10.10.2007 17:35

"I want to fight for a medal in Beijing"

Jordi Clos

The FC Barcelona Technical Secretary for Athletics Jordi Llopart and Jackson Quiñonez have revealed their delight at the club's success at the recent World Championships in Osaka and have now set their sights on the Olympic Games.

The pair talked to Barça TV about how he impressed he was by the performance of Quiñonez, Irache, Quintanal, Iris Fuentes Pila, Sonata Milusauskaite and Manuel Omedo at the World Championships. In particular, Quiñonez stood out as he beat the Spanish 110m hurdles record with a time of 13.33 seconds to finish seventh.

Great reward

Having beaten the best time in the country's history, Quiñonez said: "It is a reward for many years of hard work and was a great experience. Seventh place is to savour, but I want to work on improving on that. I am grateful to Barça because the club fights for everyone. It has been a great year, although we, the athletes, want to make things even better."

Operation Beijing

Now Quiñonez is looking ahead to his next challenge at the Olympic Games in the summer: "I want to go for a medal in Beijing," he said. "The prospect excites me and I am working myself a place among the best specialists and only thinking about what lies ahead excites me. I expect to be even better and to cause a surprise to some of the favourites."

A great season

Llopart also spoke to Barça TV and the Ecuadorian athlete admitted he was pleased with the current year. "I am very pleased with the way 2007 has gone," he said. "It has been a great year. Having five athletes in the World Championships is a great result and shows the international potential of Barça. Now we will keep faith with virtually the same people and will keep looking to the youth to come through."