Champ nursing shot at Olympics!
Bengaluru, May 13, 2016, DHNS:
The state of long jump these days is such that Mike Powell still nurses ambitions of one more shot at Olympic glory.
Powell says he will make a serious attempt to make it to the American squad for Rio Games this time, notwithstanding the fact that he is 52.
“I am serious. You don’t forget how to jump. 8.05 is the mark to gain entry to the trials and I am very confident about that,” he says. “I am good enough to jump 8.30. It won’t be that hard. I know exactly how to do it. Jumping that you will be in contention for a medal at any Olympics.
“I have always been a competitor. I believe in what I believe. How can people doubt me? I am the master of the long jump. I am the Beethoven of the long jump. I am the Bach of long jump. I don’t say things for nothing. I am going to make that team. Because I have told my daughter that daddy is going to the Olympics. That’s my biggest motivation. Fifty is not old.
Powell points out that while other events have progressed, long jumpers have slipped. “In the Olympics in 2012, 8.11 was the bronze. Every other event has progressed or stayed close to the mark. 100M, 200M you name it. But in long jump, it’s way back. If you take Jesse Owens’ mark of 8.13 can win a medal in 2012, that’s unheard of. The sport is in such a pathetic state that you can count on me! There are talented guys. But they don’t know what they are doing. I was at the World Championship last year, I was like, I can get all these guys.”
Powell says he will make a serious attempt to make it to the American squad for Rio Games this time, notwithstanding the fact that he is 52.
“I am serious. You don’t forget how to jump. 8.05 is the mark to gain entry to the trials and I am very confident about that,” he says. “I am good enough to jump 8.30. It won’t be that hard. I know exactly how to do it. Jumping that you will be in contention for a medal at any Olympics.
“I have always been a competitor. I believe in what I believe. How can people doubt me? I am the master of the long jump. I am the Beethoven of the long jump. I am the Bach of long jump. I don’t say things for nothing. I am going to make that team. Because I have told my daughter that daddy is going to the Olympics. That’s my biggest motivation. Fifty is not old.
Powell points out that while other events have progressed, long jumpers have slipped. “In the Olympics in 2012, 8.11 was the bronze. Every other event has progressed or stayed close to the mark. 100M, 200M you name it. But in long jump, it’s way back. If you take Jesse Owens’ mark of 8.13 can win a medal in 2012, that’s unheard of. The sport is in such a pathetic state that you can count on me! There are talented guys. But they don’t know what they are doing. I was at the World Championship last year, I was like, I can get all these guys.”
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