Posted: March 7, 2006

Athletics: "Be A Champion" debuts in Moscow

MOSCOW, Russia - USA Track & Field's "Be A Champion" program made it's debut in Russia Tuesday as Team USA star athletes brought the program's message of living a clean and productive life to a group of Russian school children

The event, which was arranged by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and USA Track & Field, featured reigning World Outdoor women's 100m champion Lauryn Williams, 2005 USA Indoor women's 400m champion Sanya Richards and 2005 World Outdoor Championships 200m silver medalist Wallace Spearman. The athletes met with the children following their practice session Tuesday in advance of the 2006 World Indoor Track & Field Championships March 10-12 in Moscow.

The "Be A Champion" program provides Team USA star athletes the opportunity to speak at local schools about the importance of fitness, a healthy lifestyle, living with integrity - including a drug-free life - and setting goals. To date, thousands of children have been reached in person through "Be A Champion," with more than a million being exposed to the program through television messaging.

"It was amazing," said Sanya Richards. "The kids were great and we could really feel how enthusiastic and happy they were to see us. They were very interactive and asked a lot of questions. There was one girl who followed me around the whole time and told me I was her idol. She said she was a quarter-miler and she kept asking me for tips. There were about 50-70 kids ranging in age from 13-20, and they were great!

"I had a great time and those kids gave me a real feel for the Russian community and what it's like to be here," said Lauryn Williams. "The kids were very genuine and well educated and there was a nice enthusiasm throughout the room. It was a wonderful opportunity."

"We do the "Be A Champion" program back in the United States and I guess it was a little different today," said Wallace Spearmon. "It's still the same goal of talking to young people and getting them started and motivated early and they seemed pretty happy to have us here. They were pretty energetic and happy to see us. I wanted to tell them that if they ever have a dream that they should never give up on it and do whatever it takes. Everything you do, if you really want to make it at something, you have to dedicate your life to that goal. It was fun and we got the message across, and that's all that counts"

The following is a Q&A with Williams, Richards and Spearmon.

LAURYN WILLIAMS

Q: Could you talk about your 2006 indoor season?

A: I'm definitely looking for better things. I've set my goals pretty high and haven't really achieved any of my goals. One was to set a new PR (personal record) at every meet and I've pretty much done that at every one except for one meet, so I can't complain with how it's going, but it could have gone better.

Q: You've had some good battles with your teammate Lisa Barber on the indoor circuit this year. Are you looking for that to continue here, and do you think you two will stand on top of the podium this weekend?

A: Definitely. 1-2 for the Americans.

Q: Last year in winning the world 100m title, was has that done for your confidence, and how have you changed since Helsinki?

A: I guess it builds your confidence to a certain standpoint and it legitimizes you to yourself, but at the same time it doesn't make you cocky or anything like that. It doesn't make me feel like I'm better or more deserving of anything than anyone else. On the other side, I haven't won a race all year and there's a lot of competition out there and people are running fast. I wasn't dominant last year and that was my main goal this year, so I have a lot to work towards although I am the world champion.

Q: To that end, your more the hunted rather than being one of the hunters these days. Does that change your approach to training and competing?

A: It keep you motivated knowing that people are coming for you and they want that same title that you have now. Despite the fact that I haven't won races lately, I'm training to win races and that's what I'm getting on the line to do every time.

Q: How are you feeling physically right now?

A: Pretty good, I can't complain. It's been the best, knock on wood, so far that I've adjusted to jet lag because I usually get it pretty bad. Hopefully I'll be feeling as good today on Friday.

Q: How are the accommodations here for Team USA?

A: The hotel is like an amusement park. I've never seen a hotel with a bowling alley in it before. There's a casino and lots of things going on. I haven't been out to see the sites yet but maybe I can report on that later. SANYA WILLIAMS

Q: Could you talk about your indoor season up to this point?

A: My indoor season has gone well. I was hoping to have one more indoor meet before coming here because the season is so short. I'm looking forward to running well here. I'm excited to be in Russia and hopefully I'll have a great showing here.

Q: Winning the U.S. Indoor title in Boston a few days back is a nice way for you to start your year. What are your thoughts about it?

A: It was real exciting for me, it being my first U.S. Indoor title and I'm excited about that. It was a great way to start my season and now I'm here to run against the best women in the world and I know they're ready to run fast in the 400, so I'll need to see where I'm at.

Q: You took over the Visa Championship Series lead with your win in Boston before Lisa Barber took it back from you in winning the 60m title at the end of the meet. What was that like?

A: I know how it is when you know what you need to do as a competitor and then you go and get it done. I was hoping Lisa would win running 7.07, but she ran 7.06 to win and I thought that was amazing. I congratulated her afterwards and I won it outdoors last year, so I know what it's like to win and I'm excited that she had a chance to win it.

Q: How are you physically coming into this week?

A: I feel good. I went to the practice track today and got a warm-up in and it felt good. I'm looking forward to getting on the real track that we're going to compete on tomorrow.

Q: You're facing some tough competition here in Moscow, what's your outlook on that?

A: The Russians are going to be tough. They're at home and they are ready to run fast. It's always about great competition and I'm looking forward to being at my best.

Q: How confident are you with the U.S. 4x400m relay team that will compete here?

A: I think it's going to be good. I know the Russians broke the world record so they will be tough. We'll have to put together a good team and hopefully everyone will get excited and race at our best.

Q: How are the accommodations here for you and your teammates?

A: I think it's great! The atmosphere is awesome. The casino, the bowling alley and everything else is self-contained so we can all just stay here and have fun. We had police escorts to the track for our practice today and so far everything has been running smoothly.

WALLACE SPEARMON

Q: What's it been like for you placing so much focus on the 400 meters this indoor season?

A: Since this is kind of an off year and the Golden League features the 400 and not the 200 so you gotta take a shot at it and try it.

Q: How much have you run the 400 prior to this year?

A: Let's just put like this, my outdoor PR is 50-point (laughter).

Q: What was it like for you to go to Boston and end up qualifying for this team?

A: It was a great accomplishment for me since that was my first real test running the 400. I ended up getting fourth, which I'm not used to doing in the 200 aside from outdoor worlds, but it was a great adjustment and now I've made it on this team with all these great athletes.

Q: How have you had to train your training to improve so much in the 400?

A: I'm not doing quite as much speed work so that's way different. It's like going through the off-season for the first time again. I've been running a little longer with a slower pace. It's been kind of rough on my body, but I'm starting to get used to it. As far as my 200 is concerned, I don't feel like I'm where I was last year, but my coach let me know that it's still there and that we just haven't worked on it.

Q: Are you looking forward to concentrating on the 200 again?

A: Last year every time I stepped on the track I was ready to run fast, this year my coach tells me that I need to save those up because as you get older it will start to wear and tear on your body. I'm starting to learn the game I guess.

Q: How will last year's success contribute to you going forward this year and beyond?

A: A big part of my success is being with coach (Lance) Brauman and training with Tyson Gay, Veronica Campbell, Omar Brown. They're a great group and they get me ready to go. We put a lot of pressure on one another and that makes each competition we enter seem like just another day at practice.

Q: What are your goals in the 200 this year?

A: I'm going to be running more 400s so I really couldn't tell you what's going to happen this year. I really couldn't even tell you what my schedule is going to be like.

Q: Does it concern you to be running so many 400s along the competing in the 200?

A: I'm ready. I ran about 12 events at every high school meet so it's kind of getting back to my roots of running more than one event. That's what I like to do. It's my comfort zone.

For more information on Team USA at the 2006 World Indoor Championships, visit USATF.org

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