“I am faster, I am stronger, and I am in the best shape of my life,” declared USA sprinting sensation Mike Rodgers. “I also plan to be on the podium in London.”
The 26-yr-old Texas resident is coming off a disappointed end to his 2011 season that saw him test positive for methylhexaneamie, a banned stimulant and main ingredient in several pre-workout supplements and energy drinks. He then took a provisional suspension and withdrew from the 2011 World Championships in Daegu.
Prior to the violation, Rodgers was having the best season of his career, running a 100m personal best of 9.85secs in Eugene, Oregon in June, which included his name in discussion, as a medal contender in Daegu.
Missed
Opportunity
He was also an integral part of the USA’s men 4x1 relay team and believes his absence may have affected the team’s chemistry, which caused the mishap coming into the third exchange.
“I learned my lesson, and it [my action] cost me dearly,” Rodgers reflected. “I had to stay home and watch the World Championships on television. I saw the team drop the baton, and that was so disappointing for me. I felt if I was there, then that would not have happened.”
His Inspiration
“I have to stay away from the clubs,” said Rodgers, who is determined to be a positive role model to his three-month-old son, Braylon. He is my inspiration; in addition, I have to put food on the table.”
Another source of energy for the Darryl Woodson-coached sprinter who plays basketball and flag football during the off-season, is the buzz from the crowd that gets his adrenaline going. It is what he likes most about competing.
At this point, Rodgers is focusing on changing things this upcoming season and is confident that he and his USA relay teammate will get the baton exchanges right for London 2012, so that they can challenge the Jamaicans.
Training Hard
Regarding his preparation for London, Rodgers said: “I am training very hard; I want to be on the podium, so I know it’s going to take 9.74 to do so. I have to get my body to sub-9.80 shape, so I have been doing some new things in training. I have been running more 300m and 400m to improve my strength.”
And as Rodgers takes his training seriously, he’s aware of the fierce competition, noting that other athletes were doing very well, such as Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who ran 19.26 for the 200m in Brussels, in September.