Photo Finish picture Montgomery World Record (© Seiko)
Tim Montgomery (USA)
Winner of the Men’s 100m in a new World Record of 9.78 and of the Overall Grand Prix Title
“You know; World Records always happen when you expect them the least. The weather was quite cool today like when I ran 9.84 in Oslo. I didn’t know I would be able to break the World Record during the warm up. This is the end of a great season for me, I knew I was in great shape and today everything was just perfect. The wind was perfect (2.0), my reaction time was almost perfect (0.104), but that is what you need to break World Records. I only realized I had done something special after finishing when my coach ran towards me on the track and lifted me up in the air. After the women’s race which was won in a very fast time, I was kind of eager to run. I knew the race would be fast, I just wanted to get there and run. I had no time objective today, I just wanted to beat Dwain Chambers. But I took my focus off Dwain to concentrate better. I decided to focus on Coby Miller and tried to get the better start possible. At 30m, I saw no-one was around me so I kept digging down as deep as possible. And from then on I kept running and running and running. I knew I could break the World Record ever since I ran 9.96 at the age of 19 when I had no muscles, no training and no technique. I didn’t know when, but I knew I eventually would do it. There is no limit for the record: World Records are meant to be broken and I am sure they will all be. Maybe all expect Michael Johnson’s 19.32!”
On Hicham El Guerrouj
“I have a lot of respect for Hicham El Guerrouj. I was part of the American relay team in 1996 when Hicham fell in the 1500m Olympic final and I saw him lying on the track and crying. I asked myself why he was crying. Ever since I followed his career and witnessed what an exceptional athlete he is. From that day on, I never wanted to see him cry ever again.”
Hicham EL Guerrouj (MAR)
Winner of the men’s 1500M in 3:29.27 but only second in the IAAF Grand Prix Standings
“These things happen in sport. I am an athlete and I like the sport for all it can offer including surprises. What Tim achieved today is exceptional, I take my hat off. No-one, including me, had ever thought of the possibility of him winning the Standings, so after Felix and I had run I thought I had got it. But I am happy that the sport offers such great moments. If I had lost a World Champions or the Olympic Games, yes I would have been disappointed but today I am just happy for Tim. If the IAAF was to give me the trophy of the Best Athlete of the Year I would have to pass it on to him for what he has done is fantastic. This will not spoil my birthday today. I will still celebrate with some of my closest friends in a Moroccan restaurant and take my mind off athletics.”
Marion Jones (USA)
Winner of the women’s 100m in 10.88 and winner of the IAAF Overall Grand Prix Standings
“Today I am extremely happy for Tim Montgomery. I see him training every day, day after day in Raleigh. I see the time and efforts he puts into training, the way he dissects each of his races. I know how he talks over and over about his training session and about what technical part of the race he improved. Tim Montgomery is a technician and today, like every one else in the world I am in awe of him. This is the first time I saw a 100m World Record being beaten LIVE. Today we should all celebrate something incredible.”
Dwain Chambers (GBR)
Second in the Men’s 100m in an European record of 9.87 (equalled)
“I may have equalled the European record today but still, I have lost the race. I am disappointed I didn’t win. Times are somehow irrelevant to me, what I want is to win races. I don’t like finishing second! I am pleased with the record, yes, but my main feeling at this moment is disappointment for not having been able to beat Montgomery. I have had a great season this year but have also learnt a lot for the future. I will rest more between races, this has been the first year I have been faced to this type of race where very Friday you have to come out and be at your very best. If you want to know the whole truth, today I wanted to have the $50,000 dollars in my pocket! I am traumatized by what Tim did, completely traumatized. But I will be back.”
Felix Sanchez (DOM)
Winner of the men’s 400m hurdles in 47.62
Just after his 400m Hurdles
“The public was extraordinary today, Stéphane Diagana has been extraordinary and my time is much faster than I expected. The race also was much harder than expected, the wind was blowing very hard on the back straight and it made me mess up my stride. I am happy though and will get ready for the 400m flat in one hour and a half.”
After his 400m where he finished 5th in 45.25
“Despite my loss I am still a happy man today. Of course, I am a bit disappointed with the way I ran the 400m flat. I didn’t go out as fast as I should have done. I thought one and a half hour rest between the two races wouldn’t be enough but it was more than enough. I felt like I had still a lot left in my legs. My time in the Hurdles was superb today. I am still undefeated in that event. I can say 2002 has been a Dream season for me. I will definitely not double at next year’s World Championships. I will concentrate on the Hurdles and try as hard as possible to defend my World title.”
Gail Devers (USA)
Winner of the women’s 100m Hurdles in 12.51
“This has been the longest season ever in my career but still a very good season for me. I have been saying since the beginning of the year that what mattered the most was being consistent and I have been pretty much consistent around 12.4/12.5. Wins and losses haven’t been that important, I have made mistakes and as long as I can learn from my mistakes then all the wins and the losses become valuable experience. This was the first year I have been training by myself, so I believe I can be satisfied.”
