All systems are go.
Maurice Greene, the world’s fastest human being, says he’s ready, willing and able to run in today’s Kansas Relays.
Greene, world record holder in the indoor 60 and outdoor 100, practiced handoffs for an hour with 400 relay teammates Chris Johnson, Ato Bolden and Brian Howard on Friday on Hershberger Track at Memorial Stadium.
Greene also signed autographs for 45 minutes and insisted he definitely would run in today’s 400 relay, scheduled for 3:32 p.m.
The squad’s main competition will come from a Nike Central team of Tim Harden, Travis Grant, David Oaks and Wendell Gaskin.
“I just want to have fun,” Greene said. “The last time I was here I don’t think anybody knew me. I was in high school. Now I’m a professional. It’s always good to be home. This is home, where I grew up.”
Kansas City Schlagle graduate Greene, who is slated to anchor the relay, hopes his appearance today bolsters the image of track and field.
“I am in this sport for one thing because I love it,” Greene said. “The sport isn’t real big around here. Hopefully I can draw attention to it. The kids were smothering me yesterday (at reception at KC Schlagle). I thought I was back in Europe.”
Greene scratched from events the past two weekends at the Mt. Sac Relays in California and the Texas Relays. He had some tightness in the hamstring.
“If my hamstring was bothering me I wouldn’t be out here now. I’ll run,” Greene said.
A marquee women’s team of Passion Richardson, Anjanette Kirklund, Inger Miller and Tori Edwards will run in the 400 relay at 3:25 p.m.
Also, KU’s Charlie Gruber today will try to run a sub-four minute mile. That race will start at 3:55 p.m.
