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Athletics News - 20.03. |
Mombasa news
MOMBASA: Kenya cross country team head coach Julius Kirwa said that his squad was 90 percent ready to face the world. Kenyans will use the remaining days to improve their speed work. Kirwa was also quoted by Kenian Media that his team was under pressure to ensure the best result possible. He also said that there are no controversies in the team."Everyone is eager to display their talent and prove themselves. Look at Moses Mosop, Florence Kiplagat, Priscah Jepleting, they are all showing serious commitment to their training and I reiterate that victory is within their grasp," he said. Kirwa is optimistic that his team will sweep all the medals in Mombasa noting that the inclusion of Kenenisa Bekele, the 12km champion is a bonus to his squad. The coach pointed out that Bekele would not be the focus of his team strategy. The Ethiopian, he said, would be regarded as just one among the many opponents Kenyans have to beat. The Kenya team to the World cross-country Championship will not feature pace setters. Sweden is sending only one runner steeple record holder Mustafa Mohamed. He will use a different approach as he plans to arrive to Mombasa only one day before the race. In first of IAAF previews for women senior race the favourites named are Ethiopeans Tirunesh Dibaba, Meselech Melkamu and Gelete Burka and Kenyan born Netherlands representative Lornah Kiplagat. Kenya is the main favourite for female junior race with big hope to repeat the all-podium result from Fukuoka 2006.
Bids 2011 and 2013
BARCELONA: The Barcelona bid for World Champs 2013 revealed that they have an budget of 54,91 millions EURO to stage the event. They will travel to Mombasa for the IAAF Council Meet with delegation of 27 persons. In 2010 the olympic city will host the next European Championships.
BRISBANE: “Like the 2000 Sydney Olympics, we are absolutely confident of sell-out performances in Brisbane, day and night. The IAAF World Championships are iconic and will enjoy the status of the Olympic Games in this country,” said Des Power, Chairman of the Brisbane bid. Australia recently hosted an succesfull opening of F1 season and is currently staging World Swimming Championships. The problem of Brisbane bid could be the date of the competition which will be probably out of regular track season.
EAA General Director speaks about the changes
LAUSANNE: The EAA General Director Christian Milz in his usual monthly address pointed out the changes of competition calendar which are planned by EAA: „The major championship of the season would still be the focal point. Strong and real links between one day meetings and major championships would be created. The SPAR European Cup would be converted into a European Athletics Team Championships involving up to 12 teams and creating more excitement, competition and awareness. There would also be 12 teams in the next division with nail biting promotion and regulation being based on what is common practise in most football leagues throughout Europe. Finally, specified dates would be reserved for national championships and international matches. The group have also devised rule changes to some of the events which are long overdue and will generate much more interest and excitement to many of our events, where the rules have not changed for over a hundred years.“
VC to start this weekend
TEMPE: Olympic 200 m champion Veronica Campbell from Jamaica will return this weekend to track after serious injury last year. She will run a leg in the 4x400 m relay at Arizona State Invitational in Tempe. Her agent Claude Bryan says: „Still on the mend following a brutal, season-ending tear to her quadricep muscle in Gateshead, England in June of last year she will compete on an Ontrack Management team (OTM) which includes Shereefa Lloyd and Olympic 4x400m relay medalist Michelle Burgher. Main goal is to be in top shape at world championships in Osaka where she wants to run both sprints.“
Other news
ADDISA ABABA: As Ethiopean media (Addis Fortune) are reporting the national athletics federation passed the largest budget in its history worth of 30,3 million Birrs budget (approx. 3,3 millions USD) The immense increase in the amount of money that the Federation needs is attributed to the large number of projects that it has planned for this year. In addition the 16th African Championships, hosted by Ethiopia in May 2008, also needs a four million Birr procurment budget. The budget was done with funds from 10 sources. Among them the 300,000 Br from the 10pc commission (approx 33 750 USD) that the Federation earns from the winnings of its athletes, funds received from the International Athletes and Athletics Federation (IAAF), sponsorships from Addidas expected to amount to 10.4 million Br (1,170 mill. USD), and the 250,000 Br (28 000 USD) subsidary that is allocated to the Federation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
DARMSTADT: Former world class sprinter and world champion Frankie Fredericks from Namibia was named a consultant for German Federation in regard to relay teams.
MONTE CARLO: IAAF ratified the world indoor record at 5000 m achieved by Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) in Boston on Jan 27 (14:27.42). There are two more female world records this indoor season waiting for the ratification (493 Yelena Isinbayeva, PV – 8:18.54 Moscow region, 4x800 m). Dibaba is one of the favourites at this Saturdays World CC Championships in Mombasa.
Case of disabled athlete – can he compete at Worlds and Olympics?
CAPETOWN: South African media are thinking about the future of disabled runner Oscar Pistorius who earned silver medal at South African Champs last weekend and was able to run under 47 seconds over one lap. Pistorius, whose legs were amputated at the knees when he was younger, holds several Paralympic world records but his dream is to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The IAAF and the IOC are discussing his possible participation. Many athletes and coaches feel Pistorius's artificial legs give him an unfair advantage but he disagrees. He usually struggles to get up to full speed in the 400m and it is only over the last 150m that his blistering acceleration enables him to catch up with his opponents. "I won't be able to compete at the world championships in Japan later this year, because the possible new rules will come into force only in January. But I still aim to run in Beijing and will continue to work hard," Pistorius was quoted.
Ross hopes to run sub10
SYDNEY: Australian sprint champion Joshua Ross hopes to break soon the 10 seconds barrier. He even thinks about the national record of Patrick Johnson which is 9.93. This month he won the national title in 10.08, the fastest by Australian on home soil. "I'm basically knocking on the door," Ross was quoted by Australian media. Ross is currently on a break and after that will travel Europe for the athletics season in June before going to the world athletics championships in Osaka. The 26-year-old is also hoping to emulate his idol Olympic champion Carl Lewis by adding the long jump to his schedule after the world championships.
Conley goes as an agent
CHICAGO: Olympic triple jump champion 1992 Michael Conley is starting an athletes representation company as indystar.com reports. The name will be Mac Management Group. Conley is currently involved in Chicago Bid for 2016 Olympics and previously was working with USATF. As per the report the main issue for Conley should be basketball.
Results corner
PAULETTO BAY (USA): At US PanAm Walking Cup trials the well known names were the best. Kevin Eastler won the 20 km (1:24:12) and Tim Seaman was second (1:24:21). On the women side Teresa Vail was the best (1:35:44). Pan Am Walks Cup will be held in April in Brazil.
KINGSTON (JAM, Carifta Games Trials): Early April (7-9) Turks and Caicos will host the traditional junior and youth meet for Caribbean athletes Carifta Games. Jamaicans had their trials last weekend. 2006 World Junior bronze medallist (100 m) 17 years old Yohan Blake clocked 10.41 and 20.92. Another athlete born in 1989 Keiron Stewart achieved at junior 110 m hurdles new national record 13.71. World U17 2005 finalist Bobby-Gaye Wilkins bettered her best at 400 m to excellent 52.03.
BEIJING (CHN, National GP): At next leg of National Indoor GP as Tilastopaja reports during first day fast 60 m times were registered. Wen Yongyi achieved new national record 6.59 and in another race Du Bing also went under the old mark with 6.60. Wen has outdoor best 10.30 from last year at 100 m. Gu Junjie showed solid triple jump shape with 16.84 m.
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