Another victory for Usain Bolt in Ostrava (© graf.cz)
Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth, will compete at the Golden Spike in Ostrava on 26 May in what will be his seventh appearance at the IAAF World Challenge meeting.
After a two-year break from the competition in the Czech city, Bolt will contest the 200m in Ostrava for the third time, following his victories in 2006 and 2008, the latter with a meeting record of 19.83.
The multiple Olympic champion and world record-holder has never lost in Ostrava. He won the 100m on three occasions between 2009 and 2012 and triumphed over 300m in 2010 in 30.97, the second-fastest time in history.
“I first competed in Ostrava in 2006 and always enjoy competing there as the enthusiastic crowd always create a good atmosphere,” said Bolt, who had planned to compete in Ostrava in 2013 and 2014 before pulling out.
“2015 will be my seventh time to run at the Golden Spike meeting and my third time to run the 200m. I hear the stadium has been renovated for this year’s meet. I look forward to the race and coming back to run in the new stadium for the first time.”
World javelin champion and local hero Vitezslav Vesely confirmed his participation in Ostrava earlier this year, but the meeting organisers have now revealed who his opponents will be.
Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott, 2014 world leader and African record-holder Ihab Abdelrahman, Diamond Race winner Thomas Rohler, Commonwealth champion Julius Yego and 2007 world champion Tero Pitkamaki will all be in the field.
Vesely’s training partners Petr Frydrych, Jakub Vadlejch and Jaroslav Jilek – all coached by world record-holder Jan Zelezny – will also take part.
In the women’s 400m hurdles, world champion Zuzana Hejnova will take on European champion Eilidh Child and 2011 European indoor 400m champion Denisa Rosolova.
Organisers for the IAAF
