Eugene Diary: Part 2, Press Conference

Press Pass

The last time I was in Portland, it rained for a week straight and was about 40 degrees. This was in late March. Today as I drove from Portland to Eugene, It was 75 degrees and sunny. Beautiful weather for a track meet. It took about 2 hours down the I-5 and I got to the Valley River Inn just as the questions with the individual athletes were starting. I don't really know the etiquette on how to interview an athlete, so I mostly just held out my recorder and took a few photos.

I did hear some interesting information from the athletes and will post mp3's up here when I chop it up later tonight or tomorrow morning. Here are some nuggets that I got.

Bernard Lagat: Going for American Record in the 2-Mile tomorrow. Aiming for 8:06, with a 4:04 first mile and a 4:02 second mile. Running the 5000 in New York, then the 2000 at Hicham El-Guerrouj's meet before taking aim at a very fast 5000 in Monaco.

Andrew Wheating: May double in the 800 and 1500 at the US Championships in a few weeks.

David Oliver: Not worried about Shanghai. Every race is a new one and he's ready to bring it against Liu Xiang tomorrow

And here are some photos I took:

10k start list

Press back drop

Oscar Pistorius (aka Blade Runner) 

Entrance to Press Conference

Bernard Lagat chatting with Lewis Johnson

Liu Xiang and the Chinese press

Nike gear for the athletes

David Oliver and the British press 

Andrew Wheating and a local TV station

Amy Yoder-Begley stopped by as well

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