Valerie Adams puts in Zürich's main station shot contest - Samsung Diamond League (© Jean-Pierre Durand)
Zürich, SwitzerlandYet again, electric Weltklasse Zürich atmosphere in the city centre: The top stars of the Shot Put will stop at the Zurich Main Station to complete their Samsung Diamond League season on Wednesday, 29 August. Last year's winner Valerie Adams of New Zealand will again be in the star-studded field. And so will local up-and-coming talent Gregory Ott.
Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station: On the eve of the traditional Weltklasse Zürich meeting at Letzigrund Stadium, the world’s best shot putters will clash in the hall of RailCity. For the first time, both the women’s and the men’s Samsung Diamond League finals will be staged at the largest train station in Switzerland. Therefore, the winners of both Diamond Races - the overall event ranking of the series - will be determined in Zurich.
Adams and her Swiss fan club
The entire Shot Put elite, including New Zealand’s Olympic and world champion Adams, will be present at Zurich Main Station. Adams, who is a towering 1.95m tall, has yet to be beaten since she started working with Jean-Pierre Egger and Werner Günthör in fall 2010. Her last 'defeat’ dates back to the Zurich Main Station Shot Put event premiere in 2010. Last year, she won the competition. The Shot Put queen is currently training in Magglingen.
"Zurich is going to be special. I’m looking forward to the event. We will compete at the main station arena for the third time," Adams said. She will be supported by many Swiss fans. "It’s just great that my friends from Magglingen and Biel will be there to cheer me on."
Ott’s season highlight
Ott’s 20-metre U18 record had the crowd cheering last year. He will again be in the field this year. "Unfortunately, I was injured and couldn’t qualify for the U20 world championships. But there will be enough time to prepare for Zurich. The competition will be my championship this year," Ott said. The young athlete will again line up against the best shot putters of the world. Whether he will use a 6kg shot - standard for his age group - or the 7.26kg shot his opponents will catapult through the station hall arena remains to be determined.
Organisers for the IAAF
