Interview with Ian Waltz

Waltz came away as the U.S. Trials Champion in the discus and looks to medal in the event in Beijing (Errol Anderson)

As the U.S. Champion in the discus three of the last four years, including the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, how much has that accomplishment alone mean to you?

It's been a ton. Most people don't realize that before 2004, I did not set a personal-best since 1998 so it always wasn't an easy road for me. I was trying to work a regular job, train and ended up being mediocre. Then, in 2004, I moved down to the U.S. Training Center in Chula Vista, California and since then I've improved each year. Just to make my second U.S. Olympic Team along with being the national champion is the greatest feeling considering all of the hard work that was put into this sport.

Going back to the discus competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials, how much did the wind seem to be a factor for everyone? How did you adjust considering you stepped up at the right time?

I don't think the wind was helping anyone at all. It was a bit of a headwind so it was tailing over the discuss fairly fast. However, I'm a powerful guy so no matter what the conditions I think I can throw far whereas a taller guy with less power may have more trouble in those conditions.

How has your training been as you prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing?

It's been great. After getting back to the training center here, I took a couple days off and then went back to my plan of getting 2-3 really hard training weeks in and then after that I'll lighten things up so I'm prepared to throw far in Beijing.

Also representing the U.S. at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, how much did you learn from that experience?

In 2004, my goal was simply to make the U.S. team. Unfortunately, I did not do as well as I wanted. Just knowing what it's going to be like with the madness of the Olympic Games will be a key experience for me. In 2005, I got fifth at the World Championships so the experience alone will definitely help me adjust to everything that will happen in Beijing.

During your collegiate career at Washington State, you were a eight-time All-American. From your senior season in 2000, where you placed 20th in the Olympic Trials, to 2004 where you were runner-up, you really seemed to find your stride in the event. What worked best for you during this four year span where you performed at a much higher level?

From 2000 to 2003, I did not throw much over the 200-foot mark at all. In January of 2004, I decided to move down to the training center in Chula Vista and that's where I began to make up on some of my huge gains. Thanks to the proper coaching and not having to worry about working full-time was just a tremendous relief knowing I could simply train all day, every day. All of the facilities here were able to soak up the talent and bring out the best in everyone.

After talking to a number of post-collegiate athletes, most of them find it almost enthusiastic to find out that they no longer have to compete every single weekend through the season. Is that something that also benefited you coming out of Washington State?

I think so. Take this past year as an example, I didn't open up until the California Invitational Relays (formerly known as the Modesto Relays) on May 10 whereas most collegiate athletes already had several if not a ton of meets under their belt. Being able to adjust to your own schedule, learning how your body works during the year and knowing when to not peak too early is certainly an advantage. This has allowed me to pick and choose which meets can surround my training.

How has your life been since qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team? What's been the overall experience for you coming out of Eugene?

It's been an amazing experience. I've been getting tons of text messages, phone calls and emails from people. It's crazy to hear from people who I haven't talked to in a few years congratulating me on my performance so it's great to hear from them as well. It's great to hear from everyone who simply wants to wish you well and support you all the way to the Games. At the same time, it hasn't been too overbearing so it's a great feeling.

We have to ask, how did you plan to propose to Stacy Dragila? The video was passed around the internet and was a big hit among the fans. [watch video]

I saw the ring when I was home for Christmas and I've been looking for one for a long time. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the right one. After I purchased it, I had to find a neat way to propose to her. When Stacy and I first met, we carved our names on a sand by the beach. I thought this would be a great idea to capture that memory again. I had a buddy who had a HD camera and was an avid photographer so I asked him to join me in the moment. I asked him to make a video of me driving my truck down there and then filming me carving our names in the sand again. We haven't picked a date yet, so hopefully we'll pick one after the Olympic Games.

Speaking of the Olympic Games, what are your goals and what would satisfy you the most coming out of Beijing?

Definitely a medal is a goal of mine. I think I have the potential to medal based on how I've been throwing all year and my consistency in the event has shown that I have the opportunity. The way I've been training over the past several months, if I can pop a good throw I think you'll see me on the medal stand.