Famiglietti sets pace for steeplechase, ready to chase medal at Olympics

Photo by David J. Phillip

Anthony Famiglietti goes over the water hole Saturday during the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Ore.

EUGENE, Ore. — For a brief moment, Anthony Famiglietti thought about boycotting the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Famiglietti is far from your average Olympic qualifier. He is artistic, articulate and aware: he spoke openly about his hesitation about the Beijing Games, given all the human rights issues surrounding the Chinese government.

But then the former University of Tennessee star burst out front at the gun in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals, had a gold medal draped around his neck and went up into the stands during his victory lap at Hayward Field.

“Sending a negative message like boycotting is going to get a negative response,” Famiglietti said. “I’m sure the Dali Lama has said something about putting out positive energy and hoping it’s reciprocated.

“I’m going to represent the U.S. and hope I learn something from them and they learn something from me. I think if (I) go over there with the right attitude and right intentions … it’s going to be a gateway and great door to open for good things to happen there.”

Famiglietti lived up to his No. 1 ranking Saturday at the trials, winning in 8 minutes, 20.24 seconds and earning his second consecutive trip to the Olympics. William Nelson finished second in 8:21.47 and Joshua McAdams third at 8:21.99.

“Anthony felt the best way to win the race was to set a hard, tough pace from the gun,” UT distance coach George Watts said. “We had actually talked about that for a couple of weeks and he accomplished what he set out to do.”

And now it is onto Beijing where Famiglietti is certain to be one of the more entertaining characters.

Consider the following:

n Famiglietti walked into the post-race press conference, grabbed his microphone and started singing an off-key rendition of the national anthem.

“I’d keep going if I were a better singer,” he said, shrugging.

n Following the medal ceremony he went up into the stands and was subsequently mobbed by throngs of fans, with little kids pulling on his hands and begging for an autograph.

“I wanted to shake people’s hands as a thank you,” he explained. “I figured, why not? They’re the reason I run as hard as I do at meets like this.”

n And he spoke without being asked about the drug scandals surrounding track and field. He said in China he will be shooting for a bronze because in a game full of cheats, it might not be possible to earn a gold.

“The realization is that people are going to cheat,” he said. “Can I beat a cheater? Maybe. Maybe those guys will be cheating and I can still sneak in and get a bronze. I hate to say it, but that’s the truth of the situation.”

On a day when he “channeled” the former Oregon great Steve Prefontaine, Famiglietti said he relied on the faith he had in himself and his body to finish one of the most grueling events in track and field.

“Today was a different race for me, it came from a different place,” he said. “My plan coming in was to run to a point of failure — I was either going to come in last with dead legs or first with dead legs.”

He put as much as 30 meters between himself and the pack, but felt a push from the other places in the last 400 meters. Famiglietti’s legs were far from done though.

“It was about my mental state and I found that place,” he said. “That’s what pushed me through.”

Nelson and McAdams said they knew what to expect from the beginning.

“I knew Fam was gonna do what he always does and take it out hard,” Nelson said.

Famiglietti’s strategy worked and despite the fact that he says he’s more of a 10,000 runner naturally, he willed his way to a victory. Running in Beijing will also provide a sense of familiarity. Famiglietti competed there in 2001 at the World University Games, winning the steeplechase in 8:21.97.

“I gained so much from my experience being in Beijing, the people there are powerful,” he said. “There’s a certain energy there and you can do great things.”

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Famiglietti placed eighth in the opening round. He says this time around he will share training techniques with his steeplechase teammates, eager for an American — any American — to bring home a medal.

“There’s always a way to will yourself to do it (win),” he said. “The competitors in this event, they’re rising to the occasion. Someone from Team USA is going to do it, and I’m going to do my best to contribute.”