Wariner, Vlasic among star attractionsPublished: Wednesday, 7 May, 2008, 02:24 AM Doha Time
QAAF president Dahlan al-Hamad (right) and vice-president Khaled Abdulla al-Meer are seen during a press conference held at the QOC yesterday
Sports Reporter
Athens Olympics 400m and 4x400m relay gold medalist Jeremy Wariner of USA and Croatian high jump sensation Blanka Vlasic are some of the star attractions among the 200 athletes taking part in the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix to be held on Friday.
The men’s and women’s athletes will be vying for honours in 12 and nine events respectively.
“This is an important tournament for us as we are one of the applicant cities for the 2016 Olympic bid. The first phase of the bid is in June and with the world watching, we have to make this event a grand success,” said QAAF President Dahlan al-Hamad in a press briefing yesterday.
The hosts will also be fielding a strong contingent for the event keeping in mind the Beijing Olympics qualification.
ALL SET FOR ACTION: Wariner and Vlasic
“We have tried to put maximum Qatari athletes as possible for the event so that we can have more athletes qualifying for the Olympics. This is the best opportunity for the sports enthusiasts in Qatar to see some of the world’s best, who will be taking part at Beijing in August. I’m sure many people will be looking forward to seeing them from up close,” added al-Hamad.
World record holder Asafa Powell has pulled out of the event due to injury but the presence of athletes like Wariner and World Championship silver medalist LaShawn Merritt of USA will add the much needed fizz to the action. Both Wariner and Merritt specialise in the 400m sprint but here they will lock horns in the 200m.
The presence of Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure in the line-up also makes this event more exciting.
As expected, there is a long list of Kenyans in the long distance running events — 1,500m and 3,000m. Eliud Kiplagat, Abraham Chebii and Augustine Kiprono Choge are some of the strong contenders to walk away with the honours. Qatar’s challenge in the 3,000m will rely heavily on Felix Kikwalia Kibore and James Kwalia Kurui.
In the women’s section, World Indoor 60m hurdles champion Lolo Jones and twice world champion and Athens Olympic 200m silver medalist Allyson Felix will be keen to make their presence felt.
Though Jones, the 2008 Indoor Champion at Valencia, looks a firm favourite for the title in the 100m hurdles, Felix will be heavily challenged by Jamaicans Sherone Simpson and Sheri-Ann Brooks in the 100m sprint.
The presence of India’s long jump ace Anju Bobby George will also draw in a large expat crowd. However, things won’t be easy for George, who won silver here in the Asian Indoor athletics event in February this year. It will be a test of fire for her against the likes of world champion Tatyana Kotova of Russia.
Gulf Times Newspaper, 2008