Marlon Devonish

Marlon Ronald Devonish (born 1 June 1976) is an English former sprinter who competed in the 100 metres and 200 metres. A prodigious relay runner with particular strength as a 'bend' runner, Devonish ran the third leg for the Great Britain quartet which won the 4 × 100 metres at the 2004 Olympic Games, and won four World Championship medals in the same event in 1999, 2005, 2007 and 2009. Quotes I love competing against the best in the world, I thrive off it. I've raced against Bolt before. He's a bit of a joker – he likes to enjoy himself, so there will be a lot of banter. On a serious note, though, the 150 is good for training, so I'm looking at how it will be benefit me. I'm going to hit it really hard to get me closer to race fitness. Of course I want to go there and win. I don't think Bolt will be in 9.6 shape yet – and he's had a car accident as well. I had tired legs and I ran 10.11, so I thought wow! It was my first race, in early April too, I haven't raced that early in years. I think when anyone does anything special in athletics people think, how's he doing it? I'm sure those athletes, like myself, are scrutinising and analysing how he's done it. That's part and parcel of the sport moving on. He's stepped out of 'the group' so to speak so it's up to the rest of us now to move forward. It's exciting and it's what the sport needs. It's quite phenomenal [the speed], and I think that's missed, especially on TV. Bolt being associated with this obviously means he's interested in that as well. Millions have seen his Olympic races, but now they can see it first hand and get a real feel for it. Marlon Devonish spoiling to beat Usain Bolt in Manchester 150m street race, May 13 2009 My main tips for getting the baton around safely would be that there would be a checkmark on the track... so it is important that the outgoing athletes are aware as soon as the incoming athletes hit that mark, they then run out as hard as they possibly can and just need a steady hand. "All I would say is keep it simple, have a steady hand and go on the mark. When you are waiting for that baton, your heart is pumping; it's in your mouth. It is a weird situation, it is daunting. When you hear the gun you just react to it so at that point you just wait. You're having to hold your nerve and you've got your eye on that checkmark. You're supposed to be nervous but at the same time you can't let your nerves overwhelm you; you don't want to make silly mistakes which are really easy to do because the pressure is so high. When we (GB) get it right our baton skills are one of the best in the world. We must have good changeovers though,The Americans and Jamaicans are, of course, the main competitors. I think, with the Jamaicans, if they execute their race as well as they possibly can, they should win, with America second but it will be quite close. The third spot will be between Great Britain, Trinidad and France. It will be whoever executes their race properly and takes advantage of the changeovers. Don't drop it!, August 10 2012 External links Category:Track and field athletes Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from England Category:Olympic gold medalists