Ladji Doucoure crosses the line en route to gold in Helsinki (© Getty Images)
The Palais Omnisports Bercy in the French capital which played host to a memorable edition of the World Indoor Championships in 1997 has attracted top talent from the world of men’s sprint hurdling and pole vaulting, and women’s long jumping for the Meeting Seat which will take place on Friday 13 February.
In the women’s Long Jump, Brazil’s Olympic champion Maureen Maggi who also took the World Indoor silver medal last winter in Valencia, takes on 20-year-old Frenchwoman Eloyse Lesueur, the national indoor record holder (6.84m, 26 Jan 2008) but who missed last summer through injury.
From the USA, a trip of top performers will also take part - Grace Upshaw (6.88 m), Funmi Jimoh (6.91m), and Tianna Madison who was the 2005 World champion.
Another 2005 World title winner, France’s Ladji Doucouré who won in Helsinki at the 110m Hurdles, takes on USA’s 2008 Olympic silver medallist David Payne over the 60m Hurdles.
In a high class line-up they are joined by Latvia's Stanislav Olijar, the European outdoor champion, who took bronze over the 60m Hurdles at last winter’s World Indoor Championships. Not to be overlooked are USA’s Dexter Faulk (7.58 in 2008) and Britain’s Allan Scott, who was sixth in 2008 World Indoor final who will also line-up in Paris.
Australia’s Olympic champion Steve Hooker, takes on France’s 2007 World championship silver medallist Romain Mesnil in the men’s Pole Vault. Another high flying Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie, who has already vaulted 5.81m this winter, and USA’s Derek Miles who was fourth in Beijing have also signed-up for the meeting on 13 February.
Jean-Philippe Manzelle for the IAAF
