Marcell Jacobs is excited about his debut in Ostrava

On tomorrow's race:

Of course this is one of the most important tests before the European Championships. The Olympic qualifier is a goal tomorrow. I am in good shape, I just need to put it all together. I have had some problems with my start in the last two races. I need to stop thinking and just run. The goal tomorrow is to win and run sub-10, but it is not only about that. I also want to go to the track and have fun.

On training together with De Grasse:

It is amazing. In Rome I always worked alone, now I work in a group and it changed everything. Now we can push each other every day. It is competition every day, and working with Andre is a lot of fun. We share every moment, I like it a lot.

On his current shape and short-term plans:

It is two more races before the European Championships, I'm the defending champion, so I want to do it again. I have done two races so far, but I still need to put some pieces together.

I changed a lot this year, including my coach, so I need to compete a lot to put it all together, but I am ready.

 On the upcoming European Championships in Rome:

We are at a really good moment for Italian athletics. We hope many people come and support us in the stadium. We can take many medals there. I asked Andre to come support there. For the first time we will not be rivals.

Andre De Grasse

On racing in Ostrava:

I love to come here. There is going to be a good weather this time, no rain hopefully. I am looking forward to competing and just having a good time. It is my fourth time here and this is one of my favourite meets.

On the possibility of breaking Usain Bolt's meet record:

I feel I can do it. I had some good training sessions in the last couple of weeks. This is my second 200m of the season. I felt pretty good in the first one. I am putting together some good performances. I should be able to get a sub-20 performance and get closer to the meet record. Last time I was here I won with 19.91 and the weather is going to be better this time.

On training together with Jacobs:

It is good to have him there, I like to feed off the competition, I love having training partners. When the opportunity came and Marcell reached out and asked me about being his training partner, I was excited. He came to Florida for 5-6 months and now I went to Italy to train with him. We push each other and that should help me to run fast.

On spending time in Italy:

I enjoy Italian cuisine. Spaghetti carbonara is my favourite. I eat a lot of pasta, but not too much. It is good to be in Rieti. Rome is not too far and it is one of my favourite cities. It is good to go to European meets without being too tired and jet lagged.

I plan to hopefully go see Marcell competing at the European Championships in Rome. I have never been to the Europeans before.

On his plans for the pre-Olympic period:

I am in heavy training right now, that is why I wanted to do the double here to test my fitness and stamina going into the Canadian Trials. I will maybe get in one more meet, then go to Canada, then I am going back to Rieti for training. I might do two or three more meets before the Olympics.