by Larry EderAries Merritt is the World Record holder at 110 meter hurdles, as well as 2012 World Indoor Champion and 2012 Olympic champion. The only global champs that has eluded this fine athlete is the World Outdoors.
Aries Merritt, Photo by PhotoRun.net
Aries told me last winter that he races better with lots of racing. When he began his quest back from kidney transplant surgery in 2015, he knew the road would be hard. Aries nearly made the Olympic team in 2016, placing fourth in the U.S. Trials. In 2017, Aries was in medal contention in London until the very last hurdle, where he put pressure on himself and hit the hurdle.
Aries Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.net
Already racing well in 2017, Aries is at the Millrose Games to hone his racing skills, his rythm over the hurdles, and of course, to win. Aries Merritt does like to win. Here’s a short interview, thanks to Media Manager Nick Nicholas of the NYRR Millrose Games with our esteemed hurdler.
The 111th NYRR Millrose Games can be seen on USATF.TV from 11:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday and will be televised live by NBC from 4-6 p.m. There also is the USATF Cool Down show beginning at 6 p.m.
Go to NYRRMillroseGames.org to learn more about the NYRR Millrose Games and to purchase tickets to the Saturday, February 3, 2018meet.
To read the interview, please look below!
1. About what he would be doing if not an athlete what would he do?
Aries Merritt: ” If I wasn’t an athlete I’d definitely be a coach because I feel like I have a lot to give back and a lot of experience at a high level. I would love to share my experience with other athletes who aspire to do the same thing.”
2. About advice he would give to young kids starting out.
Aries Merritt: “I would tell them to stay focused and keep their eyes on the prize. You’re not going to always win every race and you’re not going to be No. 1. There are a lot of ups and downs in this sport, but if you stay focused and keep on course you’ll get to the top.”
