- Title: Gatlin and Rudisha continue Olympic preparations at Shanghai Diamond League
- Date: 12th May 2016
- Summary: SHANGHAI, CHINA (MAY 12, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.S. SPRINTER JUSTIN GATLIN TAKING A SEAT NEXT TO OLYMPIC 800-METRE CHAMPION DAVID RUDISHA (RIGHT), AND CHINESE ATHLETES (LEFT) FOR NEWS CONFERENCE GATLIN AND RUDISHA SEATED CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SPRINTER, JUSTIN GATLIN, SAYING: "Everyday has gotten stronger and better. I've been working on it around the clock. So especially while I'm in season, I have to make sure that it's strengthened, but at the same time flexible to be able to run, you know, smoothly. I say if I had to roll my ankle, the best time was to roll it, is in the off-season or fall. So now getting into competition, I just have to worry about keeping my muscles loose and being able to perform well." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SPRINTER, JUSTIN GATLIN, SAYING: "I would say that's more intentional, you know, just to make sure that I'm in top form for the Olympic trials, which is going to be a tough task in front of me. And then also resting and getting ready for the Olympics. So I have two top tasks in front of me, so I don't want to get too burnt out, you know, before the season even kicks off to the important part where l need to be at my top form." PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) OLYMPIC 800-METRE CHAMPION, DAVID RUDISHA, SAYING: "Of course my ultimate aim is to be at the top form in August for Rio Olympics. But tomorrow of course, I'm also looking forward, you know, to improve from my last time in Australia 1:44.7. So I'm looking forward for something like 1:43.5, and maybe perhaps seasonal best will be a good performance for me." CAMERAMAN STANDING NEXT TO CAMERA GATLIN, RUDISHA AND CHINESE ATHLETES POSING FOR PHOTOS GATLIN, RUDISHA AND CHINESE ATHLETES WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 27th May 2016 10:16
- Keywords: China Shanghai athletics USA sprinter Justin Gatlin Davod Rudisha Olympics
- Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA
- City: SHANGHAI, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Athletics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0014HI485B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin and Olympic 800-metre champion David Rudisha attended a news conference on Thursday (May 12) ahead of 2016 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai on Saturday (May 14).
Gatlin, 33, who has twice served bans for doping, said he was recovering from his ankle injury sustained last November as he builds up for the Rio Olympic Games in August.
"Everyday has gotten stronger and better. I've been working on it around the clock," he said.
Gatlin was unbeaten at 100 and 200 metres in 2015 until he was dramatically beaten in both finals at the Beijing World Championships in Beijing last summer by Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica.
The two are expected to head towards a showdown again in Rio.
"I don't want to get too burnt out, you know, before the season even kicks off to the important part where l need to be at my top form," Gatlin told reporters.
Olympic 800-metre champion David Rudisha of Kenya, who competed recently in Australia as part of his build-up to the defence of his title, said he is looking forward to improving his season's time in Shanghai.
"Of course my ultimate aim is to be at the top form in August for Rio Olympics. But tomorrow of course, I'm also looking forward, you know, to improve from my last time in Australia of 1:44.7. So I'm looking forward for something like 1:43.5, and maybe perhaps seasonal best will be a good performance for me," said the Kenyan runner. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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