Kajsa Bergqvist in the women's High Jump final (© Getty Images)
Kajsa Bergqvist opens her 2006 season as the star attraction at the Norwich Union Indoor International at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall on Saturday (28).
The World High Jump champion and IAAF World Ranked number one for the event, leads a Swedish team at the UK’s traditional curtain raiser, a five-way match that should test the winter training regimes of a number of medal hopefuls for March’s two major track events – the World Indoor championships in Moscow and the Commonwealth Games outdoors in Melbourne.
Bergqvist, one of the favourites for gold in Moscow, has not competed in the Glasgow fixture for five years. “Sweden always send a really strong team, but for various reasons I’ve not had the opportunity to compete here since 2001,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to getting my season off to a strong start in Glasgow. It’s always nice to get the chance to compete for your country.”
With the Commonwealth Games less than seven weeks away, the organisers have broadened the appeal of the event this year by inviting a high quality Commonwealth Select team to compete against Sweden, Great Britain, Italy and Russia. As a result TV coverage will be distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide, especially to Commonwealth countries.
Campbell goes for the dash
The Commonwealth challenge will be led by Jamaica’s Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell. She competes over 60m against Sweden’s Jenny Kallur and Russia’s world relay medallist Yuliya Tabakova who’s the quickest in the world so far this year with 7.08.
Campbell is joined in the Commonwealth side by a clutch of fellow-Jamaicans: Peta-Gaye Dowdie, who runs in the 200m against Russia’s Irina Khabarova; Lacena Golding-Clarke, who’ll meet Russia’s Irina Shevchenko and Sweden’s Susanna Kallur in the 60m hurdles; and Maurice Wignall, who’ll be favourite in the men’s hurdles.
Golding-Clarke will be defending her Commonwealth title in Melbourne but is also aiming for a medal in Moscow. “It’s important for me to get some good competition as I have Moscow and Melbourne in mind,” she said. “Racing in a strong field against athletes like Susanna Kallur will be a great way to prepare.”
Mutola returns… Williams-Darling, a rare indoor race
Mozambique’s Maria Mutola, another reigning Commonwealth champion, makes her return to the boards in the 800m. After two – by her standards – below par seasons, this will be the first chance to see if some of the old Mutola magic has returned.
By contrast, Bahamas’ Tonique Williams-Darling has had two golden seasons. Making a rare appearance indoors, the World and Olympic 400m champion will compete for the Commonwealth side against Russia’s Olesya Krasnomovets.
Gardner and Johnson lead home-side
Sprinter Jason Gardener and long jumper Jade Johnson lead the British teams. Gardener, the World and European indoor champion, has already posted a world leading 6.60. But so too has Russia’s Andrey Yepischin and he should give the Briton a stern test – just what he’s hoping for.
“I want to get off to a strong start in 2006, so I’ll be looking for a good win,” said Gardener. “After a strong winter’s training it’ll be great to get back to competition, that’s the most enjoyable part of what I do.” South Africa’s Morne Nagel is also in the field.
Johnson will also have her hands full. After missing most of the 2005 season, she opens her 2006 campaign against fellow-Briton Kelly Sotherton, competing for the Commonwealth, and Russia’s Olympic bronze medallist Tatyana Kotova. Sotherton, who’s been named in England’s Commonwealth Games team for both long jump and heptathlon, will also run as a guest in the 60m hurdles.
Like Johnson, Britain’s Daniel Caines has suffered with injury problems in recent years. The former World Indoor champion returns to 400m running against Jamaica’s Davian Clarke after five months training in North Carolina.
“I am very happy with my coach (Jeff Howser) and training group and I’ve really enjoyed the first phase of my training,” said Caines. “I’m looking forward to competing injury free in what will hopefully be a successful season.”
British record holder Chris Tomlinson goes head-to-head against Commonwealth champion Nathan Morgan in the men’s long jump. Tomlinson has a realistic chance of taking his fellow-Briton’s title in Melbourne, especially as Morgan has opted to concentrate on the World Indoors.
Pavlov versus Gibilisco
Another tight tussle is likely in the men’s Pole Vault where Russia’s reigning World and European Indoor champion Igor Pavlov will be favourite against Italy’s 2003 World outdoor champion Giuseppe Gibilisco, the 2004 Olympic bronze medallist.
The crowd’s main hope for a Scottish victory will rest with Lee McConnell. The long-legged 400m runner could make an attempt on the British indoor 300m record of 37.46.
Matthew Brown for the IAAF
