Jeff talks about his preparation on the road to the Olympics 
ECUADOR, 14/08/2004. "I'm now in the competitive phase, making preparations for the day of the walk; thank God I've had the backing of the press and sports official to be able to do it well. They have allowed me to work. In spite of the fact that on occasions, when an athlete is in top form, his behavior is not always appropriate because he is very stressed, very burdened and at times can make comments that hurt many people, but which in reality he does not wish to say. My personality isn't like that; it's simply my level of stress which rises before an important event such as the Olympic Games.
What I´m doing before going to Greece is train, quite hard; I'm very satisfied with my work. We are alternating between Guayaquil and Cuenca, in order to work in hot and humid weather without neglecting preparation at altitude.
In Guayaquil I work out in different places: the Modelo Stadium track, near the Olympic pool, massages sessions; I also do road work on asphalt in different places. En Cuenca, I work out at five, and as part of this preparation I have not gone up to El Cajas because I can't mistreat my body with the weather at high altitude. As a precaution we decided to avoid going to El Cajas since the temperatures are around three or four degrees Celsius. (38 or 39 degrees F.)
What pleases me about this preparation is that I don't do it alone. I am working with Rolando and Xavier (race walkers who have qualified for the Olympics). They are doing very well and that pleases me. We are learning from each other - definitely a great team.
Although each athlete has his coach, we are training together and that is an advantage if in the last analysis we want to establish a joint strategy, it will be much easier.
On the three occasions I had to go to the Olympic Games, my feelings were different. In Atlanta '96 I wanted it (to win a medal); at Sydney I didn't want it, and now I desire it, I desire to be champion. I know the price this dream has; I know how difficult it is to achieve it, but I want it and I accept it.
Likewise I accept the responsibility of representing my country, and it's good that the country is watching me, because they aren't watching just because they like me, but because of the work I have put in, trying to do the best for the country. And if they give me this responsibility, I accept it with much pride, with much desire.
I don't know who or what awaits me in Athens. I respect everyone; all are rivals who are very sure of what they have to do. I don't want to know who will or who will not be there. I only know that those I encounter have a plan to "eliminate me."
In a few days I will be traveling, a week before the competition, this will be the 20th of August. I hope to stay until the end of the Olympiad and be able to participate in the closing ceremony because I will not be in the opening ceremony. I would like to parade with my companions but need to continue working to achieve my objective and that is my priority. Without a doubt I will leave more than my life and my soul in Athens. I am going to do it for my convictions and love for my country, and for certain everything will turn out all right on finding my peace and excellence that I have looked for so long."
Source: Expreso News Paper
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