COSTA RICA- ATHLETICS: Fresh from world championship victory, 400-metre-sprinter Nery Brenes gives Costa Ricans a reason to dream for glory at the London Olympics.

Record ID: 330752

  • Title: COSTA RICA- ATHLETICS: Fresh from world championship victory, 400-metre-sprinter Nery Brenes gives Costa Ricans a reason to dream for glory at the London Olympics.
  • Date: 23rd May 2012
  • Summary: SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (RECENT) (REUTERS) COSTA RICA STADIUM VARIOUS OF ATHLETE NERY BRENES PUTTING ON SHOES FOR TRAINING BRENES TRAINING ON TRACK WITH OTHER ATHLETES VARIOUS OF BRENES RESTING ON SIDE OF TRACK WITH OTHER ATHLETES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ATHLETE NERY BRENES, SAYING: "In 2008 I had a very good year, the best in my career. In 2009 I injured myself exactly one week before participating in the world (championship) in Berlin. And all my sponsors left me, it was an act of backstabbing. I had to keep on working and it was because of the few people that believed in me." VARIOUS OF BRENES DURING TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ATHLETE NERY BRENES, SAYING: "The clearest thing is to run the track the best way, conserving energy until the end, this is the most important thing. We don't want to promise something that is not realistic because this falls on the critics amongst us. Run the track and prepare for a possible final." VARIOUS OF BRENES ON TRACK DURING TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) NERY BRENES' TRAINER, WALTER SALAZAR, SAYING: "It's part of the process. The olympics is an important competition in the development of a sportsman's career, you can't lose sight. This year we started of very well, we won the world championship and ended last year at the Pan American Games. Definitely he (Brenes) is close to his best competitive years and we are preparing for the best form for the Olympics which is an important commitment but it is not the only run this year." PLAQUE TO BRENES HANGING ON WALL NEXT TO BRENES CARICATURE VARIOUS OF BRENES HOLDING UP GOLD MEDAL FROM 2011 PAN AMERICAN GAMES TO CAMERAMAN VARIOUS OF BRENES HOLDING UP GOLD MEDAL FROM 2012 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VARIOUS OF BRENES PLAYING VIDEO GAME WITH FAMILY MEMBER VARIOUS OF BRENES PREPARING DINNER WITH WIFE IN KITCHEN CARICATURE OF BRENES BRENES WITH SON
  • Embargoed: 7th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Costa Rica
  • Country: Costa Rica
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABVVV5GSSVPCQSBZCB88GA8RBO
  • Story Text: Costa Rican sprinter Nery Brenes is burning up the track with a heavy training schedule ahead of July's Olympics in London.
    The 400-metre sprinter is running on a high after having nabbed recent gold medals in Guadalajara's 2011 Pan American games and Istanbul's indoor athletics championship earlier this year where he set a new national and championship record.
    With his career looking up, the 26-year-old's rise to the top was years in the making and followed career low-points that saw Brenes abandoned by sponsors and supporters following injury.
    Proving his critics wrong, the young sprinter persevered.
    "In 2008 I had a very good year, the best in my career. In 2009 I injured myself exactly one week before participating in the world (championship) in Berlin. And all my sponsors left me, it was an act of backstabbing. I had to keep on working and it was because of the few people that believed in me," he said.
    Having reached the 400 metre sprint finals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Brenes came just short of taking a medal home.
    Now in top condition and poised for a second shot of Olympic fame in London, the humble athlete stopped short of predicting victory in the 2012 games.
    "The clearest thing is to run the track the best way, conserving energy until the end, this is the most important thing. We don't want to promise something that is not realistic because this falls on the critics amongst us. Run the track and prepare for a possible final," a humble Brenes told Reuters.
    His trainer, Walter Salazar, said that the young sprinter recent successes have kept him in good stride for the London Olympics but that the competition would not be the end all of his professional year ahead.
    "It's part of the process. The Olympics is an important competition in the development of a sportsman's career, you can't lose sight. This year we started of very well, we won the world championship and ended last year at the Pan American Games. Definitely he (Brenes) is close to his best competitive years and we are preparing for the best form for the Olympics which is an important commitment but it is not the only run this year," said Salazar.
    Proudly showing off previous gold from international sprints in Mexico and Turkey, Brenes is looking to add to his already impressive collection of wins with an Olympic medal.
    Growing up in Costa Rica's impoverished port town of Limon, Nery's rags to riches story has captivated the small Central American nation where thousands of locals are expected to cheer on their home-grown champion as he faces off with the world's best athletes in London.
    The 2012 Olympic Games will take place from July 27 to August 2012.
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