- Title: U.S. athletes aim for records at world championships
- Date: 3rd August 2017
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (AUGUST 3, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.S. ATHLETES ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN FILMING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TRIPLE JUMPER, CHRISTIAN TAYLOR, SAYING: "Myself personally I've wanted the world record from Daegu you know so I'm a little disappointed it hasn't happened yet but every year you know I believe this is my time you know and so it would be very, very sweet to do it on Jonathan's (Jonathan Edwards) soil, you know. I know he's going to be watching. He's giving me some hints and some things that maybe that could help me get to this distance. I've also heard that it's his son's birthday and so I would love to give him this gift. But yes I'm very excited and I think it is possible." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TRIPLE JUMPER, CHRISTIAN TAYLOR, SAYING: "Yes absolutely. I love the 400 (metres), you know. I've done it through high school and had the opportunity to run at University of Florida, I found a way to kind of give them a shout out. But yes, I do need this, you know that is really... that's why I'm here, you know I'm so frustrated to becoming every year shorter, shorter. And I don't take for granted the wins. I love being on top of the podium but now this is the thing that's outstanding, you know. I try to surround myself with world record holders, you know, I try to do everything, you know. They say that these things will... you get that aura, you know and I'm hoping that some things rub off on me but really I would just run with pure joy then, you know, knowing that everything on my bucket list was really ticked off." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SIX-TIMES OLYMPIC CHAMPION, ALLYSON FELIX, SAYING: "And last year; I just kind of take last year as everything kind of went wrong. Nothing really went according to plan but that happens in sport at times and just have to keep fighting and find a way and so I'm trying not to bring any of that into this race and into this year. And just to have a fresh approach, focus on what I need to do and my own goals to defend my title and yes that's really my approach." MEDIA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. 100-METRE SPRINTER, CHRISTIAN COLEMAN, SAYING: "Oh yes. I mean it’s been a long season but I took a little break at the USAs (USA Trials) and I feel pretty good and I'm ready to go now. I just, you know found out about Andre (De Grasse) pulling out now just recently so I wish him the best in his recovery. He was one of the top guys in the field but you know there's other guys who are just as capable of winning so I'm not specifically worried about anybody just worry about myself and trying to go out and execute as much as possible." MEDIA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. 100-METRE SPRINTER, CHRISTIAN COLEMAN, SAYING: "Oh yes, growing up I watched guys like Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Justin Gatlin, you know guys who are, you know, pretty much like all like legend status now. So for me to even have my name up there with those you know type of guys, you know that's a blessing and a humbling feeling but you know I feel like I work hard and I deserve to be on this stage so I'm ready to compete no matter who's on the line, you know. So, I'll be ready." CAMERA OPERATOR AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. 100-METRE SPRINTER, CHRISTIAN COLEMAN, SAYING: "You know, he (Bolt) has done some things that you know 20 years ago not many people were even you know thought could be done. You know, he has the record in the 100 (metres) and the 200 (metres) so he's pretty much like the greatest of all time, you know, right now. So like I said to have my name up there and to, you know, even be in the same conversation it's definitely a blessing but, you know I'll be ready to compete with him." CAMERA OPERATOR AT NEWS CONFERENCE U.S. ATHLETES POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): FELIX, JENNY SIMPSON, TIANNA BARTOLETTA, COLEMAN, TAYLOR AND RYAN CROUSER BARTOLETTA AND COLEMAN POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH
- Embargoed: 17th August 2017 15:12
- Keywords: world championships USA athletics sports London
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Athletics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016SLQON3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The United States athletics team is gearing up for the world championships in London with world records in their sights.
Triple-jumper Christian Taylor said on Thursday (August 3) it would be 'very sweet' to break Jonathan Edwards' 22 year-old world record of 18.29 metres on the Englishman's home turf.
Taylor even joked a record-breaking jump would be a nice 'gift' to Edwards' son, whose birthday is on the same day that the American competes.
Sprinter Christian Coleman will run only the 100 metres at the world championships and said he is 'ready' to compete against Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt, who is due to retire after the championships.
The 21-year-old, who set the fastest time of the year in the 100 by running 9.82 seconds in June, and his coach decided to concentrate on the shorter race after a lengthy collegiate season.
The world championships start on Friday (August 4) at the Olympic Stadium in London. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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