Paris Diamond League...Let's Go!!!

After some adventurous travel to get out to Paris, I arrived safe and sound on Tuesday morning. Paris is one of my favorite cities in the world!

I haven't been to this competition since 2007, where I finished 5th place in a time of 13.27, the race was won by Dayron Robles in 13.13. Speaking of Robles, this meet was suppose to be our second match-up of the season. We've both been hitting our stride lately, he's progressed from 13.12 to 13.08 to a present seasons best of 13.01 and my season has been going strong as well.

Unfortunately, he has sustained a hamstring injury similar to the one that knocked him out of the World Championships last season. He's a great competitor and champion and I hope the injury he has sustained is not a season threatening one.

Of course in my press conference I was asked about his absence a couple of times, but the answer is very simple, at the end of the day, I'm only racing those ten barriers and no matter who is in the race, I have to handle my business.

With his absence, it opened up a lane for my friend and training partner Joel Brown. Another one of my training partners, Dwight Thomas was already in the meet, so it's been cool kicking it with the fellas. Brooks is here as well, so training has felt a little back to normal.


Another question that everybody wants to ask is about the world record. This is pretty funny to me, people act like you just wake up in the morning, stretch your arms to the sky and when you finish your morning yawn say "Um, I think I'm going to break the world record today". I tell them, it's the world record for a reason, you don't decide you're just going to run a time that fast, if that was the case, I would have done it several years ago!

I'm super excited and ready for the competition. I don't get nervous for meets, but my crunk level gets off the charts. I just have to bottle it up and conserve some of that nervous energy. Brooks always says the day that I can find a way to do that, I'll run 12.60 LOL.

The meet hotel is steps from the Eiffel Tower and is a very nice spot. I haven't went out and done any type of sightseeing, but I'll be here for a few more days, so I'll get it in on Saturday and Sunday.

I ran tomorrow night at 9pm local time, 3pm eastern. Universal sports will be providing great coverage of the meet as usual. I hope you all tune in, there will be great performances for sure!