For those of you lucky enough to attend and those of you who watched the broadcast over the weekend, this is not news to you but the 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix served as a great season opener for many elite track and field athletes. Track fans witnessed an exciting show from an American Record in the women’s Pole Vault to a photo finish in the the women’s 800M to a dramatic crash in the men’s Mile.
Gosh Indoor season is getting us more and more excited for what’s to come during the Olympic Trials and London Summer Games season! Packages are still available through Ludus Tours for both, be sure to write or call in soon!
Quotes and a full recap from USATF:
ATHLETE QUOTES
David Oliver (winner men’s 60m hurdles)
“It was not a very good run. I can’t give up segments like that. My first hurdle is completely messed up. But that’s what indoors is for – to train and get a good accounting of myself. I don’t think I did that today. I didn’t execute my start; it’s always a work in progress for me. I understand what the problem is; we’ll get it eventually. That’s what’s cool about running indoors in the U.S. I run a race and get instant feedback from coach. My coach can make adjustments. It’s good for me to run week after week.
“It’s good to win against such a quality field. I’m going to get it done. It’s good to be healthy, running and competing again. I’m glad they have our race in all the U.S. events. I love being on TV so my friends and family can see me and not have to hunt for some live stream from Europe.”
Adam Nelson (winner men’s shot put)
“It feels good. This is still early for me. For me it’s all about building confidence right now. What you try to do is build your confidence early. Sometime this is like getting out of bed in the morning. I have the experience to be able to roll with the punches. The greatest thing about experience is there are few things you haven’t seen before. And the worst part about experiences is there are few things you haven’t seen before. I have been injury free for a year and a half now and my training has been more consistent.”
Kirani James (winner men’s 400m)
“It was a great race. I opened up my season here to see where I’m at. I had a very short fall training. I had great time in the weight room and incorporated my weight training well. I am happy with my opening race. I think the race was exceptional. I just competed to see where I’m at and will make any adjustments. I’m happy with my conditioning and I’m happy with my opening time. My main motive is to go out and compete and represent my country well.”
Maggie Vessey (winner women’s 800m)
“I felt good. I felt we ran an even pace. I thought there was enough room for me to get by. It was hard making moves. Outdoors I have a tendency to move out wide. I was a little surprised I was able to get through. That move definitely wasn’t planned. There was a little bit of space and I just tried to shoot through. I had those first race jitters a bit.
Erica Moore (runner-up women’s 800m)
“I thought I had it. I should have expected (Vessey) to come up like that. My eyes got a little big when I thought I had it won.”
Deedee Trotter (winner women’s 300m)
“This competition was to see where I was. It was a little bumpy. I felt like I was building momentum and then I’d go down. But I was able to pull it out and get there at the last minute. I love it here in Boston; this is my favorite stadium to run in and my favorite crowd.”
Ciaran O’Lionaird (winner men’s mile)
“It is all a learning experience for me. In this you have to be ready for everything. (Mo Farah) showed a lot of character and courage to be able to get up and finish like that. I’m thankful we can go through this uninjured. Anything can happen. I’m the same guy I was a few years ago running 4:15; now I just have better people around me.”
Tirunesh Dibaba (winner women’s 2 mile)
“I feel very happy. I believe I have come through with very little training and I think I have done very well. I’ve been training for two months and just three times on the track. Boston is my second home. ‘Bostonians’ support me. To run here is good for me and I am very much pleased with my performance.”
Meseret Defar (winner women’s 3,000m)
“I’m very pleased with my race. This is my first race indoors. The race was uneven but I have raced well. I was planning to go under 8:30 but it didn’t happen. But I’m very pleased.”
Murielle Ahoure (winner women’s 60m)
“It felt great. I was extremely nervous before the competition. I went out and executed exactly how I’ve been training. I’m extremely happy.”
