Vitezslav Vesely breaks through 88m barrier at the 2012 Diamond League meeting in Oslo (© Mark Shearman)
Reigning European champion Vitezslav Vesely and Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen will clash at the DN Galan in Stockholm on 17 August, the 10th stop on the 2012 Samsung Diamond League circuit.
The Czech Republic's Vesely won the European title in Helsinki in June and also has the longest throw in the world this year with 88.12m from the Oslo stop of the Diamond League, a meet where Norway's Thorkildsen was third. Both Vesely and Thorkildsen are among the main contenders for the Olympic title in London and will then battle it out at DN Galan a week later.
"I am happy to be back in Stockholm, the stadium is very special for all athletes with its historical background," said Vesely. "My coach Jan Zelezny has thrown there several times. Since DN Galan will be my first meet after the Olympics I hope I will be in a good mood!"
Thorkildsen has competed at the DN Galan many times and his best memory is from 2006.
"That was when I set the stadium record and won the precision throw! DN Galan is one of my favourite meets and I really like Stockholm stadium. It’s a nice atmosphere and the spectators are really committed!" said Thorkildsen, who hopes he will arrive in Stockholm as a three-time Olympic medallist.
Organisers for the IAAF
The Czech Republic's Vesely won the European title in Helsinki in June and also has the longest throw in the world this year with 88.12m from the Oslo stop of the Diamond League, a meet where Norway's Thorkildsen was third. Both Vesely and Thorkildsen are among the main contenders for the Olympic title in London and will then battle it out at DN Galan a week later.
"I am happy to be back in Stockholm, the stadium is very special for all athletes with its historical background," said Vesely. "My coach Jan Zelezny has thrown there several times. Since DN Galan will be my first meet after the Olympics I hope I will be in a good mood!"
Thorkildsen has competed at the DN Galan many times and his best memory is from 2006.
"That was when I set the stadium record and won the precision throw! DN Galan is one of my favourite meets and I really like Stockholm stadium. It’s a nice atmosphere and the spectators are really committed!" said Thorkildsen, who hopes he will arrive in Stockholm as a three-time Olympic medallist.
Organisers for the IAAF
