 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Time's A Charm?
Created: 8/18/2004 1:40:19 PM
|
 Chris
Lambert, one of the most accomplished sprinters ever to come out of the Ivy League,
will head to Athens on Thursday in search of a medal in the 200-meters. Ben Samara
managed to catch up with him before he hopped on his flight to Greece.
Lambert, a 2003 Harvard graduate, qualified for the Olympic Games by posting an Olympic "A" mark at the European Under-23 Championships and then winning the UK Olympic Trials in July. At the Under-23 Championships, he recorded a personal best of 20.34.
One of the record 55 Ivy League Olympians in Athens, Lambert is also one of seven track & field competitors showcasing their skills. He joins 400-meter hurdlers Michael Aguilar and Brenda Taylor, high jumper Tora Harris, shot putter Adam Nelson, distance runner Kate O'Neill and discus thrower Nick Sweeney. This year, the Ivy League has the most track & field Olympians participating since the 1952 Helsinki Games.
Lambert actually burst onto the sprinting scene prior to his days with the Crimson, when he topped the world junior rankings in 1999 with a time of 20.63. At Harvard, though, his career was just as stellar. He saw two Ivy League records fall during his junior year, but they were negated because they were wind-aided times. Despite that heartbreak, his 2002 Heps performance still remains as one of his greatest moments.
An All-American as a senior, Lambert ran to a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter
dash at the NCAA Championships. He followed that performance by winning the 100-meters
at the World University Games last summer.
What's it like preparing for your first Olympic Games? Is it nerve-wracking?
Not really
Have you altered your training regimen at all for such a big meet?
I had to change all that because I had a slight injury coming in. It was a slight hamstring injury, training the day before I came out here. I've been doing a lot of strength work, a lot of rehab work. I'm just trying to get strong and fit.
Do you think you're ready and healthy to compete?
Oh yeah. I've got the fitness and I've got the strength. I'm flying to Athens tomorrow (August 19).
So you weren't there for the opening ceremonies (August 13)?
We had our own little opening ceremonies, the whole British team. We had a ceremony and they put it up on big screens for us, gave us a big dinner and a little parade and stuff.
Growing up as an aspiring runner in the UK, did you look up to sprinters
like [1992 Olympic champion] Linford Christie?
Yeah, everyone in my sport accomplishes to watch the athletes I think. I watched Linford before I was even interested in running. He was big. He wasn't quite an inspiration but he was definitely someone I paid a lot of attention to. Lately, there's been a lot more guys my age and it's been a lot easier to try and slot in.
When and how did you first get into sprinting?
It's got to be about 1996. It was school. I was running for the school and a teacher thought I had a bit of talent. I was at the English Championships and got scouted by a coach.
Are you happy with your progress as a sprinter so far in your career?
How much further do you need to go to get where you want to be?
I've had a hard time continuing my progress. I had a lot of progress as a junior, but I came to college and I had a hard time continuing it in Boston. It's very cold up there, not ideal conditions for sprinting. But I've made solid progress on my strength and everything and I'm doing a lot better now.
What do you miss most about your days at Harvard?
Just being with all my college friends.
Do you still keep in touch?
They're coming out to watch me actually. My old roommate is coming out.
What's the most memorable performance of your running career?
The 2002 Ivy League Championships was a big performance for me. There was a lot of racing in tough conditions and I think I did really well for myself there. And after that, I've been to the World Under-23s and performed well. Winning my national trials was a big achievement as well. Conditions were poor. It affected the times, but to win a national championship was obviously a big honor for me.
|
|
Related Schools: Harvard
|
|
Related Sports: Outdoor Track
|
|
*This Article has been archived.*
|
Click here for a printer friendly version
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 |
|
|
