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Williams feeling pressure ahead of World Champs
file - Lauryn Williams of the U.S. (front) and Sherone Simpson of Jamaica competing at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki look up at the scoreboard after completing their women's 100 metres semi-final at the world athletics championships in Helsinki August 8, 2005. Williams finished first and Sherone fourth. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
philadelphia, pennsylvania
Defending world 100 metres champion Lauryn Williams has conceded she will be under pressure to defend her title this summer, and the American admitted that the main threat should come from Jamaica's camp led by last year's top rated sprinter Sherone Simpson.
"Definitely the heat is on, you know, for me to come back and put on a very good performance," Williams said following a press conference yesterday at the 113th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field stadium here to promote today's USA v. the World 4x100 metres event which includes teams from Jamaica in the men's and women's event.
"Sherone had a great year last year, having run faster than we ran at the Olympics, the Worlds or anybody so far. She has run faster than my personal best."
Simpson is not Williams' only possible threat from Jamaica. She can also expect others like Kerron Stewart, who dazzled yesterday with the fastest time in the collegiate women's 100 metres event for Auburn University by clocking 11.22 seconds in overcast and cool conditions, to provide stiff competition as well.
no animosity
The diminutive Miami resident of Trinidadian parentage, who won gold for the U.S. at the 2005 World Championships but struggled with injuries last year, said she is eagerly anticipating the continuing rivalry between the Americans and Jamaicans on the track, but insisted that there is no animosity between the camps.
"I think, yeah, there is a bit of competition (between) U.S. and Jamaica anyway because they always have very good athletes," said Williams, who has a reputation of rising to her best at big meets.
"But at the end of the day we walk off the track, everyone is friends. So it's good to have that separation and be able to get along. What goes on (the heated competition), on the track, is not carried off the track."
During the press conference, Simpson indicated that she too will be up for the challenge from the Americans and the rest of the world.
"I'm very much motivated," she said, while sandwiched at the table between four of America's best sprinters, Williams and Allyson Felix on her left, Wallace Spearmon and Tyson Gay on her right. "...Looking forward to a pretty good season."
Simpson explained that both she and world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell were enjoying the fact that they were currently ranked as the world's best sprinters.
"It is exciting to know Jamaicans are on top," she said. "It motivates us and others at the (MVP) club."
boost
Both Williams and Simpson said they should receive a boost today from an expected large crowd, which usually includes a massive contingent of loud cheering Jamaicans.
"It's kinda like a World Championships," Williams said in summing up the anticipated electric atmosphere today, the final day of the prestigious three-day meet.
"(The crowd) really motivates you to run fast, seeing the large Jamaican contingent in the stands," Simpson said.
Today Jamaica will also field teams in the men's and women's 4x400 "USA vs. the World" events.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.
file - Lauryn Williams of the U.S. (front) and Sherone Simpson of Jamaica competing at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki look up at the scoreboard after completing their women's 100 metres semi-final at the world athletics championships in Helsinki August 8, 2005. Williams finished first and Sherone fourth. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
GORDON WILLIAMS, Contributor
philadelphia, pennsylvania
Defending world 100 metres champion Lauryn Williams has conceded she will be under pressure to defend her title this summer, and the American admitted that the main threat should come from Jamaica's camp led by last year's top rated sprinter Sherone Simpson.
"Definitely the heat is on, you know, for me to come back and put on a very good performance," Williams said following a press conference yesterday at the 113th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field stadium here to promote today's USA v. the World 4x100 metres event which includes teams from Jamaica in the men's and women's event.
"Sherone had a great year last year, having run faster than we ran at the Olympics, the Worlds or anybody so far. She has run faster than my personal best."
Simpson is not Williams' only possible threat from Jamaica. She can also expect others like Kerron Stewart, who dazzled yesterday with the fastest time in the collegiate women's 100 metres event for Auburn University by clocking 11.22 seconds in overcast and cool conditions, to provide stiff competition as well.
no animosity
The diminutive Miami resident of Trinidadian parentage, who won gold for the U.S. at the 2005 World Championships but struggled with injuries last year, said she is eagerly anticipating the continuing rivalry between the Americans and Jamaicans on the track, but insisted that there is no animosity between the camps.
"I think, yeah, there is a bit of competition (between) U.S. and Jamaica anyway because they always have very good athletes," said Williams, who has a reputation of rising to her best at big meets.
"But at the end of the day we walk off the track, everyone is friends. So it's good to have that separation and be able to get along. What goes on (the heated competition), on the track, is not carried off the track."
During the press conference, Simpson indicated that she too will be up for the challenge from the Americans and the rest of the world.
"I'm very much motivated," she said, while sandwiched at the table between four of America's best sprinters, Williams and Allyson Felix on her left, Wallace Spearmon and Tyson Gay on her right. "...Looking forward to a pretty good season."
Simpson explained that both she and world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell were enjoying the fact that they were currently ranked as the world's best sprinters.
"It is exciting to know Jamaicans are on top," she said. "It motivates us and others at the (MVP) club."
boost
Both Williams and Simpson said they should receive a boost today from an expected large crowd, which usually includes a massive contingent of loud cheering Jamaicans.
"It's kinda like a World Championships," Williams said in summing up the anticipated electric atmosphere today, the final day of the prestigious three-day meet.
"(The crowd) really motivates you to run fast, seeing the large Jamaican contingent in the stands," Simpson said.
Today Jamaica will also field teams in the men's and women's 4x400 "USA vs. the World" events.
Gordon Williams is a Jamaican journalist based in the United States.