ROME, 11 July 2003 — Olympic 100 meters champion Maurice Greene was in no mood to relax on the eve of the third Golden League meeting which takes place here today.
“If you go into the race and be aggressive you run 9.9 - if you don’t, and you’re too relaxed, you’re looking at 10 flat or 10.1,” the 28-year-old American told AFP.
Greene, seeking a fourth consecutive world title in Paris next month, insisted he would not change his style to accommodate the new ruling which allows only one false start and disqualifies any offender thereafter.
“There are rules that take things away from us,” he said. “As man progresses, so does his reactions.
“It has taken some of the aggression out of us. We have to be on the edge. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. If that means being thrown out of the race, then I’m sorry.”
Greene admitted he was struggling to find form and has even entered the preliminary race in Rome for the extra practice.
“It is time to start heating things up a bit with the world championships coming up,” said the sprinter nicknamed the ‘Kansas Comet’ who is aiming for a fifth consecutive win in the Italian capital.
Also in the hunt among the speed merchants are Greene’s fellow American Bernard Williams, winner of last week’s event in Paris, and Nigerian Deji Aliu, knocking on the door of a sub-10 second time having run 10 flat in Greece last month.
Tim Montgomery, holder of the 100m world record after running 9.78 last September, pulled out earlier this week to spend time with girlfriend Marion Jones.
The triple Olympic champion gave birth to their first child, a baby boy, Tim Junior, on June 28.
American 110m hurdler Allen Johnson, who like Greene is going for a fourth world title in Paris next month, said it was important to get the balance right between aggression and relaxation.
“Hurdles is different to 100m. You have to control your aggression and be aware of your stride,” said the 32-year-old world record holder.
World record holder Haile Gebrselassie faces stiff competition in the 5000m from fellow Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, who could well take him on for the world 10,000 meters title in Paris.
“He’s the new prince, or maybe he is already the king,” said Gebrselassie of his young rival. “Kenenisa is different from the others, psychologically and mentally. He know what he is capable of. I’m really happy for him.”
Despite singing Bekele’s praises, Gebrselassie was upbeat about his own chances despite being upstaged by Kenyan Abraham Chebii in Paris last week.
“I’m not finished yet,” said the 30-year-old veteran, who will be running only his second 5000m race in three years after deciding to step up to marathons.
