[OLYMPIC GAMES]

ATHENS, Greece, August 18 - Alleyne FRANCIQUE vividly recalls the moment he stood atop the medal podium at the 2004 IAAF world indoor championships with the 400m gold medal draped around his neck.

 "That was the first global medal for Grenada," he remembers. "Yes, there was a big celebration because we saw our country's flag raised during the medal ceremony and heard the national anthem. It was emotional. I was happy, people look at what I am doing to put our country on the map."

 FRANCIQUE left Grenada in 1998 to attend a junior college in New Jersey for two years, then transferred to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He returns to Grenada two or three times a year, he said, and this year did his background training there. 

 FRANCIQUE had numerous key victories on the European Grand Prix circuit this season, dipping below 45 seconds six times and setting a 
best time of 44.47 seconds, which ranks him second in the world. He is keenly aware he is a favourite to win the gold medal in Athens, but says he feels no pressure.

 "No, I don't feel any pressure at all," he said. "I look at it as a form of motivation. Magazines and newspapers say I am likely to be the gold
medallist. It's a form of motivation. I am marketing my country by doing what I am doing. You can't put too much pressure on yourself. You just have to go out there and have fun."

 The world leader, Jeremy WARINER (USA), won the U.S. Olympic trials in 44.37 seconds and has also been touted as a possible Olympic
champion. Then there is Michael BLACKWOOD (JAM), who finished fourth in last year's world championships. FRANCIQUE and the Jamaican have had several close races this season with the Grenadian coming out on top each time.

 FRANCIQUE has not raced WARINER yet, but says he is unconcerned that the two have not yet met.

 "I have seen him race," he said. "What I understand is that if it comes down to the two of us, it will be who is most determined, who is the most hungry who will come out the winnner. He is good. If we both make it to the final, it will be a good race."

 He views all his competitors as threats, he said.

 "Anyone of us can do it," he said. "I will be patient in the race. I want to pull it off."

 FRANCIQUE has scaled back his training since settling into the Olympic Village to once-a-day sessions, designed by Louisiana State coach, Pat Henry.

 Despite appearing in his first Olympics, FRANCIQUE says he is not nervous. 

 "I look at the Olympics and I just want to treat it as any other race," he said. "I am not really nervous. If you get nervous you put pressure on yourself. You have to do your best.  I know that when the final comes, I will go out and do the best for myself my country and everybody who has helped me."

 "To be honest, when I went to Louisiana State I improved because of my coach, Pat Henry. I give him all the credit but I have plenty of people to thank like all my training partners in Baton Rouge. But I give all the credit to my coach. I think all the credit should go to him because he is the one who worked on the programmes and gave me the feeling I could do well at this level. He is like a father figure to me. I look up to him. We have a special bond."