Liu Xiang and Allen Johnson in Shanghai (© Getty Images)
The first edition of the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix, Shanghai, China will take place at 17 September 2005 and will offer a programme of 14 international events. The aim is to establish the meeting as one of the top-5 athletics one-day events in the world, within a period of 3 years.
2004 Olympic 110m Hurdles Champion Liu Xiang and reigning multiple-time World 110m Hurdles Champion Allen Johnson of the USA both attended a press conference yesterday (25 March) in the Chinese city, the economic hub of the country, to promote the meeting.
In name of the City of Shanghai and of all Chinese athletes, Liu Xiang sent out an invitation to all international world class athletes: "I hope that the many friends I have in the international athletics circuit will accept my invitation and use this opportunity to promote the sports of athletics in China,” commented Liu Xiang.
Allen Johnson who is very well known in China, confirmed that he will race against Xiang in China on 17 September: "I have experienced that Liu Xiang is extremely popular in China. I am very excited about this new event and about racing against Liu Xiang in his hometown. I am sure that people will love the event. This is my first visit to Shanghai and I am very surprised with the atmosphere."
Over 20 TV-stations and more than 100 journalists, mainly from China, Hongkong and Macau, attended this first press conference of the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.