Posted: August 16, 2004

Athletics: Olympic Q&A: LaTasha Colander

Olympic Trials 100m champion LaTasha Colander is on the i sl and of Crete for Team USA training camp as she prepares to compete at the 2004 Olympic Games. The 2000 Olympic Trials 400m champion, Colander won a gold medal in 2000 anchoring the U.S. 4x400m relay in Sydney . Colander spoke to the media recently. Below are excerpts of the conversation. For a full bio of Miles-Clark and all Team USA track & field athletes, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicGames/roster_alpha.asp

Q: How are you feeling heading into the Olympics?

A: Since the Olympic Trials, I've been doing really well. My 10.97 has positioned me well with an excellent time going into the Olympic Games. I'm healthy - after the Trials, I took some time to sit down with my coach and medical staff to make sure everything was OK.

Q: Was there a specific injury? You mentioned your achilles at the Olympic Trials.

A: Coming down from the 400 to the 100, I have a little soreness in my achilles. It's better to let it heal. It's a decision I made myself and checked with my coach.

Q: Does this Olympics feel different than when you ran the 400 in 2000?

A: It's the same feeling, it's just on another level. In 2004, I'm more experienced. It's a different event. It's like going to another realm, another level, doing something I've never done before. It's the same thing I did in the 400, trying a new event [Colander had been a hurdler prior to 2000]. This year I'm in a new event. I've trained differently, my body is shaped different.

Q: Why did you decide to run the 100?

A: I was with an excellent sprint coach. I also wanted to see what I could do in the 100 meters. I just wanted to add to my resume.

Q: You're not very big for a sprinter.

A: I've always been tiny. Coming out of college I weighed 98 pounds. I was 115 in the 400, now I'm 130.

Q: What is the best part of your race?

A: The best part of my race is that last 50 meters. I can just turn it over incredibly in that last 50 meters.

Q: Do you feel a little overlooked, with all the talk about Gail and Marion?

A: They're always going to get their props for what they've done. I don't think it's overlooked, I think sometimes you just surprise people. Hopefully they'll notice me now.

Q: How wide open is the women's 100 at the Olympics?

A: This race is open for anyone. My times have positioned me well to be a medal contender, and I'm going to go for the gold.

Q: Talk about the 4x100m relay.

A: The coaches right now are trying to make sure we have the best squad. The way we ran in Munich helped build our confidence, and we're ready. I think we're just connecting really well. Everybody is talking and in one accord. There's no tension, everyone's working well together. It's a fresh, new team. We complement each other and we stay open to how we can better each other and get that baton across the track.

Q: Will your family be here?

A: My whole family is going to be here, traveling from Virginia. My sister [Kris Ross, age 28] is married to [110m hurdler] Duane Ross. He's going to be running the 110m hurdles, so it's going to be a family affair.

Q: Is the 100 easier than the 400?

A: I can't compare the 400 and the 100. My body has changed, my mental outlook has changed. There's nothing easy about running 10.97. You come out of the blocks different, run the race different. The 400, you can't control it. The 100, you have to be in control from the start to the finish. The 400 was more of a rhythm race, with speed and endurance.