Lowe improves US record to 2.02m, four world leads in Albuquerque – USA Indoor champs, day 2

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Feb 292012
 

Albuquerque, USA – Chaunte Lowe set a new U.S. record in the women’s High Jump with a 2.02m jump to highlight the second day of the U.S. Indoor championships at the Albquerque Convention Center on Sunday (26).

Several world-leading performances were also produced: Sanya Richards-Ross in the women’s 400m in 50.71, Trell Kimmons in the 60m in 6.45, Tianna Madison in the women’s 60m at 7.02 and Kristi Castlin in the women’s 60m Hurdles at 7.84.

Lowe eclipsed the record of 2.00m set by former training partner Tisha Waller at the 1998 USA Indoor Championships. The effort gave Lowe possession of both the U.S. indoor and outdoor records. Lowe set the outdoor record of 2.05m in 2010.

Lowe, 28, and Waller, 41, both trained together in Atlanta with Georgia Tech coach Nat Page. Waller served as a mentor for Lowe throughout her career in making the transition from high school to college at Georgia Tech and to the professional ranks.

“I have a great respect for Tisha,” Lowe said about the 10-time national indoor and outdoor champion. “She is kind of the one who ushered me into the professional level and from high school. We had the same coach and we’re kind of like a team. She had (the record) for so long and I was able to come and get it.” Continue reading »

The theatre, TV appearances, and a few extra training sessions all part of Greene’s new routine – IAAF Online Diaries

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Feb 292012
 

In his first IAAF Online Diary, World 400m Hurdles champion Dai Greene talks about the difficult demands on his time as the London Olympics approach, experiencing the theatre for the first time, and his new puppy.

“Hi everyone,

“This is my first IAAF diary column and in the coming months I hope to offer a little bit of an insight into my life as an athlete both on and off the track. I always enjoy reading the behind the scenes content of other athletes and I hope by reading my column you will all be able to understand the demands placed on an athlete, particularly one that faces huge expectation approaching a home Olympics.

“As you can imagine it is hard for me not to be reminded of the London Olympic Games and as one of only two reigning British World champions I am inundated with requests. Unfortunately, I need to be quite selective about which requests I take up away from the track so I keep focused and do not stray from my athletics commitments. Thankfully, I have a very experienced coach in Malcolm Arnold who keeps me on the straight and narrow. He summed it up succinctly by saying “you can either go out and earn as much money as you can as a World champion or you can be the best person you can be for the next five years and earn much money.”READ MORE

Yohan Blake anchors relay win at Gibson

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Feb 262012
 

KINGSTON — World 100m champion Yohan Blake produced a sizzling anchor leg to carry his Racers Lions team to an impressive 4x100m victory at the Gibson Relays.

Blake’s quartet won in 38.48sec ahead of Racers Track Club — another group of his club-mates who clocked 38.76.

Blake said he and all of his training group, which also includes Olympic 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt, are off to a solid start in a 2012 season highlighted by the London Olympics.

“We are ahead of where we’re supposed to be,” said Blake, who added that his World Championships triumph last year had him anticipating London even more.

“Going into the Olympics I am more excited because of what I did last year,” he said. “I am looking forward to it because its going to be an interesting one.”

Bolt pulled out of the meeting this week, the second time he had delayed his season opener. He missed the low-key Camperdown Classic earlier this month. Continue reading »

 Posted by at 5:09 am

World Champions Kiprop and Rudisha fired-up for start of IAAF World Challenge season

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Feb 242012
 

Monte-Carlo – Daegu 2011 World champions Asbel Kiprop and David Rudisha will have their first outings of the season at their preferred Olympic distances at the Melbourne Track Classic on Saturday 3 March, the opening meeting of the 2012 IAAF World Challenge.
Kiprop will defend his Olympic 1500 metres title in London later this year, Rudisha will bid to complete a triple crown of accomplishments by adding the Olympic 800 metres gold medal to his 2010 World records and 2011 IAAF World Championship title.
The Melbourne Track Classic is the first of 15 meetings of the IAAF World Challenge series of one-day competitions which has stops around the globe in all six IAAF Areas. The series of invitational events concludes in Rieti, Italy on 9 September.
Kiprop learns from (sometimes bitter) experience Continue reading »

Isinbayeva clears 5.01m World record in Stockholm!

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Feb 242012
 

Stockholm, Sweden – Yelena Isinbayeva set a new World indoor record* in the Pole Vault with a 5.01m clearance at the XL Galan meeting in Stockholm on Thursday (23) night.
Sailing clear on her second attempt, the Russian double Olympic champion added one centimetre to her own record she set in Donetsk, Ukraine, on 15 February 2009.
Look for a complete report from our correspondent in Stockholm later.

World Athlete of the Year heads Australia names squad of six for Istanbul

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Feb 242012
 

Athletics Australia have announced a six athletes to compete in the IAAF World Indoor Championships, Istanbul, Turkey, 9-11 March 2012.
Named in the 60m and 60m hurdles, World Athlete of the Year and World 100m Hurdles champion Sally Pearson headlines the team. She will be joined by Craig Mottram (3000m), Dale Stevenson (Shot Put), Alana Boyd (Pole Vault), Henry Frayne (Triple Jump, Long Jump) and Ryan Foster (800m).
Pearson’s appearance is her first for Australia at a World Indoor Championships, and only her third indoor appearance ever after a 2009 trip to the United States saw her clock Area records of 7.30 (60m) and 7.96 (60m hurdles) in Boston and New York respectively.

