Aug. 22, 2003

Allen Johnson’s Team USA Bio in PDF Format
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USC volunteer assistant track coach Allen Johnson, the world’s top-ranked 110m hurdler, met with the media in Paris ahead of Saturday’s opening of the IAAF World Championships. Johnson, the 2003 U.S. 110m hurdles Champion, is coached by Gamecocks’ head coach Curtis Frye.

A three-time world outdoor champion and the 1996 Olympic gold medalist in the men’s 110m hurdles, Allen Johnson enters the competition in Paris with the fastest time in the world this year with his 12.97 seconds clocking at the Gaz de France meet.

Q: You’ve spoken in recent years about wanting the world record, but lately you’ve changed your focus into concentrating on winning. Tell us how you made that change in your outlook.

Johnson: I made that change in my outlook because when I was trying to run after times, I was making a lot of mistakes and I kind of lost sight of the fact that when you win races that means you’re the fastest person on that day. If I continue to win eventually the fast times will come, so I decided to stop worrying about the time and just worry about the race and try to excel at that.

Q: Could you talk a little bit about your teammates in the 110m hurdles?

Johnson: We’re the only country that has four competitors, so I think there is a good chance that we can try to sweep the event and go 1, 2, 3, 4. As Craig Masback always says, we’re the #1 team and the same goes for the 110 hurdles.

Q: What time will it take to win the gold medal?

Johnson: Honestly I don’t know. That’s really hard to say because everyone raises their game. So far this year you’ve seen 12.97 and 13.00. It will be at least that fast, that’s all I can say.