Day 2 Team USA Quotes – evening session

Men's 100m final:
Walter Dix (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.): "It was the greatest race ever. I couldn't be more satisfied. I came out there and medaled. He broke the world record, can't say much more. I didn't start the way I wanted to, but I came on strong at the end. I've got a couple of things to work on."

Darvis Patton (Ft. Worth, Texas): I'm just happy to be in the final. I'm blessed and I'm still satisfied. I wasn't expected to make the team and I made the final.

Heptathlon

Hyleas Fountain (Dayton, Ohio): "I was so emotional. This is something I've been dreaming of my entire life.

I have never had that happen to me before (fouling her first two attempts in the long jump). I just calmed myself down and took my last jump."

Men's 100m semifinals

Tyson Gay (Lexington, Ky.): "Toward the finish line I couldn't tell if I made it to the finals or not. I looked up there and realized I didn't. It was kind of devastating. I may have needed more races, but I don't really have any excuses. I just didn't make it. My hamstring feels good, it's not bothering me. I wasn't too overwhelmed with it being the Olympics. It just was one of those things that happened. Maybe I could have used some more training or more races. I kept trying to get my rhythm through each round. I thought I had a better start than I had the first two rounds. I pretty much ran hard through the finish line. I'm pretty upset. When I get back to the Village, it's really probably going to set in. My family is here, everyone at home is supporting me, and I just feel I let them down a little bit. But at the same time, I did my best and everyone knows I did.

When you race in the Olympics and the Trials, you peak your body two times. I was prepared to peak my body twice, but the injury set me back three or four weeks. It's (the hamstring) healthy, 100 percent. It's obvious that my fitness is not there. My legs were behind me a little bit (back kick), I think my mechanics weren't where I wanted them to be. I think I just ran out of time. I was getting better and feeling more comfortable each round, it just didn't come together. Definitely I'm interested in running the relay.

On coming back from the injury: "Three weeks, four weeks off because of the injury after running 9.7, 9.6 … it was just a back and forth battle, reversing the negativity in my mind. It was very difficult. At the same time, I felt good. I was comfortable and relaxed. I felt I got a good start. I couldn't really feel anybody and I got tight a little bit because I was trying to make it to the final and I really couldn't see anybody (running in lane 9). Then I relaxed a little.

On Dix and Patton in the final: "I think they can do very well. Walter is a young guy, very fearless, and Darvis is the same way. I'm proud of both of them. They both deserve it."

Women's shot put final

Jillian Camarena (Tempe, Ariz.): "It was awesome to be here. To be here after having back surgery three months ago, I'm ecstatic. And to make the final was just awesome. I've been having a great time."

Michelle Carter (Ovilla, Texas): I'm happy with my performance. I feel I could have done better. This is my first Olympics. I can get stronger. I don't have a long way to go. Next year, I think I'll be able to compete for the finals.

Women's 100m quarterfinals

Torri Edwards (Irvine, Calif.): "I feel very good, better than the first round. There are a lot of girls running fast and still holding back. I had a good start. It was an easy day. I'm glad I'm in there."

Lauryn Williams (Miami, Fla.): "I don't think I completed my start the way my coach wanted me to. I'm really excited that I could run the Belgian girl down. I think this will be the best Games ever for the men's and women's 100."

Muna Lee (College Station, Texas): "As long as I'm in there, it doesn't matter. I had a good start and I'm happy about that. People are holding back. It's only the second round. Nobody is giving their all."

Men's 400m hurdles semifinals

Bershawn Jackson (Raleigh, N.C.): "I was pretty relaxed. Two down and one to go. We have a strong chance at an Olympic sweep."

Kerron Clement (Los Angeles, Calif.): "It felt good. I just lost focus on the last hurdle. I'm really pleased the other guys made it through. Anything can happen. I feel confident the U.S. can go 1-2-3."

Angelo Taylor (Decatur, Ga.): "We planned to come 1-2 in that race. I think we can sweep the final."

Men's long jump qualifying

Trevell Quinley (Chula Vista, Calif.): "It didn't' go well. I'm not satisfied that I just participated. I had two fouls and was way too conservative in my last jump."

Miguel Pate (St. Francisville, La.): "I'm upset. I couldn't get on the board."

Brian Johnson (Baton Rouge, La.): "it just didn't go my way. I didn't feel like I was having a hard time. I felt fresh. I just couldn't put it together."

Vicky Oddi
Communications Coordinator
Vicky.Oddi@usatf.org