PHOENIX, Arizona, December 2. FRESH off his first short course meter world record during the Berlin stop of the FINA World Cup circuit, Brazilian star Thiago Pereira took some time out of his training to chat with SwimmingWorldMagazine.com<\/b>.<\/p>\n
With the 200 IM world record now in hand, does that give you renewed motivation to beat Michael Phelps in a long course meet? Also, do you believe that you would challenge Phelps in a short course meet?<\/b>
\nAfter setting the 200 IM world record, I became even more motivated to reach my goal, which is winning an Olympic medal. It also made me believe I can get closer to Phelps' times. Also, yes, I do [believe I could challenge] Phelps, even knowing he doesn't swim short course much.<\/p>\n
Do you focus your training more towards the 200 or 400 IM? What types of training do you do for each?<\/b>
\nActually, I focus on both events. I train middle distance to give me training in both resistance and spring to help me with my speed.<\/b><\/p>\n
After swimming really well during the World Cup in Berlin, what did it feel like to return home and hear your fans in Belo Horizonte chant your name?<\/b>
\nIt is always good to be recognized. It motivated me to keep pushing myself.<\/i><\/p>\n
You told the Globo Esporte<\/i> that you are weighing six different events for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where are you leaning for your meet program at the Olympics?<\/b>
\nEven being in six different events, I am still going to focus on the IM events.<\/b><\/p>\n
You tied the overall record for gold medals at the Pam American Games. What were your emotions doing so in front of your home crowd?<\/b>
\nIt is great for me to do my best at home. The crowd was huge, and that flattered me. I felt like the whole country was watching and cheering for me.<\/i><\/p>\n
What is the greatest moment in your swimming life?<\/b>
\nThe final of the 2004 Olympic Games. Even though I finished fifth, it was a unique feeling for me.<\/i><\/p>\n
What do you think of the situation with Rebeca Gusmao? Are you in favor of a stricter drug policy in Brazilian Swimming?<\/b>
\nIt is a shame for the whole country, and it is bad for all swimmers. I think all athletes wish for fair competition, always. That is why I am in favor of a strict drug policy, not just in Brazilian swimming, but in the whole world.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PHOENIX, Arizona, December 2. FRESH off his first short course meter world record during the Berlin stop of the FINA World Cup circuit, Brazilian star Thiago Pereira took some time<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":81038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world","category-zzzzzzzzz"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n