Montgomery - back on track in Stockholm after maternity leave

http://www.iaaf.org/GP03/news/Kind=2/newsId=22175.html

Montgomery - back on track in Stockholm after maternity leave
Saturday 2 August 2003
Stockholm, Sweden - “Tim expects to run well and he is very excited to step on the track again.” Manager Charles Wells is doing the talking for world record holder Tim Montgomery, 28, who will make a much anticipated come-back at the DN Galan - IAAF Super Grand Prix - at Stockholm Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, 5 August 2003.

The man who recorded the fastest legal time ever in the 100 metres with 9.78 at the IAAF Grand Prix Final on 14 September last year, is not available for an interview. He is on the track putting in a solid work out under the supervision of new coach Dan Pfaff.

“Marion is out there as well,” says Charles. “She’s back training and enjoying every bit of it.”

The proud parents of a baby boy, (Tim Montgomery born June 28), have a busy nine months behind them, and after much speculation as to who was to become their next coach, Tim and Marion have decided upon Dan Pfaff.

“Tim’s life is back to normal. Life for him – and Marion – has been chaotic for the past nine months.”

Dan Pfaff who coached Olympic champion and former world record holder Donovan Bailey is now in charge of the careers of track & field’s first couple.

“It has worked out great, they are a perfect match for each other,” says Wells.

According to Wells, Montgomery is ready to run fast.

“I can’t speculate on times, but Tim has been very sharp in practice. He looks good. He is confident and ready.”

What are Tim’s expectations?

“To run well. He’s been training for a solid month after the Great Britain, Russia and USA match in Glasgow at the end of June.”

Tim, who only slept one hour due to the birth of his son and almost skipped the meet, decided to run after encouragement from Marion back home in North Carolina and was clearly beaten by Dwain Chambers. The times were 10.15 to 10.26.

In a previous interview for the IAAF, Montgomery said: “I know for a fact that I can be more consistent at 9.8 and can possibly run 9.75 and better than 9.75. When I take everything into consideration I believe I can challenge the World record again this year.”

Montgomery’s seasonal best is 10.04 from the Banamex meet in Mexico City on May 3.

Where is Tim going to run after Stockholm?

“He’ll be in London, but Berlin and Zürich are up in the air at the moment.”

But first the 37th DN Galan, which has been sold out for the past two weeks, (however 500 tickets will be made available on Tuesday August 5).

“Interest for DN Galan has never been higher,” says meeting director Rajne Söderberg. “The success of Swedish athletes such as Kajsa Bergqvist, Christian Olsson and Carolina Klüft has elevated the hype to an unsurpassed level.”

DN Galan awards a 1-carat diamond for a Stadium record and the current 100 metres record at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm is 9.87 by Maurice Greene from 1999.

Keijo Liimatainen for the IAAF