Maxwell Twins Say Sisterhood More Important Than Wins And Losses

By Lori Shontz Special to DyeStat

Keenan Gray Photo

PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO

EUGENE – Who’s faster? That’s a question twin sprinters Mia and Mariah Maxwell get a lot, and you know what? They say the answer is neither one of them.

“Honestly, we’re both the same speed,” Mariah said Tuesday, during a news conference ahead of the World Athletics U20 Championships. “We’ve been tested, we’ve done tests, we have data. We’re twins. We’re the same speed.

“Some days Mia has a good day, but not as good as me. One day she’ll have an amazing day, and I didn’t measure up to that level. I kind of makes everything exciting – you never know what’s going to happen.”

Added Mia, “We both grew up being extremely competitive against each other, but in the most loving way. You got me this time; I’ll get you next time. … It’s never anything negative. It’s positive. We’re sisters at the end of the day.”

The Maxwells will compete in the 100, 200 and likely the U.S. 4x100 relay and possibly the mixed 4x100 relay, too. And while they’ll compete against each other, obviously, they said several times during the news conference that being sisters is more important than being competitors.

“Since we’re twins, we’re naturally going to be compared – who’s taller, who’s faster,” Mariah said. “We get compared a lot, but a lot of what I’ve learned is comparison is the thief of joy. If you sit and compare yourself to anyone, you’re just going to destroy the joy you have in your sport.”

AQI and Heat Could Present Problems

The Air Quality Index for Eugene on Wednesday is projected to be over 150, the level considered unhealthy, and when asked about it, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said he is “very lucky to be president of the sport that has the best health and science team” and that World Athletics has its own air quality team.

He did not provide details on contingencies for competitors or spectators.

The smoke is forecast to clear on Thursday, but heat could also be a complicating factor. The National Weather Service has a heat advisory in Eugene through Wednesday, when the high is projected to be 98 degrees. Highs are expected in the mid-90s through Saturday.

World Championships Medalist Sees Value In Competing Against Peers

Leendert Koekemoer of South Africa won a bronze medal at the senior world championships a year ago in Tokyo as part of his country’s 4x400 relay team. And he competed at that level earlier this year at the World Relays in Botswana.

Yet he still finds value in the U20 championships – and competing against people his own age.

“I think that’s very important because from a young age I’ve been competing with the seniors,” he said. “I also think that’s why my stress levels aren’t as high. But this means a lot.”