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News07 Jul 1998


Excitement mounts with countdown to first IAAF Golden League Meeting on 9 July

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Excitement mounts with the start of final countdown for first IAAF Golden League meeting tomorrow
With the hours and minutes ticking away in the countdown to the start of the first IAAF Golden League meeting, the tension and excitement are mounting in Oslo, where the Mobil Bislett Games has the privilege of being the inaugural meeting of this exciting new series invented by IAAF President Primo Nebiolo.

President Nebiolo will be arriving in Oslo on Thursday and will be holding a press conference that morning, prior to the start of the meet, which will be broadcast in Europe by the Canal+ Group and its subsidiaries. Results will be available on-line, exclusively here on the IAAF web site.

In the meantime, Nick Davies and Mark Butler have been speaking to just some of the stars who will be competing on Thursday and throughout the Golden League series, with their sights set on the $1 million jackpot destined to reward the athlete/athletes who win their events in all six Colden League meetings and the IAAF Golden League/Grand Prix Final in Moscow in September.

Here is what they had to say:

Marion Jones
Asked about her 1997 run in Bislett, when she won the 100m from Gail Devers: "I had a wonderful experience here last year. I hope that it will be the same this year if not better ..."
On the subject of Florence Griffith Joyner's world 100m record (10.49): "I'm not going to sit here and predict that the record will be broken on Thursday or at any time this year, but as I've said many times, before my career is over, I hope to have a chance to touch it.
"I'm just trying to make my mark, get my name known like Mr Johnson here."

 Michael Johnson on the Bislett Games
"It's a great event. The crowd is very energetic. That helps us as athletes to go out and compete well."
After returning from injury, how does his form now compare with 1996 ? "We'll see as the season progresses. I'm not as healthy right now as I was then. In 1996 I had no injuries which is a very rare thing."
Who does he see as up-and-coming talents in his events ? "I just focus on my event every year and on being the one that they are chasing .... fortunately, I don't have to run against Marion."

 

Haile Gebrselassie (ETH)
"I have to be happy with the start of my season because I have broken the 10,000m world record (in Hengelo) and the 5000m (in Helsinki). Since those races I have returned to Ethiopia to train more specifically to prepare for the 3000m in Oslo. I have done a lot of speedwork with a group of athletes, either in Addis Abeba (2600m) or at a higher altitude of 3000m. It is never possible to predict whether a world record will fall - a lot depends on the weather conditions (rain storms were forecast for Thursday night). Still, I can say that I am very happy about my fitness and that my morale is good."

"My wife had a baby girl two months ago - she is called Aden."

Daniel Komen arrived at the lunch accompanied by his friend Martin Keino (son of the legendary Kipchoge). He was warmly embraced by Gebrselassie. When asked whether it was difficult to remain friends Komen replied: "we have known each other for many years - since we both started in the sport. I take records from him and he takes them from me! "
Asked what he felt the 5000m world record might be after the ultimate race between the two Komen replied: "If we were running freely, not worried about winning medals and tactics, I think the world record could be 12:24."

Although they are friends, the two men were not willing to discuss their individual training programmes
"Maybe when Komen is not here," laughed Gebrselassie: "But seriously, I don't think there is much difference in training. The only "secret" I have is that I do a lot of altitude training."

Komen agreed: "In any case, if you decide to attack somebody, you don't tell them about it in advance."

Komen will run the 1500m in Oslo, and hopes that the extra speed will help him when he moves up in distance to tackle Gebrselassie. Cagey about exactly when they would meet on the track, Komen said: "I am happy to go 1 to 1 with Haile before the end of the year if the organisers can get it together."

Gebrselassie said: "I can appreciate that the spectators want to see more great athletes competing head to head - but it is not so easy. A distance runner needs time to recover from hard races (one reason why 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m have been grouped together to represent 1 Golden League event). Still, I think you can expect to see us race against each other soon."

 Sergey Bubka"I have made the Golden League the focus of my season. I will definitely not compete in the European Championships in Budapest. Of course, it will be really difficult to win all 7 events (including the Final) especially in the pole vault - but this gives me a strong motivation. I've been in the sport now 24 years and I need new things to excite me. I like this new Golden League. It is fantastic the way the sport has changed in the last 10 years - there are many more opportunities for athletes now and this is the latest one. Personally, I am also glad that I have strong rivals. Already we have many people around 6 metres this year and it is a challenge for me to see if I can beat them. I won't even think about retiring until after the year 2000. The fact that I have won only 1 Olympic gold in my career bothers me, and I have to do something about it in Sydney!"

 

Svein-Arne Hansen - Meet Director

"This year there has been really intense interest from ticket buyers, Media and the athletes. I have not seen anything like it in the 28 years I have been working for Bislett. I am really delighted that the new Golden League starts here in Oslo - it is an innovation that is sure to excite athletics fans."

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