In this comprehensive two-part interview Dr. Stellingwerf discusses basic nutritional strategies for athletes at all levels as well as supplementation, ergogenic aids and recovery issues relating to sports performance. Part 1 focuses primarily on basic nutritional concepts for all athletes and part 2 on nutrition for the high performance athlete. For athletes and coaches with nutritional concerns or those simply looking for basic nutritional information, this interview is a must. 


Dr. Jitka Vinduskova
Olympic Coach, Youth Development Expert
Interview Date: November 4, 2007
Duration: 39:55 mins
File Size: 37MB
Estimated Download Time: 5 mins

Download: MP3 / WMA




Dr. Jitka Vinduskova is an internationally renowned expert in combined events training and youth development in athletics. She is the vice dean in the faculty of physical education and sport at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic as well as an expert in the areas of kinanthropology and the pedagogical aspects of sport research, specifically the didactical aspects of youth training and biomechanics of athletics. She has been involved in many research teams studying youth development and the sport activities of children and is a member of the methodical commission of the Czech athletic federation, the Czech Kinanthropic Association and the Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education and Sport.

In this interview, conducted at the 2007 EACA conference, Dr. Vinduskova discusses the Czech sport model, specifically its structure for developing youth talent and its system of sport classes, gymnasiums and high performance centers. As well she gives her perspective on the differences, similarities and challenges common to the Canadian and Czech sport culture such as recruitment, obesity and competition among sports. This interview is for all of those interested in how sport is organized in Eastern Europe and the development of youth in athletics.

Derrick Adkins
Olympian
Interview Date: June 18, 2007
Duration: 31:23 mins
File Size: 29MB
Est. Download Time: 5 minutes

Download: MP3 / WMA

A New York native, Derrick Adkins was the 1995 World Champion and the 1996 Olympic Champion in the 400 metre hurdles. He was also a two time US Champion at 400 metre hurdles and ended his professional career in 1999 with a best time of 47.54. Derrick has a degree in engineering from Georgia Tech and is currently the Director of the Armory Track and Field Foundation in upper Manhattan New York City. Prior to his Directorship Derrick was an Assistant Coach at Columbia University in New York.

The Armory Track and Field Foundation is a not-for-profit initiative begun in 1993 and is committed to serving the youth of New York City by promoting excellence and fitness through a broad range of athletic, educational and community programs. In this interview Derrick discusses his own career as well as the mission and history of the Armory. The story of the Armory is one of hope, community outreach and helping kids achieve their dreams. It is an outstanding example of how track and field can establish its relevance as a sport for all in communities around the world.

Dan Pfaff – Olympic Coach
Interview Date: August 27, 2007
Duration Part I: 45:13 mins
Duration Part II: 37:21 mins
File Size: 41MB / 34MB

Est Download Time: 7 minutes

Download Part I: MP3 / WMA (PV Techniques)

Download Part II: MP3 / WMA (HJ Techniques)


Coach Dan Pfaff is widely regarded as one of the world’s top track and field coaches, having coached 33 Olympians to seven medals and 45 World Championships performers to ten medals. Among these are Donovan Bailey (1996 Olympic double-gold medalist, WR Holder, 100m), Bruny Surin (1996 Olympic gold medalist, 4 x 100m relay, 1999 World Championships silver medalist, 100m), Obadele Thompson (2000 Olympic bronze medalist, 100m), and high jumper Mark Boswell (1999 World Championships silver medalist, 2003 WC bronze medalist). Most recently his list of successes includes Brad Walker, the 2007 Osaka World Championships gold medalist in the men’s pole vault.

In this two-part interview coach Pfaff offers his views on pole vault and high jump techniques including approach, take-off and clearance mechanics. Included in this is a discussion of his work with Dr. James Hay on visual steering for jumpers as well as what to look for in a potential vaulter or high jumper. Vertical jumps coaches will not want to miss this unique opportunity to sit down and listen to one of the sport’s pre-eminent biomechanists talk shop.


Kari Ihalainen
Olympic Coach
Interview Date: August 27, 2007
Duration: 52:03 mins
File Size: 48MB

Download: MP3 / WMA

Kari Ihalainen is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in the javelin throw in the world today. Now a resident of the USA, Kari was for more than 15 years the head javelin coach for Finland. During that period, the Finnish program earned 13 Olympic, World and European Championships medals from such athletes as Seppo Raty, Kimmo Kinnunen, Aki Parviainen and Mikaela Ingberg.

