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Aunese excited to go to Beijing
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Posted on Jun 27 2008
Samoa’s Aunese Curreen is using the 2008 Oceania Championships to train for his ultimate dream, which is to compete in this coming September’s Beijing Olympics.
And by all indications the 27-year-old middle distance runner’s warm-up to the summer sports extravaganza is right on track.
Curreen won the first medal of the biennial event early Wednesday morning when he beat Australia’s Brendan Whelan in the Cross Country. He also reset Samoa’s national record in the 400m during the 2008 Oceania Grand Prix’s final day last Monday.
The Samoan, who has been representing his island nation the past 13 years, said he is glad to be on Saipan taking part in the area championships. Curreen said the level of competition in the Championships is good preparation for the Beijing Olympics.
“I will take part in the 800m in the summer games. The 400m on Monday and the Cross Country today are part of my training. I’m pretty happy about the results,” he said shortly after his Cross Country victory at Laolao Bay Golf Resort Wednesday. “I’m thankful for the supporters and the people of Saipan who are here this morning. It’s so early but I’m very pleased for the support not only from Samoa but everybody as well.”
Curreen said he is looking forward to competing in the 800m and the 1500m events of the Championships, “they’re all part of my training for the upcoming Olympics.”
Asked how many gold medals he is expecting to win the Championships, Curreen was noncommittal but said that he likes the conditions here on Saipan.
“[I] ran the national record in the 400m with a 49.52. I didn’t expect to run that fast. So I’m not too sure [how many gold medals I will win] but will see what happens. I like the weather here, it’s the same as my home country,” he said.
Nowadays, however, Curreen doesn’t spend that much time in Samoa as he in now based in Aukland, New Zealand, where he trains all year round.
“I have a scholarship at the High Performance Training Center and I’m coached by one of the great athletes from England.”
He also reiterated his thrill to go to Beijing and represent his country. “That’s my first Olympic Games and I’m excited to go.”
