News20 May 2011


Blake to lead Ostrava 200m, 100m field announced - IAAF World Challenge

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Yohan Blake beats the wind and chill to take the Rovereto 100m (© Giancarlo Colombo)

Ostrava, Czech Republic - Rising Jamaican sprint sensation Yohan Blake will lead the 200m field at the 50th jubilee Ostrava Golden Spike meeting - IAAF World Challenge - on 31 May.


Organisers are hoping the 21-year-old can approach the meeting record of 19.83 set by Usain Bolt in 2008.


Blake, a 2006 and 2008 World Junior Championships medallist, clocked a career best of 19.78 last year and this season has a wind-assisted 9.80 performance in the 100m to his credit from the Jamaica Invitational earlier this month.


"I am very happy with my training and progress so far this year," Blake said. "I feel confident, and I hope to remain healthy and injury-free for the season. I look forward to competing in Ostrava for the track and field fans there. The 200 metres is still my favourite event. I will be going all out to set a very fast time in continuing my preparation for the 2011 World Championships this August."


Men's 100m field announced


As previously announced, Bolt himself will headline the 100m in Ostrava where he'll face compatriots Steve Mullings, the current world leader at 9.90, and Commonwealth Games champion Lerone Clarke. The field will also include 2009 World Championships fourth place finisher Daniel Bailey of Antigua, Kansas Relays winner Ivory Williams of USA along with Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain and Frenchman Martial Mbandjock, medallists from last summer's European championships in Barcelona.


Other names added to the star-studded programme include Koji Murofushi of Japan, the 2004 Olympic Hammer Throw champion and 2008 Olympic champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia, who'll make his international return after a one year break. The Hammer Throw competition, part of the IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge, takes place on 30 May.


Germany's World medallist Raul Spank joins Russian Ivan Ukhov and Czech Jaroslav Baba in the men's High Jump, while Doha and Shanghai 1500 m winner Nixon Chepseba of Kenya is a new name for the 1000m roster.


Bahamian world medallist Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie joins the 100m field where she'll take on Veronica Campbell-Brown, and another Berlin bronze medallist, Ethiopian Wude Ayalew, will chase teammate Meselech Melkamu in women's 10,000m.


Special guests for the 50th anniversary celebration will include legendary tennis star Ivan Lendl and Jaromir Jagr, currently one of the best ice hockey players in the world.


Organiser for the IAAF


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