In this live in-person interview taken at the Osaka World Championships, Kari discusses his own coaching history, Finnish javelin training and technique, youth development in the javelin and why the Finns have such a great history of the event. Also included is a guest appearance by Scott Russell, the Canadian Record holder in the javelin. This is a unique opportunity for coaches of any event to see inside one of the great systems in athletics from the perspective of one of it's truly great coaches.

Jama Aden
Coach and Former Olympian
Interview Date: June 14, 2007
Duration: 37:47 mins
File Size: 35MB 

Download: MP3 / WMA

Jama Aden was born and raised in Somalia. In 1980 he went to Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey at age 17 on a track scholarship knowing fewer than a dozen words of English. Seven years later he not only had his BA from FDU but also a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from George Mason University. Over that same period, Jama was just as successful as an athlete. He represented Somalia in the 1500 metres at the 1983 World Championships, where he was also captain of the team, and in 1984 he became an Olympian, running the 1500 metres in Los Angeles. He is a multiple sub four-minute miler with a best time of 3:56.82. A national hero, Jama has inspired countless other Somalians to pursue athletics, most notably Abdi Bile the 1987 1500 metre World Champion who Jama coached between 1988 and 1990. Currently Jama is an independent coach after having held national coaching positions in Sudan, Oman and Kuwait. He has worked with many Olympic and World Championship finalists in distances from 400 metres to 10,000 metres. He has also coached numerous medal winners at the Youth and Junior World Championship level. Jama is truly an international figure in athletics who speaks three languages and travels the world with his athletes; he is uniquely qualified to comment on various global trends in athletics and coaching and in this fascinating interview he discusses the politics and potential of athlete development in Africa and the Gulf states, the role of IAAF in fostering athletics in developing countries and the theory and science underpinning his training philosophy.

Al Oerter

Olympic Athlete, Artist

Interview Date: June 8, 2007

Duration: 51:01 mins

File Size: 47MB

Download: MP3 / WMA






 

Four times Olympic Champion, four times Olympic Record holder, four times World Record holder and five times American Record holder… Al Oerter has done it all in athletics over a career that spanned well beyond 20 years, a combination of success and longevity virtually unparalleled in track and field history. His winning of four consecutive Olympic Games in the discus throw is considered one of the great achievements in Olympic history.

In this compelling interview the self-taught Olympian thrower discusses his early days of athletics, how he began throwing, the pros of being self-coached as well as what motivated him to keep competing for as long as he did. He also gives his views on his love for throwing the discus, his technique, today’s Olympic competition and his work as an artist that drives him these days. This interview is loaded with history, insight and anecdotes from one of the greatest competitors our sport has ever seen.

Terrence Mahon
Coach: Team Running USA
Interview Date: June 4, 2007
Duration: 33:27 mins
File Size: 37MB 

Download: MP3 / WMA

Terrence Mahon, a native Californian, graduated from Villanova University in 1993 where he was an eight-time All-American in Cross Country, Indoor & Outdoor Track. Terrence then joined the Enclave, an Olympic Development training group in Washington D.C. During that period he was the US 20k Road Champion and in 1997 ran 2:13:02 at the Chicago Marathon. In 2001 Terrence joined Team Running USA and finished up his professional running career under the tutelage of esteemed coaches Joe Vigil and Bob Larsen. Coach Vigil served as Terrence’s mentor for four years at which time Terrence was brought on as a coach for Team Running USA. He is now coaching, among others, Deena Drossin, the woman’s American record-holder in the marathon and Ryan Hall, whose recent marathon debut in London this past April produced a stunning 2:08.24.

In this interview Terrence talks about the development of the very successful Team USA model for developing distance runners. He explains his progression from athlete to coach and how he manages the many complex facets that go into producing a world class endurance performance. Terrence also discusses his many influences including how Clyde Hart, legendary sprint coach of Michael Johnson and now Jeremy Wariner influenced his thinking about coaching distance runners.

