repair my spinal cord. The
nerve in my spine won’t be healed until World Indoors. It was a normal
procedure. The rehab has been kicking my butt and super intense. After
surgery I couldn’t do anything for a month. My first goal was to walk
for 20 minutes. It’s crazy how rehab is toning up everything and making
it come together.”

Kellie Wells
On her 2012 season
“I’m so excited to be here. I went through 2011 learning myself as an
athlete and now I’m going to 2012 with a lot of confidence. America has
such a good group of hurdlers. We welcome everything. My goal is to stay
healthy and work on things.”

On the difference of running the 50m hurdles
“It doesn’t change. The hurdles don’t get any higher or any further
away. I don’t know when the last time a 50m hurdle race was competed.

Bernard Lagat
On competing in New York and his 2012 season
“I am really happy to be here. I’m happy to be back in New York City.
It’s always a good trip when I come. I have been training well since
November. Coming down here I’m ready to take on the challenge. I’m going
to concentrate on the 1,500m and 5,000m. 1,500m is an event I like but
am doing that to get ready to race the 5,000m. I want to keep working on
my speed.”