$1 Million IAAF Ericsson Jackpot race continues in Monaco - Fredericks faces challenge of Bailey and Boldon
6 August 1998 - Monte Carlo - Frank Fredericks (NAM), Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR), Haile Gebrselassie (ETH), Bryan Bronson (USA) and Jonathan Edwards (GBR) are back in the fight for the $1 million IAAF Ericsson Golden League Jackpot as the Golden League springs back into action at the Herculis Zepter athletics meeting on Saturday.
After the first two Golden League Meetings in Oslo (July 9) and Rome (July 14) it is the turn of the Louis II Stadium to welcome the world's best athletes, including the Atlanta double gold medallist Michael Johnson. Even the weather looks to be perfect - with the day's scorching temperatures likely to be a little cooler when the athletes get down to business in the evening. They will be competing in the shadow of the famous Rock of Monaco, down from which will descend His Highness Prince Rainier and his sports-loving son the Hereditary Prince Albert.
On the track - which is in fact elevated four floors above road level in this remarkable stadium complex - we are likely to see some incredible races. The field for the 100m is simply outstanding. Frank Fredericks, Ato Boldon (TRI), Donovan Bailey (CAN) Jon Drummond (USA) Tim Montgomery and Bruny Surin will all line up. Can Fredericks - the most consistent man under 10.00 in history - maintain his winning streak or will Bailey reveal he is back to his irresistible Atlanta form? Bailey has certainly looked dangerous again in recent races but not only him. Boldon impressed with another sub 9.90 time in Stockholm and Bruny Surin - overlooked recently - stormed back with a personal best of 9.89 when beating Bailey at the recent Canadian Championships. The field is evenly matched and the slightest difference will be decisive - whether it is a few hundredths lost in the blocks or through tension at the finish.
But if the 100 is set to be a thriller so is the 3000 metres, where the impeccable Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) is in record breaking mood. The Algerian Noureddine Morceli is in the race as are the Moroccans Salah El Gahzi, Brahim Lahlafi and El Hassane Lahssini and a formidable group of Kenyans: Tom Nyariki, Luke Kipkosgei, Richard Limo, Martin Keino and Paul Tergat. The best non-African contenders are Bob Kennedy (USA) and 1992 Olympic 5000m champion Dieter Baumann.
Even for the normally unflappable Briton Jonathan Edwards, Saturday is set to be a stressful night. Unbeaten so far this season, Edwards still has his eyes on the Jackpot but admits to carrying an ankle injury. He faces World Champion Yoelbi Quesada (CUB) and European indoor champion Denis Kapustin (RUS).
Last, but certainly not least, this season's superstar in the middle distance Hicham El Guerrouj (MAR) faces Daniel Komen and John Kibowen while the fastest 400m hurdler in 1998, Bryan Bronson, takes on Samuel Matete (UGA), Ruslan Maschenko (RUS) and Ken Harnden (ZIM).