Irving “Boo” Schexnayder
Olympic Coach
Interview Date: April 6, 2007
Duration: 54:47 mins
File Size: 51MB 

Download: MP3 / WMA

American coach Irving “Boo” Schexnayder from Louisiana State University has risen to become one of the top horizontal jumps coaches in the world today, and is the personal coach to two-time World Triple Jump Champion Walter Davis and 2004 Olympic Silver medalist in the long jump John Moffit. In addition, as a collegiate coach he has coached 10 athletes to 19 individual NCAA titles. Schexnayder is renowned for his methodical and scientific approach to athlete development and is a highly respected clinician and teacher.

In this superb interview Schexnayder discusses in depth his views on long and triple jump techniques, particularly as they apply to the take off in both jumps. As well he gives an excellent overview on sprint / runway mechanics and offers his approach to training and planning and periodization. This interview is one of the best in our archive for those interested in biomechanics and training for the sprints and jumps.

Doug Clement
Olympic Athlete, Coach, Doctor, Builder
Interview Date: April 4, 2007
Duration: 71:29 mins
File Size 65MB

Download: MP3 / WMA

Dr. Doug Clement is one of the most influential figures in Canadian sport and an icon in athletics in Canada. His enormous impact on the sport has been felt in numerous ways: Olympic athlete, sport medical researcher, co-founder of the first Canadian sports medicine clinic at the University of British Columbia, father of one of Canada’s strongest clubs, and one of the most successful coaches in our history producing numerous Olympians and national team members. He is also the founder of the Achilles Track Society, the organization that created the Harry Jerome International track and field competition and the Vancouver Sun Run.

In this interview the 1988 Olympic Team head coach reflects upon his early involvement in athletics, his career as an athlete under mentor Bill Bowerman, his views on training and how this has evolved over the last five decades. As well he discusses the creation of the Achilles Society, his work with the Harry Jerome and Vancouver Sun Run, the challenges our sport faces today and what we can do to overcome them. This interview is loaded with insight from a man who has been everywhere and seen it all in athletics and one you won’t want to miss.

Gary Winckler

Olympic Coach

Interview Date: March 14, 2007

Duration: 65:44 mins

File Size: 61MB

Download File: MP3 / WMA

Coach Gary Winckler is the pre-eminent hurdles coach in the US, and one of the top coaches in the world today. His technical knowledge is regarded internationally in the sprints and hurdles, and since 1992 ten athletes under his direction have competed in every World Championships and Olympic Games and won medals of every color. Among these include Yvonne Harrison, Tonya Buford-Bailey and 2003 World Champion Perdita Felicien.

In this amazing interview the Illinois women’s head coach discusses his development as a hurdles coach, hurdle training and program design, as well as his views on athlete preparation for major international events. He also discusses at length his ideas on hurdle technique development, the importance of the take-off in hurdling and the differences in technique development between men and women, as well as sprint and long hurdlers. Packed with information for the sprint / hurdles coach, this interview is mandatory listening for those interested in succeeding in the sprints and hurdles.

Henk Kraaijenhof

Olympic Coach, The Netherlands

Interview Date: February 29, 2007

Duration: 52:36 mins / 52:03 mins

File Size: 48MB / 47MB

Download Part I: MP3 / WMA

Download Part II: MP3 / WMA

Henk Kraaijenhof, P.T., B.A. is a performance consultant to international elite athletes in athletics, speed-skating, volleyball, bobsleigh, triathlon, fencing, archery, swimming, tennis, handball and soccer. He has coached individuals and teams to national success in Olympic and world level competition including sprinters Nelli Cooman, Merlene Ottey and Troy Douglas. He is currently technical director of Nemesis BV, a company that develops and sells hi-tech training and measuring systems for sports in the Netherlands. He has published work in performance, training systems and protocols for elite athletes and has also conducted research in the development and application of scientific training systems as well as being involved in scientific research projects in human sports performance in Norway, Estonia, Italy and the Netherlands.

In part one of this intriguing interview, Henk discusses his background in coaching, his individualistic training methodology, the differences in approaches to training for various athletes and the development of speed, strength and power for sprinters.

In part two he gives his thoughts on the psychology of sprinters, coaching development in the Netherlands and various sport science tools and technology for coaches such as the Nemes vibration platform and the Omegawave system for athlete recovery monitoring. For speed and sport science fans this interview is a must-listen.



