Chat wrap with Maurice Greene

Posted Friday, April 22, 2005

Olympic champion Maurice Greene answered questions from KUsports.com readers Friday, just a day before he took part in the 2005 Kansas Relays.

Moderator: We'll begin our chat with Maurice Greene in just a few moments. Thanks to Maurice and our readers for their time today.

Toby, Independence: Good luck in the 100M dash. I'm glad you decided to run it! Despite your placing in the 100M in the 2004 Olympics, do you still consider yourself the G.O.A.T.?

Maurice Greene: Yes I do! Until someone else comes along and accomplishes what I have, I will claim that title.

Shawn, Goodland: What has been the highlight of your track career?

Maurice Greene: The 2000 Olympics in Sydney. It was my first Olympic Games which is something I had dreamed about for a very long time. It was very exciting.

Zach, Wellsville: Maurice, I have a lot of respect for you as a runner, and I was wanting to ask, did you have to work really hard as a kid to become so quick, or did your speed just come naturally? Keep it up.

Maurice Greene: Even though I had a lot of success when I was younger, I had to work very hard. My coaches were always there to push me.

Zack, Omaha: Maurice, watching you run is one of my favorite things in sports. Does finishing second in the 4X100 relay in Athens provide any extra incentive for the 2008 games?

Maurice Greene: Well, not finishing how I would like always pushes me. It helps me build towards the next compeition.

Vin, Kansas City: Maurice, congratulations on representing Kansas City in such a fine way over the years. It seems to be becoming more and more acceptable for track and field athletes to skip college and go straight to professional competition. In retrospect, do you feel that not competing collegiately hindered you in any way? And how do you see the decisions of young stars like Alyson Felix and LaShawn Merritt to skip most (or all) of college affecting the sport in the future?

Maurice Greene: Competition is different for everyone. My decision was the right one for me. You can never tell what is going to work. Allyson is having much success with her career at this time, and we will have to see what LaShawn does.

Randy, Lawrence: Maurice, how do the KU Relays compare to other track and field events in which you've participated throughout the USA and other countries? Thanks for being a part of the KU Relays! I look forward to watching you run this week!

Maurice Greene: The Kansas Relays is my home. Every meet is different, especially meets in other countries. Overseas, track is more widely known and the stadiums are full of energy.

Colin Greaser, Troy,: How does it feel to be an Olympic champion?

Maurice Greene: It feels great. I will always have a mark in the history books now. That is something no one can ever take away from me.

Moderator: That will end our chat with Maurice Greene. Thanks again to him and our readers for their time just a one day before competiting at the 2005 Kansas Relays.