IAAF Golden League logo (© c)
MonteCarloFemale World Athlete of the Year and the seventh fastest women’s 400m runner in history, Sanya Richards has signed-up to compete in the entire series of the IAAF Golden League 2007.
Last year Richards was unbeaten in 13 finals outdoors over the full lap. The Jamaican-born American also succeeded in her IAAF Golden League Jackpot chase in 2006, and capped her year with one of the most phenomenal performances of the entire season: her 48.70 U.S. record at the World Cup in Athens. That time finally broke the 48.83 set by Valerie Brisco-Hooks at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, before Richards was born. Her run was the fastest women’s 400m in the world since the 1996 Olympic Games.
Richards, who turned 22-years-old at the end of February, was the World 400m silver medallist at the last World Championships in 2005, and will be the sure fire favourite for gold at the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan, later this summer (25 Aug to 2 Sep).
With the six meeting IAAF Golden League series straddling the World Championships with three fixtures before and after, Richards will be afforded the world’s very best one-day competition opportunities throughout the season with the extra incentive of a $1 Million Jackpot - athletes must win at all six meetings to acquire at least a share - which represents international athletics’ biggest annual payday.
IAAF Golden League - Dates and venues in 2007:
Friday 15 June, OSLO, NOR
Friday 6 July, PARIS, FRA
Friday 13 July, ROME, ITA
Friday 7 September, ZURICH, SUI
Friday 14 September, BRUSSELS, BEL
Sunday 16 September, BERLIN, GER
IAAF Golden League Events in 2007:
MEN: 100m, 1500m, 110m Hurdles, Triple Jump, Javelin Throw;
WOMEN: 100m, 400m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault.
IAAF
