Sprinter Joseph Paul Amoah will make his IAAF World Championships bow today when he takes to the track in the men’s 100m heats at 18:05(15:05GMT).
Joe is coming off a breakthrough season which saw him take down the national 200m record with 20.08s(NR) and a PB 10.01s in the 100m.
Team Athletics Coach Leo Myles Mills, who interestingly holds the national 100m record, had this to say about Joe and the current breed of athletes at Doha 2019:
Question: On his hopes for Doha 2019:
“It’s ALL high hopes for the athletes. Some of them it’s their first time on such a huge world scene. They’ve done their best, which merits them to be there. They shouldn’t lose focus and remember why they are there. These guys are great and they are going there to have rub shoulders and have fun with some of the world’s greatest athletes.”
Question: As the coach of the team, what are your expectations?
“Well, it’s late in the year. School Fall season has started for majority of the athletes, if not all. We currently don’t have a single professional athlete. Their peak form may have come way back during the NCAA Championships.
We managed to grab a gold medal in the men’s 4x100m at the African Gamea (AAG). The women were just, just a little unlucky. Preparations towards the AG games wasn’t sharp. It would have been helpful if we could have sent them to Europe, run in some small small meets to help sharpen up their feet a little. You know what? A couple of days ago GB 4x100m run and have posted this years world’s fastest time. I could only wish we could’ve taken the athletes there to brush up as well.
But all in all, I know they will do their best. that their performance would carry them to 2020 Olympics.”
Question: On how long he thinks it will take before Joe Paul or somebody else takes down his 100m national record?
“Joe is trying to awaken a sleeping giant, joe a yoo!!!…hahahahah !!!
I think he can take it down. After all, records they say, are meant to be broken. I hope he can fine tune himself well. Stay focused, and he can get it done.”
GAA Communications Team.
