USA Versus The World Competition At Penn Relays Saturday
by Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The USA vs. The World competition at the Penn Relays is Saturday. The star athletes are in town and ready to renew rivalries. KYW's Mike Dougherty reports.
The Penn Relays attract some of the world's most accomplished sprinters, and they say running in front of the crowd here is like nothing else on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Four time Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix can't wait to lace up her shoes and put on a show against the Jamaican team in this one of a kind event.
"What's so unique about it is the crowd, especially here in America where you don't get large crowds for track and field. It's so lively."
One of her opponents is Jamaican gold medalist Sally-Ann Fraser-Price. She enjoys coming here and meeting the young athletes who look up to her.
"When we interact with them, they say they want to be like us and they want to run fast. But of course, we have to tell them that running fast is one thing but it takes a lot of hard work and disclipline."
Doc Patton, a two-time Olympic silver medalist, started running in the Penn Relays in 2000.
"First one, I'll never forget how loud it gets in the Woo Corner. Every year I get more excited to participate."
Being here as a member of team USA is a dream come true for Phoebe Wright, who first competed in the relays as a college runner.
"When you're on the field, wearing a Tennessee jersey and you look at the USA jersey and you think 'these guys are superstars and I really want to be one of them one day.'"
Giving advice to young athletes is one of her favorite parts of the event. The right attitude, she says, is the key to improvement.
The USA swept all six races last year.
