"You say that, you have low esteem for the human being," he says. "The human being is the most wonderful machine. It can adapt to anything. Why shouldn't times be getting faster? Did we have computers 30 years ago, cellphones 20 years ago, HDTV, Internet? Everything gets faster.
"Someone comes along, breaks the mold, say, goes against the concept that you have to be 22 years old to run fast, we have hysteria and assumptions. We have faster cars, faster computers.
"I now have video and a computer that shows me instantly, in a second, where I can make corrections and in another second I can see if the body is not able to handle it. I have objective data, formulas, and I can put it on a canvas and make it come to life.
"Solving problems is what I live for. The process, that's my love. I don't see limits. I know and the athlete knows what's going on. That's all that matters."
Jeter's dad, Eugene, also played basketball. Her mom, Gloria, was a cheerleader. She said once upon a time she could beat Pooh in basketball and Pooh would like to set up a meeting where the two would play basketball against each other then run 100 meters.
"That might be fun," Jeter said.
Jeter can't describe exactly what it is that Smith has changed in her technique. "Tweaks here and there," she says. "He has changed my attitude. He gives you belief."
And if some want to believe Smith gives her something else, Jeter doesn't care. "All I can do," she says, "is keep working."
diane.pucin@latimes.com
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