Six Australians have won gold at the IAAF World Indoor championships; Mike Hillardt (1500m) in 1985, Kerry Saxby-Junna (3000m Race Walk) in 1989, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor (200m) in 1995, Tamsyn Manou (800m) in 2008, and Steve Hooker (Pole Vault) and Fabrice Lapierre (Long Jump) in 2010.

 Posted by at 3:35 am

Danny Mc’s big break set to come at US Indoor Nationals

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Feb 212012
 

OKAHOLMA, USA – Danny McFarlane’s first real break in coaching seems set to be realized this weekend at the US Indoor Nationals. McFarlane, Jamaica’s Olympic silver medalist in 2004 has taken on American Frankie Wright, a former long jumper. In less than two years, MacFarlane has turned him into one of the US’ leading quarter-milers.

McFarlane said he always wanted to find someone who listened, and Wright, who he first saw a year-and-a-half ago, has been doing very well so far since joining his Rock Track Club.

He has also coached former Jamaica junior quarter-miler Maris Wisdom, who he said got hurt, and could not continue because the financial support. McFarlane has also been coaching himself for over a decade now.

According to McFarlane, in Wright he has “found an athlete, who I am working with him now for a year-and-a-half. And right now, he is the fastest American at sea level, and second fastest American (behind Gil Roberts – 45.39) going into the US trials this weekend (February 25-26 in Albuquerque, New Mexico). So, we are looking forward to it (US Trials) and basically that was my goal from day one … To get somebody who is willing to listen and work with me.” Continue reading »

 Posted by at 2:22 pm

LIME connects Blake in three-year deal

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Feb 192012
 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS company LIME yesterday announced a major three-year sponsorship deal with 100m world champion Yohan Blake naming the athlete as its latest brand ambassador.

Under the deal Blake will be a major part of LIME’s 2012 London Olympic Games, as well as the company’s celebration of Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence.

[Hide Description] (From left) LIME’s regional vice-president, marketing and communications, Grace Silvera, 100m world champion Yohan Blake, and St Jago High School principal Sandra Swyer-Watson at yesterday’s inking of a deal between Blake and LIME at St Jago High School in Spanish Town. Blake is LIME’s latest brand ambassador. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)
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LIME’s regional vice-president, marketing and communications, Grace Silvera would not disclose the dollar value of the deal, but said “both sides are very happy with the arrangement”.

The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Blake’s alma mater, St Jago High School in Spanish Town, and the athlete said it was important for him to be able to return to his former stomping ground for the announcement as the institution had helped make him the person he is today. Continue reading »

Asafa Powell, Liu Xiang Vs Dayron Robles, Jessica Ennis and many more set to ignite Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena – PREVIEW

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Feb 172012
 

Birmingham, UK – Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena has become something of a mecca for indoor distance running over the years, and despite the withdrawal of Vivian Cheruiyot, distance races will be to the fore again on Saturday at the penultimate IAAF indoor permit meeting of 2012.  

 

But with strong line-ups in the sprints and two intriguing head-to-heads in the hurdles, the multi-lappers won’t have the limelight all to themselves. The 60m races feature the current world leaders, with Asafa Powell also going in the men’s, while Dayron Robles takes on Liu Xiang in the men’s hurdles and Jessica Ennis tests herself against Danielle Carruthers in the women’s.  

 

But first the distance events.  

 

Cheruiyot was due to make her only indoor appearance of the season over 3000m against the world leader Meseret Defar but the double world outdoor champion decided not to travel from Kenya because of flu.

 

Defar, Melkamu and Burka lead Ethiopian charge

 

That leaves Defar to take on Cheruiyot’s compatriot Helen Obiri plus fellow Ethiopian’s Meselch Melkamu and Gelete Burka. Defar clocked 8:33.57 in Boston two weeks ago but the target this time will be the brilliant stadium record of 8:30.26 set by Sentayehu Ejigu 12 months’ ago in what was the performance of the day.   Continue reading »

 Posted by at 7:41 pm

Milrose game sold out

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Feb 102012
 

So many things are new this year, but one of the old things about the 105th Millrose Games is new all over again — the 2012 Games are sold out.

Work crews just yesterday finished the construction of the temporary Hall of Fame seating along the first turn of the track at The Armory. Additionally, the Armory Foundation, in reaction to ticket demand, created a cost-reduced standing room only opportunity on the back turn where the throwing events are usually held.

The result is that more than 5,000 people will be on hand Saturday night for the renewal of this distinctly New York City event.

“The anticipation of the Millrose Games has been remarkable,” said Armory Foundation executive director Norbert Sander. “The Millrose Games is once again the hottest ticket in New York City and we expect the atmosphere to be electric Saturday night.” Continue reading »

 Posted by at 7:44 pm
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