Quotes from the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team Press Conference

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U.S. Olympic Committee ()
08/16/2004


Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif.) - 55kg   On his preparation for the Olympic Games:  "Last year was a bit of a disappointment for me but it did open my eyes to some of my weaknesses and those are the things that I've been working on."    Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla.) - 60kg  On being a first time Olympian:  "Obviously it feels great. For a long time this has been a dream. But it's a reality now and I've left no stone unturned and I'm ready to represent my country, my family and compete well."    "Obviously there's nothing like the enormity of the Olympic Games. As far as the intensity goes, that's been one of the concentration areas. Intensity without direction isn't a good thing so putting some direction on that intensity has been a focus of mine for the last year.    Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa) - 84kg  On last year's world championship competition:  "I learned I need to get better in certain areas, I need to be sharper, that's what I've been focusing on."    On being a celebrity:  "I don't really feel that, I don't think I'm the face of the sport. I'm going to get teased a little bit now, you shouldn't have asked me that. That's not reality, I'm just one of seven people trying to compete. I'm not concerned about celebrity status, I'm concerned about wrestling well. I don't want to win so I can get some kind of status, I wrestle because I want to be champion."    Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa.) - 120kg  On his team chemistry:  "We've got a great team here, we've been drawing off each other. I've been using the other guys to help me get better. The best part about being a part of this team is that we're not just a bunch of guys going out there to work, we're more like a family and that really helps us push each other. I know it's really helped me to get better."    On being the only team member with Olympic experience:  "I've got experience competing in an Olympic event but the 2004 Games are not the 2000 Games. I think everyone realizes that so, if I can help with something I try to but everyone has their own Olympic experience."    Tom Brands - Coach  On this team's focus:  "Our emphasis has been on details, but most importantly these guys have bought into those details. They're all working and they're all capable, it's good to see."    Zeke Jones - Coach  On how this team can win:  "What's going to be the determining factor for each individual winning the gold medal is his preparation, if he increases his focus, he minimizes the distractions that the Olympic Games presents, weight control will be a big factor. Knowing our opponents, making sure that we're focused on how to beat those wrestlers in their weight class to make sure they know all those little things that those guys in their weight classes do. If we're able to do those things, we'll be able to win several gold medals."