Jessica Ennis continues to hold a strong lead over the rest of the Heptathlon field (© Getty Images)
A slew of World championships medallists from Berlin will be bringing their momentum from the German capital to the Aviva British Grand Prix on 31 August in Gateshead.
The Aviva British Grand Prix is Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2009.
Gold medallists Ennis, Foster-Hylton and Phillips
Among the highlights for fans in England’s northeast will be newly-crowned World Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, who will be competing in the 100m Hurdles. The 23-year-old tallied 6731 points in her dominating performance at Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
She’ll have a strong rival though, facing the event’s freshly-minted World champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton of Jamaica, whose decision to put off retirement late last year was obviously a very good one indeed.
Another gold medallist on tap is American Dwight Phillips, who in his comeback season took his third World title with an 8.54m leap. The field will also include Greg Rutherford who extended the British record to 8.30m in the qualifying round in Berlin before finishing fifth in the final
Double medallist Lagat returns to action
Among the Berlin silver medalists in the field include American Bernard Lagat, whose notable double title defence yielded a silver medal in the 5000m and bronze in the 1500m. Reigning 1500m Commonwealth champion Lisa Dobriskey nabbed surprise silver in the event in Berlin and will also toe the line in Gateshead.
American Tyson Gay became the second fastest man in history in Berlin when he clocked 9.71 in the 100m behind Usain Bolt’s World record, and he too is expected to produce one of the highlights when he returns to the track in the 100m.
Another surprise silver medallist to emerge from Berlin was 19-year-old Alonso Edward of Panama. Although he finished well behind Bolt’s astounding 19.19 World record in the 200m, Edward impressed with a 19.81 South American record, the fastest-ever by a 19-year-old. Incidentally, the previous fastest 19-year-old in history was Bolt.
Britons Conrad Williams, Michael Bingham, Rob Tobin and Martyn Rooney, members of the silver medal-winning 4x400m Relay squad, will also return to action.
Plenty of bronze medallists in action as well
The women’s 100m will feature American Carmelita Jeter, who finished third in Berlin, and Bahamian Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, who raced to bronze in the 200m after finishing fifth in the 100.
The start lists also boasts Briton Jenny Meadows, the 800m bronze medallist, who will return to contest her specialty, along with members of Great Britain’s men’s 4x100m Relay quartet who captured the bronze as well - Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar, Marlon Devonish and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
The Aviva British Grand Prix is Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2009.
Gold medallists Ennis, Foster-Hylton and Phillips
Among the highlights for fans in England’s northeast will be newly-crowned World Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, who will be competing in the 100m Hurdles. The 23-year-old tallied 6731 points in her dominating performance at Berlin’s Olympic stadium.
She’ll have a strong rival though, facing the event’s freshly-minted World champion, Brigitte Foster-Hylton of Jamaica, whose decision to put off retirement late last year was obviously a very good one indeed.
Another gold medallist on tap is American Dwight Phillips, who in his comeback season took his third World title with an 8.54m leap. The field will also include Greg Rutherford who extended the British record to 8.30m in the qualifying round in Berlin before finishing fifth in the final
Double medallist Lagat returns to action
Among the Berlin silver medalists in the field include American Bernard Lagat, whose notable double title defence yielded a silver medal in the 5000m and bronze in the 1500m. Reigning 1500m Commonwealth champion Lisa Dobriskey nabbed surprise silver in the event in Berlin and will also toe the line in Gateshead.
American Tyson Gay became the second fastest man in history in Berlin when he clocked 9.71 in the 100m behind Usain Bolt’s World record, and he too is expected to produce one of the highlights when he returns to the track in the 100m.
Another surprise silver medallist to emerge from Berlin was 19-year-old Alonso Edward of Panama. Although he finished well behind Bolt’s astounding 19.19 World record in the 200m, Edward impressed with a 19.81 South American record, the fastest-ever by a 19-year-old. Incidentally, the previous fastest 19-year-old in history was Bolt.
Britons Conrad Williams, Michael Bingham, Rob Tobin and Martyn Rooney, members of the silver medal-winning 4x400m Relay squad, will also return to action.
Plenty of bronze medallists in action as well
The women’s 100m will feature American Carmelita Jeter, who finished third in Berlin, and Bahamian Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, who raced to bronze in the 200m after finishing fifth in the 100.
The start lists also boasts Briton Jenny Meadows, the 800m bronze medallist, who will return to contest her specialty, along with members of Great Britain’s men’s 4x100m Relay quartet who captured the bronze as well - Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar, Marlon Devonish and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
