Jenn Suhr, photo by PhotoRun.net
This is the quotes update by USATF’s Josh Gurnick on Day 1. It is a tremendous resource, and we thank Josh Gurnick for his help. USATF communication’s job is to help media at such events and we get good content.
Team USATF Athlete Quotes
Paul Chelimo, 5000m, photo by PhotoRun.net
PAUL CHELIMO – The goal was about getting to the final and I think I managed the qualification well. I think it is going to be more about chasing fast time and focus. The final will be fun. Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words.
WILL CLAYE – The track is really fast, so I got scared a bit. I almost fell. But if I fall, I fall. It does not matter. It definitely can be the sector where we can witness a world record. If it comes from Christian or from me or anyone else, we will see. I only have one goal – to win. I do not care about the result that much but the win. I get this self confidence from my training. I know how hard we have worked for this and I am confident I am able to do that.
EMMA COBURN – It felt great to get started. I felt strong, the stadium was loud and the air conditioning was good. I just want to get my preparation started to get ready for Monday. Courtney (Frerichs) and I bonded through that moment (2017 World Championships). We root for one another. We are fierce competitors but we enjoy going on the journey together. It is wonderful to have such a strong team USA in the steeplechase and as a whole. It is great to be part of it.
VASHTI CUNNINGHAM – It feels good to get more experience over the past four years and do better every single time. I am happy to be in a hot place. I live in Vegas, an extremely hot place. Qatar is a beautiful country and I’m happy to be out here when it’s nice and hot. With a nice atmosphere in the stadium, it feels good to come here for the first time. All the World Championships are important. In the last few seasons, I have had injuries that I haven’t really spoken about so it’s really important for me to come back healthy and prove that I am one of the best.
SANDI MORRIS – There are so many good pole vaulters in the field that normally all these girls are able to jump 4.60m on the first attempt in a normal competition. I think this will be the longest final as it has never happened in the history to have 17 women in the final. I hope that the progression will be aggressive in the final – I like when in is 10-15cm up to 4.75m. I usually start at 4.50m. It is about the whole process and I hope I will cope with it well in the final.
Jenn Suhr, photo by PhotoRun.net
JENNIFER SUHR – Qualification is always stressful and to have 16 on the runway. But now we have 17 in the final. I am really glad I got through. Going into the finals I am going to back up my run-up. It is my first time in Doha, I did not know what to expect. I like it very much, I thought ‘I wonder if I can stay a little longer’. I feel good, my legs felt good today. What I did, I did not go home. After the Diamond League I stayed in France, in Clermond-Ferrand. So I did not have that huge adjustment. I am 37 and I cannot handle those adjustments anymore.
RAEVYN ROGERS – It feels good. I am just trying to go one round at a time. I am ready for tomorrow and everything else. The weather is good, not too harsh. It is easy to breathe out there. The track feels good. I ran here in May. I am just looking forward to a great weekend. For the semifinals, I want to execute my race plan. Each race is different so you want to make sure you get through the rounds.
DEANNA PRICE – The practice in the last two weeks has been focused on getting the job done. My coach has been great about that. Now it’s time to get a workout in and get ready for tomorrow. Women’s hammer throwing in the United States has grown so much. It takes 75m to make the team so we look forward to this year and 2020. I have no expectation for tomorrow. It is a different day, a different time, a different feeling. You just need to go out there, set the tone and do your job. That’s what I am here to do.
