Courtesy: USATF

Q. What made you decide to compete in the United States more often this season?

A. This year is a bit different than in the past. I've had success at the Olympic level. I have a deep desire to get back into competition, but that desire doesn't dwindle into traveling so much. In terms of individual events, I haven't been all that pleased with some of my performances here in the U.S. I hope to change that to prove to myself that I can run fast not only abroad but also right here at home. That's important to me. I can compete in front of fans who perhaps haven't had a chance to see me in person, and compete in a couple of venues that are new to me. It'll be my first time in Princeton, and in Palo Alto (where she'll compete June 9 at the U.S. Open). ... I'm excited that I don't have to hop on a plane for 6, 7, 19 hours to go to a meet.

Q. Has been adjusting to post-Olympic life and getting back into training been difficult?

A. It hasn't been difficult for me in the slightest. Trevor (coach Trevor Graham) had a heck of a time making me relax and take that month or six weeks off that I normally take, because I was dying to get back on the track and start training again. I really love what I do. Having to sit out is really hard for me. ... We're encouraged by the 300-meter time (at Mt. SAC), we're encouraged by the 400 leg at the Penn Relays.

ON THE 100 AND 200: I'm looking forward to being more consistent with my races. In the 100 meters, I'm quite consistent at 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, and on that special special occasion, I'll hit the 10.6 mark. But I don't want to look at it like that. We want to be able to say I'm consistent at 10.7, 10.6, and on that special special occasion, hit that 10.5 mark. That right there is our goal. The 200 is an event that's quite interesting to me. I don't run it all that often. I'm quite capable, I think, of dropping a fast time, but I want to learn more about the event. I still think I have a lot to learn in the 200 meters. That's not to say I don't have things to learn in the 100 and long jump. ... I know I'm fit. In this off-season, Trevor and I have been looking at some new things on the curve, some new techniques for when I come off the curve onto that straightaway, so I can start being consistent with the 21.7s and 21.6s and move on from there.

Q. What are your plans for the World Championships?

A. I learned a lot from my experience in Sydney, and I learned a lot from my experience in Seville. I will be in Edmonton, and you can pretty much bet I'll be in the 100 meters, and at least one of the relays, if not both. I want to start running faster and I want to start jumping farther. a| I've yet to be a 200-meter world champion. I've yet to win the long jump in a major competition anywhere in the world. Those are things I definitely want to achieve, and I'll have the opportunity in Edmonton. Those things will go into my decision (about which events she enters).

Q. Are you feeling pressure?

A. I think the general consensus among the athletes is that we're all feeling a bit of pressure in terms of wanting to be successful and compete well, particularly here in the United States, particularly because it is a post-Olympic year. We want to get out the fact that we have a very competitive season. I feel a certain sense of responsibility, and if I said otherwise, I'd be lying. But I think it's across the board with a number of athletes. I'm sure Mike (Michael Johnson) is feeling a bit of it, and perhaps Maurice (Greene) and some of the other big names. I don't think it just rests on our shoulders. I think in general, American athletes understand what is going on with this sport and the fact that we need to be successful and compete here in the United States if we are going to make this work. And we ARE going to make this work. That's the positive thing.

Q. Why did you choose to compete at the GST Open at Princeton Invitational, and what kind of time do you hope to run in the 100?

A. In the past couple of years, USA Track & Field has put on a meet here at my hometown of Raleigh. The Princeton meet now follows along the same time frame as the Raleigh meet did. It just reflects the timing of the early season. It's kind of exciting - we travel all over the place, and I've never competed in New Jersey. It's a 55-minute flight, so that definitely appeals to us. To even predict time would be unfair since I don't have any other time to compare it to. This is my first 100 of the season.

Q. World records?

A. I think it hurts a bit if you try and put it on your agenda. All I can do is train, learn every day as I'm doing, and continue to run fast and jump far and the world records will come. I'm not a big fan of doing all the talking about world records. It's a better surprise for all of us if, out of the blue, a world record is set.

Q. Has being Olympic champion been what you thought it would be like when you wrote it down as your goal back in 1984?

A. It's been everything that I've dreamed of and more. The best thing about it all is really the memories I have of Sydney. Not only Sydney but Sacramento (at the Olympic Trials), which was the culminating point in my career when I made my first Olympic Team. I couldn't have imagined how wonderful it could be, post-Olympic year and having won Olympic gold medals.

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