Aug. 22, 2004

South Carolina’s Lashinda Demus and Otis Harris are competing in the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles Sunday and Monday in the finals of the 400m, respectively. Both talked about their races on Saturday night. Lashinda first, then Otis.

USC: Lashinda, how did you feel in your first race. You ran with one of Greece’s heros – did you hear the crowd? They were very loud.

LD: I didn’t even know she was in my race. I almost lost concentration in the middle of the race – they were very loud, but I maintained. I saw her shut it down so I shut it down at the end as well. Don’t want to use up all the energy.

I am glad to get the first race out of the way. All three of us Americans – myself, Brenda Taylor and Sheena Johnson – we were all glad to get the jitters out of the way.

The heat didn’t bother me, nor did running so early in the morning (9 am start).

USC: Do you prefer to run at night?

LD: IT doesn’t matter, but the one thing about running at night is that you can sleep during the day. I didn’t’ get a lot of sleep the night before my race – I had a lot of anxious feelings. But if was racing at night – I could still get some rest during the day.

USC: What do you expect in the second round?

LD: It will be much faster.

USC: Who are you rooming with here?

LD: Lauryn Williams (she won the silver medal in the 100m for the USA later on Saturday night). She was really helpful to me the night before my race because she had already run a round of the 100m. She was able to tell me how it would be at the warm-up track, what you do once you get in the stadium, what to expect, etc. It really helped calm my nerves. I knew the process and that was a good feeling.

USC: Thanks Lashinda, now we will talk to Otis – your USC and USA teammate. Are you the first native of Edwards, Mississippi to make the finals of the 400m?

OH: (laughing) Well, Edwards has been around a long time, but I might be the first Olympic finalist.

USC: If someone told you you would make the Olympic finals back in January, would you have really believed this dream?

OH: I don’t know. I knew if I did everything I had to do to get here, I had a chance. It’s a blessing from God to make it this far especially with everything I’ve been through. It’s very exciting to make the finals.

USC: Two other USA athletes are also in the finals – Derrick Brew and Jeremy Wairner. Have you talked about the finals?

OH: Our goal coming in was to go 1-2-3 in the finals. Not sure of the places, but we all want to medal. I am going to do everything I can to win and I am sure they will do the same. After the race, we will all hug and thank God we were able to represent the USA. We are all very talented athletes – God willing we will get around the track healthy on Monday night.

I am not sure what kind of time to expect to win on Monday night. I just have to keep doing the things that have made me successful. It’s very exciting.