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Chat Reel: Debbie Ferguson
Sprinter making strides toward Olympics
Posted: Thursday July 13, 2000 07:17 PM
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Debbie Ferguson told users she wants to be a role model for children like Marlene Ottey was to her. AP |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's Olympic chat with sprinter Debbie Ferguson. Welcome Debbie. Thanks for joining us.
Debbie Ferguson: Thank you. Nice to be here!
From E. Kirkwood Simmons in Nassau, Bahamas: Debbie, what do you hope to achieve with your talent, popularity and prosperity? Who benefits from your success?
Debbie Ferguson: For the first part of the question, what I hope to achieve from my talent and popularity. I would like to help with the younger generation by being a role model for them. The Bahamas are a small but powerful country, but I when I was growing up there were only one or two role models for me. But they were not up close and personal. I think of women like Merlene Ottey, and the other one was Pauline Davis, a Bahamian also. I would see them but not up close and personal. But I love kids and no matter what they ask me to do I would be there for them and be a role model.
From Ryan Antonio in Nassau, Bahamas: Even though you have been doing well in the 200M, is this your favorite event? Hope to see you home for the trials.
Debbie Ferguson: Hi Ryan, I will see you at the trials. I think the 100 meter is the shortest and it is over in the blink of an eye. I have grown to love the 200 meter, more so because I am doing better in it. It has now become my favorite event.
From Elmer Williams in Humacao, Puerto Rico: I want to know about your weight training in general and competitive preparation.
Debbie Ferguson: Well, as far as my weight training in general, I don't do a lot in the weight room. It's more so plyometrics and basically using your own body weight. In addition to other lifts I do squats and bench press. I am not in the weight room 24/7 but it helps as far as power and explosiveness out of the blocks. And competitive preparation, being able to focus and just having the confidence to compete knowing you have trained hard and believe in yourself that you can do it.
From Antonio Neves in New York: Debbie, how do you train when you're on the road competing. For example, when you have a meet and then another in three days. With the travel time involved, when and where do you get to train to maintain top form?
Debbie Ferguson: Well, very rarely I get to train when it is like that. It is good because when you have competition like that. It's not a problem because you are always competing, always sharp. But the distance, for the competition, you have to get a day or two of longer training because I am a sprinter. You can do that for a short period of time, over distance. I want to do well in Sydney, but not for anything longer than that.
From Kevin in Grand Cayman: Hi, Debbie. I just want to know which Caribbean athlete would you rate as the best of all time.
Debbie Ferguson: I guess, not sounding biased, I think I would rate, Marlene Ottey. She has been my mentor and if she gets a chance to compete she should do well. I think it is her 6th Olympics, and in the Caribbean she has brought track and field to the forefront for women. She would be my favorite.
From Pat: Will you move up to the 400m ever? Will you do a 100/200 double in Sydney?
Debbie Ferguson: I guess eventually I will move up to the 400 depending on what my coach says and yes, I will double in Sydney and compete in the 100 and the 200.
From Pat: Have you been to the track in Sydney? If so, what do you think about it?
Debbie Ferguson: Actually I have never been to Sydney. This will be my first time and I am looking forward to it.
From Steve: Do different tracks make a difference?
Debbie Ferguson: I think yes, in my opinion different tracks make a difference but in the mind. Everyone is competing on the same track. But time wise, it makes a difference.
From Jerome Elliott in Nassau, Bahamas: What do you think your chances are for individual Gold in Sydney? What do you think the Bahamas' chances are in the Women's 400m relays?
Debbie Ferguson: Hi Jerome. I guess basically as far as my individual goal I am pushing more for the 200. And at this time I am tied in the world for the fastest time. That is a plus on my behalf. As far as the one hundred meter relay gold, I know we can do it as far as becoming Olympic champs. What we have to do is work on our exchanges, stay focused, and stay injury free.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us, Debbie. Good luck at the trials.
Debbie Ferguson: Thank you very much. I hope everything goes well. And good luck to the other athletes competing in their trials.
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