Henry Rono

Olympic Athlete, Kenya

Multiple WR Holder

Interview Date: April 12, 2007

Duration: 32:22 mins

File Size: 30MB

Est. Download Time: 5 Minutes

Download: MP3 / WMA

Henry Rono’s famous assault on the middle distance record books over an 81 day period in 1978 is considered by many to be the greatest athletics performance of all time. In that period, he broke world records in four different events: 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m. But his story goes far beyond this phenomenal feat and into a world of alcoholism, homelessness and then recovery. He is now back running after a 20+ year absence from the track and training for the world masters championships in 2007.

In this phenomenal interview Rono discusses growing up in Kenya, his experience at the ’76 Olympics, the destruction of his career and life due to alcoholism and the subsequent road to recovery from it. He also talks about what makes Kenyan athletes so special and reflects upon his incredible life and career. This is one interview any fan of athletics, regardless of event, will not want to miss.

Haile Gebrselassie

Olympic Athlete, Ethiopia

Multiple WR Holder
Olympic & World Champion

Interview Date: April 4, 2007

Duration: 14:38 mins

File Size: 14MB

Est. Download Time: 5 minutes

Download: MP3 / WMA

Haile Gebrselassie is considered by many to be the greatest long distance runner of all time. His achievements include two Olympic Gold Medals over 10,000m (Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000) and four consecutive World Championships over 10,000m (1993, 1995, 1997, 1999). He has set multiple world records over his track career and continues his record setting ways today on the road. Gebrselassie is also the CEO of his own construction company and he lives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with his wife Alem and their four children.

In this special interview by Dr. Jim Denison, Canadian Athletics Coaching Centre Academic Liason and author of “The Greatest – The Haile Gebrselassie Story,” Gebrselassie discusses his preparations for the 2007 London marathon, athlete and coaching development in Ethiopia and the secret behind the success of Ethiopian distance runners. This is a truly great opportunity for fans of endurance to see inside the mind of one of the greatest athletes ever to step on a track. 

Paul Doyle

Olympic Coach,

President – Doyle Management

Interview Date: March 3, 2007

Duration: 62:32 mins

File Size: 57MB

Est. Download Time: 5 Minutes

Download: MP3 / WMA

Paul Doyle graduated from UMass in 1994 with a degree in Exercise Science and completed his Masters in Physiology in 1996. He competed in college as a multi-eventer and it was there he also began his coaching career. He furthered his experience at Emory University and in 1998 co-founded the Speed Dynamics Atlanta training group with sports science guru Loren Seagrave.

By 2000 Paul had coached Olympic athletes from 12 different countries, including Olympic Champion Pauline Davis of the Bahamas, as well as multiple World Champions and World Record Holders. He founded Doyle Management in 1999 to represent some of the athletes he was coaching. His dedication to always serve their best interests quickly made him one of the most highly sought-after representatives in professional level track and field management.  Paul now represents some of the world’s top track and field athletes including Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson, Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa and Bryan Clay.

In this interview Paul reflects on his early involvement in athletics, how he got started in coaching and how he became an agent. He discusses his work with Asafa Powell, the importance of a good manager and the coach / agent relationship. He also offers his advice for athletes on how to find an agent to suit their needs. This interview is a must-listen for those interested in the business side of athletics.

Wynn Gmitroski

Olympic Coach

Head Coach: National Endurance Centre (BC)

Interview Date: February 4, 2007

Duration: 51:20 mins / 33:45 mins

File Size: 47MB / 31MB

Est. Download Time: 5 minutes

Download Part I: MP3 / WMA

Download Part II: MP3 / WMA

Wynn Gmitroski has coached most of Canada’s top middle distance runners over the past 15 years, including Angela Chalmers (1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 3000m), Diane Cummins (Canadian Record Holder and 2001 World Championships finalist, 800m) and Gary Reed (Canadian Record Holder and 2005 World Championships finalist, 800m).

In part one of this interview, Wynn discusses his early involvement in athletics and coaching as well as his thoughts on strength development for middle distance runners, speed endurance development for the 800m, and periodization.

Part two of the interview begins with him discussing the expectations he places upon the athletes under his charge and why these are so important. He then moves on to discuss his work with Gary Reed and why he is the Canadian Record holder, including Reed’s strengths and weaknesses. He describes the sport science / para-medical support web he has created for his athletes and ends with his thoughts on the current coaching model in Canada. Endurance coaches and athletes alike will find this interview full of advice and insight from one of the world’s great middle distance coaches.

