As the temperature increases by the minute on the track at UF's Percy Beard Stadium, John Capel can only smile. Gone is the skepticism and doubt he heard following his decision to leave the University of Florida as a sophomore in March to chase a goal that looked unattainable - making the U.S. track and field team that will compete in the Summer Olympics in Sydney.
"People thought that I was crazy and flat-out dumb when I left school to train for the Olympics," Capel said. "I knew that concentrating solely on track was what was best for me."
The last couple of weeks have been hectic for the new U.S. 200-meter champion. He has turned down dozens of interview requests and has done his best to stay out of the limelight that he believes may hurt him.
"I don't want to get overconfident," Capel said. "I need to keep an even keel. I want to stay away from the hype and mind my own business. I just want to run."
The hype began July 23 at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Sacramento, Calif. It was a race that almost guaranteed first- and second-place finishes by 200-meter world record holder Michael Johnson and 100-meter world record holder Maurice Greene.
But things didn't quite turn out the way most people expected.
"All week long people had the idea in their mind that Michael and Maurice were going to dominate the 200," Capel said. "They're both great runners and I have the utmost respect for the both of them, but I can run too and I was not going to be intimidated. I like being the underdog."
After his 200 semifinal win at Sacramento Stadium - a race that also included Johnson - Capel realized he had what it took to become the U.S. champion.
"When I won the semifinal heat, I was excited to be in the finals, but I still knew that it was going to be a test to run well and win in the finals," Capel said. "My dad and I went back to my room and we prayed to God about the upcoming race.
"I knew I was going to run a great race, but I was just so excited. I'm glad my dad and coach were there for support."
After what seemed to be an eternity between races, Capel ran the race he knew he could. His start was flawless, and as he rounded the turn and headed for home, he glanced at the big screen and saw something unbelievable.
Both Johnson and Greene had pulled up because of injuries.
With the marquee runners who received so much media attention all week out of the race, it was Capel's for the taking. He finished first with a personal best of 19.85 seconds.
"Track's a funny sport," Capel said. "One day can be a good day and the next could be a bad one. I'm trying to cut down on the bad ones.
"A lot of people still doubt that I have what it takes to get the job done in Sydney. They're like, 'He really hasn't run with the big dogs yet; we'll see what happens in the Olympics.' But Coach (Mike) Holloway and I have a plan."
Capel had what it took July 23, and Holloway believes he can keep Capel in the right frame of mind to win in Australia.
"What John needs to realize is that whether it's the Olympics or a high school state championship meet, he still has to run 200 meters," Holloway said. "After the task is over and if he's successful, then it's time to revel in the hype. What we're going to focus on is not only his physical strength, but also his mental focus."
After yet another practice in the Florida sun, Capel knows he is inching closer to race day and the approval of his so-called critics.
"There are always going to be favorites in races," Capel said. "I've run the fastest time this year in the 200, but I'm picked to finish seventh in Sydney. Go figure.
"I look at it like this: you have to go out and perform. I know I have what it takes, but the bottom line is you still have to go out and run."
Holloway said that after the championship run, Capel calmly walked over to Johnson and explained that he was not going to let him down.
"John wants to run well and represent himself, the University of Florida and his country in a positive manner," said Holloway, who doubles as an assistant coach at UF. "He doesn't want to be looked at as a flash in the pan."
