Posted: February 8, 2005

Athletics: John Moffitt USATF Teleconference Excerpts

USA Track & Field on Tuesday hosted a teleconference with John Moffitt, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist and NCAA indoor and outdoor champion in the long jump. Moffitt will compete Friday, February 11 at the Powered by Tyson Invitational, the third stop on the Visa Championship Series. Below are excerpts from Tuesday's call.

Q: How has life been since winning the Olympic silver medal in Athens?

A: Life after the Olympic silver medal is great; it's pretty much the same. I go places and some people recognize me, but I'm still the same John. I got back from Athens in August. I took a couple of months off from training and started back in the fall.

Q: 2004 was an eventful year for you. Please tell us about it.

A: It was a long season for me. I was still in school and competing. I went out there at the Olympics and did very well. Deep down inside, me and my coach knew I had a good chance at the medal. We had a game plan, and we stuck with it, and it worked.

Q: The United States once again has several of the world's top long jumpers. How does that affect you?

A: It makes it better. When you see a guy jumping well, you go out and jump better. It's great to have those guys.

Q: Have you ever been to Fayetteville for the Tyson Invitational, what are your impressions?

A: I have been there for the NCAA championships last year. I love the runway. It's nice and bouncy. When I go there, I get good results. [Moffitt jumped 8.17m/26-9.75 to win the 2004 NCAA indoor title in Fayetteville.] I'm hoping to go in there and jump far.

Q: Since you've spent the last four years in college, have you had a chance to get to know the other top pro long jumpers?

A: I really don't know those guys. I was a junior in college when I jumped against [Stringfellow] at the 2003 UDA outdoor championships in California. [Moffitt finished 8th at that meet, with Powered by Tyson Invitational entrants Walter Davis 1st, Savante Stringfellow 3rd and Tony Allmond 7th.]

Q: What do you think about the overall field for the Powered by Tyson Invitational?

A: It should be a real great competition, with all those guys out there. My biggest competition is myself. The other guys are great jumpers, but I look at myself as a great jumper, too.

Q: Do you have any personal goals for Friday?

A: This will be my first meet this year. I just want to go out there compete, have fun and show those guys I can jump. I'm just going to go out and compete to the best of my ability.

For more information on the Visa Championship Series and the Powered by Tyson Invitational, visit www.usatf.org.