McFarlane (left) trails Trinidadian-born Kerron Clement of the USA in Berlin. (Photo courtesy of Danny McFarlane).
(Sept 6, 2009):
Jamaica’s Danny McFarlane finished 6th in the 400m hurdles in Berlin in 48.65 secs. However, he has a personal best 48.00 in the event. The 37-yr-old McFarlane, who has been to four World Championships as a hurdler, took time out of his preparation for the IAAF/VTB Bank World Athletics Final in Greece on September 12 & 13 to talk to Caribbean TrackLife (CTL).
CTL:
How do you feel about your overall performance in Berlin?
Danny Mac: “First, I would like to give thanks to God. But to answer your question, I am disappointed with my performance. I wanted a medal. I am not pleased with my performance. I know that I had 47.8 or 47.9 in me and could have done much better.”
CTL:
Do you think that you could have done anything differently in Berlin?
Danny Mac: “You know, two weeks before Berlin, I change something in training and I think that affected me a little. I was little fatigued. I did not run the rounds as well as I could have. I can’t blame the lane assignment on my performance because two weeks before, in Monaco, I ran a 48.10 out of lane 8.”
CTL:
Do you have any pre-race ritual?
Danny Mac: “The only thing I really do is give a thumbs up sign that my son knows is for him.”
CTL:
How was the training facility in Berlin?
Danny Mac: “The Training facility was definitely up to par. We had starting blocks and hurdles and were ready to go. You cannot put a group of world-class athletes in sub-par facilities and not provide them with what they need. That was not the case with the training facility.”
CTL:
What was the atmosphere like in Berlin as far as the Jamaican supporters?
Danny Mac: “The support was great. We have Jamaican fans all over the world, so I was not surprised with the support, especially with Usain Bolt and the rest of the sprinters doing their thing. Jamaican fans worldwide always come out to support us.”
CTL:
What do you think about the overall Jamaican team performance, winning 13 medals?
Danny Mac: “I think we did very well but we could have done much better. We should have gotten more medals. Isa Philips did not do well as we expected but he has learned from his mistakes. Dwight Thomas did not find his rhythm and Markino Buckley, who also has medal potential, was hurt this season and didn’t make the top three at trials.”
CTL:
What do you think about Jehue Gordon, the 17-yr-old from Trinidad in your race? He could be your son?
Danny Mac: “Gordon has a whole lot of talent. He could be the next Edwin Moses. For him to run out of lane 2 and almost medal with world-class hurdlers, that says a lot about his talent and that he can compete. This man could put the 400m hurdles on the map again.”
CTL:
What was the deal with the whole Veronica Campbell-Brown issue?
Danny Mac: “I support Veronica because it is hard to be preparing to run the anchor leg in training camp and throughout and then asked to change position at the last minute.”
CTL:
Will Danny McFarlane be at the next World Championship in 2011?
Danny Mac: “I am not thinking about that right now. I have to get next year right and keep on working hard. My body feels good and is not slowing down. So we will see what happens.”
CTL: What's your favorite food?
Danny Mac: “I have to eat healthy, so I eat a lot of whole wheat products. I like brown rice, chicken, and Island Grill. Sometimes I will still eat my ackee and salt-fish [Jamaica’s national dish].”
CTL:
Who is your favorite musician and what music do you listen to?
Danny Mac: “I love conscious–minded Reggae music, so I listen to Luciano, Jah Cure, Natural Black and Morgan Heritage. I also like I Wayne’s Book of Life, which I think is the best album ever. I also like Twins of Twins and Sizzla.”