News11 Jun 2009


New names for Ostrava - Kiprop, Yego, Jackson, Perry – IAAF World Athletics Tour

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Hengelo 1500m winner Asbel Kiprop (© organisers)

Ostrava, Czech Republicmore high quality names have been added to the line-up for the Ostrava Golden Spike Meeting which is a Grand Prix status event as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour.

The 48th edition of the meeting has put together a great 800m field. The already declared Olympic silver medallist Ahmed Ismael of Sudan woill be joined by the reigning World champion Alfred Kirwa Yego of Kenya and his compatriot the Olympic 1500m silver medallist Asbel Kiprop. Kiprop took a great Mile win in Eugene last Sunday (7) and wants to attack the 1:43 barrier after he improved to 1:43.17 in Doha in May.

In the 400m Hurdles, 2005 World champion Bershawn Jackson is the new addition and in the women’s 100m Hurdles double World champion Michelle Perry wioll line-up, both stars are returning to Ostrava. Perry steps in as World Indoor champion Lolo Jones who is not ready to compete after her injury at the Drake Relays pulls out of the meet

Excitement is building around the Javelin Throw battle of home star Barbora Spotakova, German Christine Obergfoll and Russian Mariya Abakumova.

“I hope to win before home crowd but it will be tough, I achieved some personal bests with a special shot put today, so the shape is growing,” confirmed World champion Spotakova.

But Obergfoll is also ready, especially as last year she set the meet record in Ostrava and beat Spotakova: “For me this is first highlight of the season. I expect an excellent competition and I think it will be very close, I like the meet and why not to achieve a 70 metres.”

Alfons Juck for the IAAF

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