Shawn Crawford Gold Medal, 200M

Eastbay:Eastbay has chosen you to be on the cover of its January catalog. How does it feel to be a role model to millions of young runners?

Shawn Crawford:It feels really good. I don’t think anyone really ever aspires to be a role model. It’s just something that happens. I feel blessed to be a role model and have people look up to me. It makes me want to straighten every wrinkle in my life because of how I influence the young people who look up to me.

EB:What advice do you have for high school sprinters who dream of competing in the Olympics?

SC:Never take no for an answer, from anybody. If you believe you can do it, you can do it. Just get out there and do it.

EB:What do you look for in a track spike?

SC:Comfort. I like a spike that molds to my foot. It needs to be comfortable, lightweight and feel natural, like I don’t have a shoe on.

EB:The Nike Monster Fly is now available at Eastbay. How does this spike improve your performance?

SC:The shoe is more efficient and makes it easier to maintain my sprint form.

EB:What future goals have you set for yourself?

SC:To break world records.

EB:How has winning the 200 meters in Athens changed your life?

SC:It did not really change my life that much.

EB:Awesome win, but how did friend and training partner Justin Gatlin react to being denied an Olympic sprint double?

SC:It was no reaction. He was proud that I won the 200 — he was happy that two gold medals for the sprints were able to come back to Sprint Capitol in Raleigh.

EB:You've worn a Phantom of the Opera mask in a race and competed against a giraffe and a zebra. What's up with that?

SC:Nothing’s up with that. You just gotta add some spice to the game sometimes.

EB:What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

SC:Not letting the negative lifestyle take over.

EB:How do you train for your meets?

SC:Hard.