Question: What do you think the chances are of equaling or breaking the WR on this Indianapolis surface?

Answer: If the weather is nice, nice enough to give me maybe a 1.5, somewhere around there, I think it is very possible I could break the world record. I try not to think about it; I just want to go out there and run. But I think it’s a possibility if the weather is fair because I’ve been practicing well, ran some fast times in practice, and I’m healthy.

Q: At one time Michael Johnson’s 200m WR seemed out of reach. Can you and Wallace Spearmon and Walter Dix and the others now start chasing not only each other but that 19.32?

A: I think so, there’s been talk about the 200 record more often this year. I believe Walter Dix put the icing on the cake. Another guy ran 19.6. I believe Wallace Spearmon, Xavier Carter and myself feel pressure to run faster considering the time he ran. I think it’s very possible. You go back and look at Michael’s race, he had Frankie (Fredericks) and Ato (Boldon) in those race and they ran extremely fast times.  I believe all of us are capable of running just as fast or faster.

Q: What specifically did you do to improve your start this year?

A: A lot of it has to do with confidence and learning how to perfect the drive phase, which is the first 30 to 40 meters of the race. I used to just listen to the gun and go. Now I’m starting to anticipate the gun and work on reaction time in practice. Also learning how to be patient, that and confidence have taken me a long way this year. That’s helped me with my start a lot.

Q: You’re a national champion now with Justin’s positive drug test. Do you feel cheated of the moment last year? Does it seem strange not having Justin here?

A: No, it doesn’t seem strange not having him here. Track and field is still going to go on every year with or without him. But I think anybody would feel slightly cheated, being able to wave to the fans, being able to have that victory with your family and friends there and that support that you have. You’re not able to get that moment back crossing the line first. That’s the part that you wish you could get back.

Q: How would you assess the state of U.S. sprinting in Justin’s absence?

A: Great. Even better. I think what Walter Dix did, the fastest time in the world right now. People are running faster, myself I ran two (wind-aided) 9.7s this year, so I really believe that it’s getting better.

Q: On paper which is harder to get, the 100 or 200 record?

A: The 200 record.

Q: Can anyone break the 100-meter record without a great start?

A: Yes I believe so. The reason I need a better start, not necessarily a great start, is so it will be easier to break the world record. That’s why I’m working with Jon Drummond. I believe I can break the world record without him but I want it to be easier, I want my starts to be better, I want to be with the pack once the gun is shot. In my eyes, it’s always better to have a great finish than a great start.

Q: Which do you like better, the 100 or the deuce?

A: I go back and forth, but this year it’s the 100-meter dash. I’ve had a lot of excitement around the two 9.7s I ran so that’s really gotten me excited to want to run faster in the 100-meter dash, so I’m looking forward to running the 100.

Q: Tyson, talk about the personal side, what you dream of doing, where you are now and where you hope this dream takes you?

A: This year I’ve really been thinking about the World Championships and the Olympics. A few years ago I tried out for the Olympic Trials and ended up pulling up in the finals of the 200 and third place I think was 20.3. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to make the team, and that really hurt me a lot. Then I came in fourth in the World Championships and that hurt even more. This year I’m looking forward to the World Champs and the Olympics and the world record; everything has been on my mind this year because I’ve been having so much success early this year. My 200 I opened up 19.97, my 100 I opened up 9.79. It’s been a goal of mine to stay consistent and focus on these three goals.

Q: Do you think that Asafa Powell was pretty comfortable for awhile and that he’s changed his mind this year?

A: Yes, I would have been pretty comfortable. There was no one even close to touching him. I read an article yesterday that he’s still the greatest sprinter out there right now, he’s still number one to beat so I’m pretty sure he’s still confident.

Q: You said you could run 19.4. How fast can you run 100? Six? Five?

A: To be honest with you I’ve had some pretty good practices. Talking to Jon Drummond about my start; he knows a lot about breaking down 10-meter segments, he has my splits from Zurich last year and Asafa’s splits and he feels that I’ve been breaking some of the laws of track and field where you accelerate to 60 meters and then maintain. He believes that I can accelerate to 70 meters and hold my top end longer than anybody else. That saying he believes, and myself, that I can run maybe 9.73 or faster.

Q: Or faster?

A: Yes sir.

Q: Are you anxious to meet Asafa Powell?

A: Yes I am. I’m first looking forward to USAs, don’t jump the gun.