Bernard Lagat (USA) ends a wonderfully well judged race by taking the World Indoor 3000m gold in Doha, a title which he last won in 2004 (© Getty Images)
Newly crowned world indoor champions Bernard Lagat and Jessica Ennis of Great Britain will ride the wave of their recent successes when they compete at the adidas Grand Prix on 12 June.
The adidas Grand Prix, held at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, will be the fifth stop on the inaugural 14-meet IAAF Diamond League circuit.
Lagat joins previously announced sprint king Usain Bolt, the Olympic and World champion at 100 and 200m and World record holder in both events, as the featured athletes in their respective events, the 1500 and 100m.
The golden girl of British athletics, Ennis will face-off against American Hyleas Fountain, the Olympic Heptathlon silver medallist, in a special multi-event challenge featuring the Long Jump, Shot Put, and 100m Hurdles. The adidas Grand Prix will be Ennis’ U.S. debut, and it will be Fountain’s first appearance.
“Winning the world indoor title gives me a load of confidence heading into the summer, and now what a great opportunity it is for the multis to be included within the adidas Grand Prix’s Diamond League structure,” Ennis said. “This meet is known for producing great results, and I’m excited to use the energy and support of the New York City crowd in making my U.S. debut.”
Lagat, 35, of Tucson, Ariz., captured his second World indoor title in the 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Doha last month, making him the first U.S. champion in the event. The victory brings his career World Championship medal count to eight — four of them gold. Lagat, a two-time Olympic medallist at 1500m, will open his season later this month at the Drake Relays.
Ennis, 24, is dubbed the world’s greatest female athlete after becoming the first British woman to win both indoor and outdoor World titles in 2009 and 2010. She was victorious in the pentathlon in Doha, and just seven months prior, Ennis dominated in similar fashion at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, setting a personal best in becoming the world heptathlon champion.
Fountain, 29, also had a stellar performance in Doha, finishing fourth in the Pentathlon and equalling the American record of 4,753 set in 1999 by DeeDee Nathan. It was an encouraging performance for Fountain, who was forced to miss the World Championships last summer due to injury.
Organisers for the IAAF
The adidas Grand Prix, held at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, will be the fifth stop on the inaugural 14-meet IAAF Diamond League circuit.
Lagat joins previously announced sprint king Usain Bolt, the Olympic and World champion at 100 and 200m and World record holder in both events, as the featured athletes in their respective events, the 1500 and 100m.
The golden girl of British athletics, Ennis will face-off against American Hyleas Fountain, the Olympic Heptathlon silver medallist, in a special multi-event challenge featuring the Long Jump, Shot Put, and 100m Hurdles. The adidas Grand Prix will be Ennis’ U.S. debut, and it will be Fountain’s first appearance.
“Winning the world indoor title gives me a load of confidence heading into the summer, and now what a great opportunity it is for the multis to be included within the adidas Grand Prix’s Diamond League structure,” Ennis said. “This meet is known for producing great results, and I’m excited to use the energy and support of the New York City crowd in making my U.S. debut.”
Lagat, 35, of Tucson, Ariz., captured his second World indoor title in the 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Doha last month, making him the first U.S. champion in the event. The victory brings his career World Championship medal count to eight — four of them gold. Lagat, a two-time Olympic medallist at 1500m, will open his season later this month at the Drake Relays.
Ennis, 24, is dubbed the world’s greatest female athlete after becoming the first British woman to win both indoor and outdoor World titles in 2009 and 2010. She was victorious in the pentathlon in Doha, and just seven months prior, Ennis dominated in similar fashion at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in Berlin, setting a personal best in becoming the world heptathlon champion.
Fountain, 29, also had a stellar performance in Doha, finishing fourth in the Pentathlon and equalling the American record of 4,753 set in 1999 by DeeDee Nathan. It was an encouraging performance for Fountain, who was forced to miss the World Championships last summer due to injury.
Organisers for the IAAF
