Previews28 May 2008


Hurdles PREVIEW - ÅF Golden League

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Susanna Kallur powers to the world indoor 60m hurdles record in Karlsruhe in 2008 (© AFP / Getty Images)

MonteCarloWith the start of the ÅF Golden League only a matter of days away we continue our Jackpot event previews, with a summary of who to look out for in the two hurdles events which are applicable for the $1 Million ÅF Golden League Jackpot in 2008.

NOTE. As with all competitions there are likely to be changes to the start list in the final days before this year’s ÅF Golden League commences at the DKB-ISTAF Berlin meeting on Sunday 1 June, and therefore these event category previews are correct as of information available at the time of publication.

Women’s 100m Hurdles

Among the most anticipated 2008 debuts at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday will be that of Swede Susanna Kallur, who electrified the indoor circuit this year with an undefeated season capped by a World indoor record of 7.68 in the 60m Hurdles in Karlsruhe. A heavy favourite for gold at the World Indoor championships in Valencia, a slight injury forced her out of the semis and ultimately off the podium.

But the European champion is now back and ready to pick up where she left off. After a near miss for a medal in Osaka last summer, missing the bronze by a scant 0.01 seconds in a dramatically close final, Kallur produced a strong late-season in 2007, winning fast races in Brussels and Berlin on the same weekend. Her 12.49 performance at DKB-ISTAF was a career best for the 27-year-old, and the fourth fastest in the world last year.

The field also includes American Lolo Jones, whose strong indoor campaign this winter was only overshadowed by that of her Swedish rival, and capped with World indoor gold.

Jones has steadily risen through the crowded ranks of American hurdling since her college days at Lousiana State, bringing a 12.56 career best to Berlin. She’s already run 12.65 this season and has the momentum of a convincing victory in Hengelo on her side.

With World championships bronze from 2007 and silver from 2005 to her credit, Jamaican veteran Delloreen Ennis-London is certainly a threat. She’s already run 12.54 this season, tantalizingly close to her 12.50 career best from Osaka.

Another Jamaican, former World championship medallist Brigitte Foster-Hylton will also be a factor. She has a solid 12.56 to her credit this season with her victory in Doha where she defeated Jones.

If anyone seems to lurking on the edges to spring a surprise, it could be 21-year-old Spaniard Josephine Onyia. The Nigerian-born up-and-comer has a PB 12.67 from last year when she finished second in Rome, and finished the season with a runner-up spot at the World Athletics Final.

Men’s 400m Hurdles

Among the highlights of the men’s 400m Hurdles could be the return to form of Bershawn Jackson, the 2005 World champion. Underscoring her competitive ferocity, the 25-year-old dashed to the World title that year in horrendous conditions in Helsinki, notching a personal best 47.30 to boot.

Injury woes slowed Jackson, AKA “Batman” last year, where he failed to advance from the semis in Osaka. But he’s signaled a strong return this spring, winning at the Kansas Relays in mid-April with a quick 48.32 and on 18 May in Carson, clocking 48.94. His 400m speed also serves him well; he’s a reigning 4x400m Relay world champion.

One of the surprises to emerge from Osaka last summer was Marek Plawgo. The World Cup bronze medallist in 2006, the Pole followed up with yet another bronze on a bigger stage at last year’s World Championships. On a high, he won his next four races, including the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart. His 48.12 career best came in Osaka, bringing the 27-year-old ever closer to the still-formidable 48 second barrier.

Another American, James Carter, always lurks as a threat. Fourth at the World championships last year, and twice fourth at the Olympic Games, the 30-year-old ran his 47.43 PB when he chased Jackson to the finish in the rain of Helsinki in 2005, finishing second. The reigning US champion, Carter collected big meet wins in Paris and Lausanne last year.

Also in the mix is 29-year-old Periklis Iakovakis of Greece, sixth at the World Championships last year after winning the European Cup title.  His PB and national record of 47.82 was set in 2006, the year he won the European title and the World Athletics Final.

Others to watch include 2000 Olympic champion Angelo Taylor, who has been a force in the event since taking World junior gold in 1996, and American Kenneth Ferguson, who was third in Berlin last year.


          Athletics’ biggest yearly payday - ÅF Golden League Jackpot

                                          The prize - $1 Million

                                   The requirement - ‘6 out of 6’

In 2008, there are TEN ÅF Golden League event disciplines designated to the Jackpot, six events for men and four for women, as follows:

Men: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 400m Hurdles, Long Jump, Javelin Throw
Women: 200m, 800m, 100m Hurdles, High Jump

Athletes are required to win at all six meetings to acquire at least a share of athletics’ biggest yearly payday.

The possibility of a secondary prize also exists as it did in 2007:

To sustain the active participation in the Jackpot of as many athletes as possible through to the culmination of the series, should NO athlete manage to attain six wins and claim the $1 Million, then anyone with five victories will share half the original prize - $500,000.

NOTE. this secondary prize is only on offer should nobody win his or her event at all six meetings.

Cities and Dates for 2008 - ÅF Golden League

Berlin, GER – Sunday 1 June
Oslo, NOR – Friday 6 June
Rome, ITA – Friday 11 July
Paris, FRA – Friday 18 July
Zürich, SUI – Friday 29 August
Brussels, BEL – Friday 5 September

Bob Ramsak for the IAAF

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