Adam Nelson
2005 World Champion: Shot Put
Interview Date: February 16, 2007
Duration: 44:43 mins / 37:42 mins
File Size: 41MB / 35MB
Est. Download Time: 5 minutes

Download Part I: MP3 / WMA
Download Part II: MP3 / WMA

Adam Nelson is arguably the most successful American athlete of the past half-decade in athletics and one of the greatest shot putters of all time. He is the only American to have medaled in the past five major championships (Sydney, Edmonton, Paris, Athens, and Helsinki) and in 2005 was the gold medalist at the Helsinki World Championships. 

In part one of this captivating interview, the outspoken Nelson discusses his early days in the sport of track and field, his athleticism and how this has contributed to his success, as well as his views on early athlete development and his exceptional competitive psyche.

In part two, the Dartmouth graduate goes in-depth into his unique technical style and how it was developed, his views on training for the shot put and his opinions on performance enhancing drugs in athletics and in particular his chosen event. For athletes and coaches at any level this interview is sure to open eyes into the kind of focus and dedication it takes to become a world champion athlete.

Andy Higgins
Olympic Coach
Director - National Coaching Institute (Ontario)
Interview Date: January 23, 2007
Duration: 64 mins / 51 mins
File Size: 59MB / 47MB
Est. Download Time: 5 minutes


Download Part I: MP3 / WMA
Download Part II: MP3 / WMA



Coach Higgins is one of the most successful athletics coaches in Canadian history, producing some of Canada’s most successful combined events athletes, including Dave Steen (Olympic Bronze Medalist, 1988), Mike Smith (3 time World Championships Medalist, Canadian Record Holder - 8626 pts.), Catherine Bond - Mills (Former Canadian Record Holder, Heptathlon) and Jill Ross - Giffen (Former Canadian Record Holder, Heptathlon). He was the head coach of the former National Combined Events Centre at the University of Toronto and is currently the director of the Ontario National Coaching Institute.

In part one of this interview coach Higgins discusses his current role at the NCI, as well as the importance of physical preparation in combined events training, including his ideas on the development of speed and strength for a decathlete in the context of the development of the whole athlete. He also reflects of his work with Dave Steen and Michael Smith and what it takes to become a successful athlete in the combined events.

In part two the 1992 Canadian Olympic head coach offers his opinions on the current state of coaching development in Canada, its strengths and weaknesses, and what can be done to improve coaching development nationally. As well, he emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership in our sport and the impact this has for coaches at all levels. This interview is an invaluable listen-to for coaches of all ranks and offers great insight into the ideas of one of our sport's great leaders.



  Don Babbitt
  Olympic Coach
  University of Georgia : Throws Coach
  Interview Date: January 24, 2007
  Duration: 42:01 mins / 31:42 mins
  File Size: 39MB / 29MB
  Est. Download Time: 5 minutes
  
  Download Part I: MP3 / WMA
  Download Part II: MP3 / WMA



Coach Don Babbitt is one of the world’s premier throws coaches, having coached eight Olympians in the throwing events in 2004. His stable of current and former athletes include shot putters Adam Nelson (22.51m - 2 time Olympic Silver Medalist, 2005 World Champion) and Reese Hoffa (22.11m - 2006 World Indoor Champion), Javelin thrower Breaux Greer (87.68m – American Record Holder, 7 time US Champion) as well as International athletes Brad Snyder (Canadian Record Holder - Shot Put), Jason Tunks (Canadian Record Holder - Discus), Andras Haklits (Croatian Record Holder – Hammer), Lieja Tunks (Netherlands – Shot Put) and Greta Etholm – Snyder (Norway – Discus).

In part one of this interview coach Babbitt discusses his personal coaching development and influences on his coaching career. He describes in depth his work with Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa, and Breaux Greer as well as the challenges and highlights of working with international athletes within the NCAA system. 

In part two the coach of both the 1996 indoor and 1995 outdoor world champions gives in detail a portrait of his coaching methodology and philosophy, in particular his views on absolute and specific strength training for throwers. As well he gives his opinion on Canadian throwers within the NCAA system and their strengths / weaknesses relative to their American counterparts. This interview is a must-listen to for all throws coaches.