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Penpix of Hudson Smith International Olympic athletes
SYDNEY, Sept 15 (AFP) - Penpix on Hudson Smith International (HSI) athletes competing at the Olympics: Maurice Greene (100m and 4x100 relay) The 26-year-old known either as the 'Kansas Comet' or as the 'Phenomenon' burst onto the scene with the world 100m title in Athens in 1997 defeating bitter rival Donovan Bailey. Found Athens very much to his taste as he broke Bailey's world record there last year with a stunning run of 9.79secs - capped it with three gold medals in the world championships in Seville in August. Not bad for a guy who watched in tears as Bailey won the Olympic title in Atlanta. Owes a lot to his dad as he agreed to live the dream with his son and drive him to coaching legend John Smith's UCLA base all the way from Kansas after those Olympics - it certainly was worth the petrol money. His manager Emmanuel Hudson says of him: "He is the Michael Jordan of athletics. While making your debut in the Olympics might be a weakness for some it won't be for Maurice because he has the big match temperament." Ato Boldon (100 and 200m, perhaps the 4x100m relay) While Greene was watching at Atlanta the 26-year-old Trinidadian was running third in the 100 - but it also ended in tears for him. He blamed the former Olympic and world champion Linford Christie for putting him off after the Englishman refused to budge when he was disqualified for two false starts. Typically the urbane and intelligent Boldon, who moved to America aged 16 with his mother, forgave Christie three days later and now blames himself. He picked up the 1997 200m title and his first senior 100m title in the 1998 Commonwealth Games beating Frankie Fredricks and Obadele Thompson, a race he describes as pivotal in his career. However, suspicion still remains that he cannot translate his ability into titles and whatever he may say about not being favourite if he does not take the 200 title here without either Greene or Michael Johnson in the field he will be judged to have failed the big test again. Boldon on Boldon: "Earlier in my career I spoke a lot more about myself. I was embarassed when I predicted world records and they didn't materialise so now I let my feet do the talking." "I liken the favourite winning an event as a dog bites man sort of headline and I want to make it in the 100m a man bites dog headline." Jon Drummond (100m and 4x100 relay) The self-proclaimed 'Clown Prince of the Track' has been superhuman off the track in overcoming spina bifida and three bouts of spinal meningitis but too human when he has competed at major championships. The 32-year-old practical joker, a best selling gospel singer, failed when favourite for the 1997 200m world championship crown - he almost didn't make the final after doing a delicate balancing act when he lost his equilibrium and stumbled virtually into his next door neighbour's lane - and a stomach virus ended his hopes of Olympic glory in 1996 semi-finals. Has enjoyed a real return to form this season qualifying for the Olympic team and ran a great 9.96 to finish second behind Greene in Berlin Golden League meeting just prior to coming here. Live outsider provided he controls his nerves but would be a popular winner and a real sob story come fairytale. Hudson on Drummond: "He's a unique character and has come on a long voyage to get here. He is a lot closer formwise this time to a medal than he's ever been. I think he has held himself bck a bit recently as he doesn't think he can perform at the top week in week out." Curtis Johnson (100m plus 4x100 relay) The surprise package of the 100m trio when he ran a stunning second in the US trials. The 27-year-old had shown little since a good junior career when he appeared in both the 1990 and 1992 world junior championships. However, as with so many athletes who turn to John Smith his form improved dramatically in 1999 and paid off handsomely with his performance in the trials at Sacramento in July. Still an outsider overall but at his age and in his first Olympics he will want to make the most out of what could be a one and only appearance on the big stage. Hudson on Johnson: "I get the impression that like Jon Drummond since the trials he has been holding himself back a bit and keeping something in reserve. Again he is not confident enough that he can hit the highest level every week and wants to hit a peak at the biggest meet there is the Olympics." Hudson on chances of winning men's 100m: "If we have all four in the final it will be like a John Smith training run. It wouldn't really matter then which one of them wins." Inger Miller (100 and 200m) Like all the Smith-Hudson camp is a bubbly vivacious character. American-born daughter of dual Olympic medallist Jamaica's Lennox Miller, who coached her until she joined HSI in 1999, and goddaughter of Jamaica's 1976 Olympic 200m men's champion Don Quarrie. Ran fourth in the 1996 Olympic 200m final just five weeks after she was almost killed when her car flipped over three times. She ran a respectable fifth in both the 1997 world championships 100m and 200m finals but it was again her move to HSI which sparked a dramatic rise in her performances. Showed that Smith had worked his magic again when she won gold in the 200m in 1999 world's and silver behind greatest rival Marion Jones, who missed the 200 after collapsing with back spasms in the semis, in the 100 running substantial personal bests. The 28-year-old, who is a qualified vet, has to beat the Jones jinx to pull off a major shock but certain performances this season have raised hopes of such an occurrence. Hudson on Miller: "She wants her gold and she can get it. In America they have set these Games up as Marion's Olympics and the pressure is on her already. Even if she wins all five they will say that she should have done that anyway." Miller on Jones: "I am getting closer and closer to her and I know that I can pull it off one of these days.
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