Announcer (“A”):

Hi we’re live back again at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta at the CODA short track meet in the Fall of the year 2002 and we’re here talking with Stephen Gough, coach of the U.S. Short Track Team, he works with Rusty Smith, Apolo Anton Ohno, Shani Davis and all these great guys here today. How has your experience been this weekend so far Steve?

Stephen Gough (“SG”):

We’ve been pretty satisfied with the performance of the skaters. Obviously trying to train and race and prep for the rest of the season but seen some personal best times and US records . . . surprised with a few performances, a few other people are right where we expect them so we’re pretty happy. 

A: I especially like the work that Alex Izykowski did out there today and JP Kepka. Were you surprised to see him challenging Scholten like he did yesterday?

SG: Well in Izy’s case or Alex’s case, we know his strongest events in the distance is the 1500 and the 1000. We’re quite surprised actually that he skated that well yesterday . . . Friday and also today in the 3000. Alex had mono this spring so we’ve been a little conservative in his training. Obviously when you skate that well technically and you’re that efficient it makes things a lot easier.  JP’s case, not really that surprised. He performed well at the World Championships last year and he’s one of these guys that can really go. He’s got that first lap and half, two laps. I was real happy actually that he was in that race and was following Jeff and had a chance to see his track and try to make a pass at that speed. I know very well that JP can go from the gun and just take off. He did that in his first 500 yesterday but today… the second one with Jeff it was nice to see him following, make the pass, it would’ve been nice to see him stand up in the last corner but well next time.

A: And as far as the guys you don’t have with you here today, I’m sure a lot of people want to know how’s Apolo Anton Ohno doing and how are Rusty Smith doing. What’s a . . .what are your results . . . how’s the training going?

SG: Well in Rusty’s case I’m not too certain actually. He’s training out of Los Angeles. He stayed home this year. He’s been in the training centers for about six seasons so he’s taking a well deserved break and I think he’s doing some appearances. I’m pretty sure he’ll be ready though. I saw him at a training camp this summer and he was fit. And Apolo’s case, he’s also been doing some appearances but he has trained. . . if someone thinks he’s been laying around getting fat . . .  definitely not the case. And based on how our other guys are doing here it gives me a little more . . . even more confident how Apolo’s going to perform in two weeks at the Can Am and then later on at the World Cups.

A: All right, so your first meet with Apolo will be the Can Am and where is that. 

SG: That will be in Montreal at the Maurice Richard October 25, 26 and 27. I’m looking forward to it. The guys in . . .Robillard . . . the guys here that have been setting the world records will be there. Should be a very high class meet. All potentially getting in the semi-finals and finals we’re talking World Cup caliber skaters and it’ll be good, I’m looking forward to it.

A:  Now U.S. Speedskating has decided for budget reasons to keep the guys home from Korea and China. Now there are those who might be a little skeptical of that and wonder if some of the issues with Apolo Ohno’s unpopularity in Korea might have something to do with that or not but having seen the books I also believe the budget story but if . . . let me ask you this, if a benevolent stranger opened up his wallet and gave you guys $50,000 to go to Korea and China would you think about going?

SG:  No. [laughs] We’re a . . . obviously the budget is a big part of it. The thing . . . the whole issue with Apolo and Korea is sort of secondary to the fact that, with the Olympics being in the U.S. last year there’s a lot of pressure on our athletes and we really . . . we didn’t see the need or feel it was important to really rush to prepare for World Cup level competition this early. We wanted to give our athletes a chance to unwind both physically and mentally. Extra time to get that training in that we still need. If the athletes take April, May, part of June off and then we still have to get ready for October, we pay for it at the end of the year. So we want to make sure we do things right this year. The World Championships is a focus and like I said the World Cups. We’ll get our chances in the World Cups later on in the year in December and in February. 

A: All right, well thanks a lot Stephen. This is Stephen Gough the coach of the U.S. Short Track team in Colorado Springs. He works with all the athletes from all over the country. Thanks a lot Stephen.

SG: Well, my pleasure.