2007 World Outdoor and 2006 World Indoor shot put champion Reese Hoffa is in Dalian, China for Team USA training camp as he prepares to compete at the Olympic Games. The 2008 Olympic Trials champion, Hoffa recently spoke to the media. Below are excerpts of the conversation. For a full bio of Hoffa and all Team USA track & field athletes, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicGames/roster.asp.

Q: From the fun side and the serious side, what do the Olympics mean to you?

A: I look at the Olympics as I want a validation of all the hard work that I have put in, year after year. I realize that this is probably going to be one of the funnest events that you are ever going to get to do in you're entire career. I've won World Championships, Indoors and Out, and I've been world number one but to win the Olympics, there is nothing that is held higher in society than that. I was a 2004 Olympian, and you become an instant role model. It doesn't matter what you do in your career and in life, everyone is going to remember that you are an Olympic champion.

Q: You've done great things in the sport and you've done them clean. Do you take a lot of pride in that?