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.”

“Basically I took him from nowhere in a year-and-a-half,” he said of the former Oklahoma long jumper.

Now McFarlane is targeting a top two finish at the US Nationals. But according to him, this would be the second of the three goals he has set for the indoor season. “The first goal was to quality for the US trials, after running 46.22, a personal best, in his first race. (It is) faster than what he ever ran outdoor,” adding they were going to leave everything unto the Most High as Wright should be ready.

“Hopefully we can get the top two, but if we can’t so be it. But we are shooting for the top two,” he added while saying that was the second target.

Once those are out of the way, the third goal is to win the World Championships title over 400m before taking on the outdoor season.

Danny Mac is also hoping to add some Jamaicans to his Rock Track Club group one day. However believes he will soon have to leave his Oklahoma base for Atlanta or Florida. He said this is because it would be easier to get his country men and women, but also because he believes the conditions are better to work for 400m and 400m hurdlers. He said it would be more comfortable as it would allow him to be in and out of Jamaica easier. His website dannymcfarlane.com can explain more about his plans.

Meanwhile, Wright has nothing but high praises for McFarlane, who he believes is more than a coach.

“He is pretty good. He is like my friend, mentor and coach,” said Wright who added “from day one, he a person that really believes in me. He knew I had the talent to run fast because when I was at the University of Oklahoma I used to run just the relays, a few 4x4s.”

“Since day one he always said, you stick with me, and I can get you to run pretty fast and that is pretty much what’s going on right now,” added the 27-year-old.

Wright, who made it clear his personal best 45.72 was done running by himself, said he too is confident going into Nationals this weekend.

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.

“I feel very special. Coming back to my alma mater to let them see what I have achieved so young, kids can look at this and say, okay I can follow Yohan’s footsteps.”

“I started years ago with (coach) Danny Hawthorne and with academics and they helped me to be a smarter person. Also to teach me wisdom and knowledge and everything about life,” he added.

Silvera in the meantime was pleased with the acquisition of Blake as a member of the LIME family, joining the likes of World Championships 100m bronze medallist Asafa Powell.

“Yohan represents the spirit, pride, tenacity and excellence that we want the younger athletes to aspire to as well. So when you lift up Yohan you invariably lift up those with him as role models for them to aspire towards that,” she stated.

As a LIME brand ambassador Blake will be expected to attend company events and be part of promotional activities. LIME will also provide telecommunications services for the athlete while he is travelling, especially during this year’s Olympic Games in the Untied Kingdom.

“So when Yohan goes off his friends and family will also be able to stay connected with him through LIME, so we facilitate telecommunications for him, his management and his team as well,” Silvera said.

LIME also donated $300,000 to Blake’s charitable organisation the YB Afraid Foundation.

“Poverty was a thing for me. I didn’t born with a gold spoon in my mouth, so giving back to the community is great for me. To help other kids I want them to reach where I reach today,” Blake said.

In addition, the company also pledged to donate the first $100,000 of the estimated $32 million it will cost to build a gymnasium at the school.

Principal Sandra Swyer-Watson told Sporting World that St Jago had contributed many athletes to the Jamaican success story and wanted to continue that tradition.

Plans have already been drawn and the St Catherine Parish Council has approved the plans for the gym.

“We have done it with very little and nothing, but it’s about time that we have our own system in place. We are hoping by next year this time we will have our own gym in place so we can produce more athletes for Jamaica,” Swyer-Watson said.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/LIME-connects-Blake-in-three-year-deal_10806544#ixzz1mnIah39G

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.  

One of those pulled along in Ejigu’s wake was Helen Clitheroe, the Briton who went on to win the European indoor title in Paris. The 38-year-old is in the field again determined to lower the personal best she ran that day of 8:39.81. She has 8:45.59 to her name so far this year from Glasgow where she was second behind Obiri.  

The 2011 meeting provided another Briton with a glimpse of things to come as Mo Farah broke the British and European 5000m record en route to retaining his European indoor 3000m crown and, later, winning the world 5000m title in Daegu.

Farah aiming at 3000m UK record

Farah also broke the British 3000m record on this track in 2009 but this year he’ll race over two miles chasing John Mayock’s British record for the rarely run distance of 8:17.06.  

Farah’s opponent’s include former world 5000m champion Eliud Kipchoge and his fellow Kenyan Gideon Gathimba, plus Ugandan Moses Kipsiro and Ethiopia’s Tariku Bekele who’s older brother Kenenisa clocked a world best for this event of 8:04.35 here in 2008.  

Another young Ethiopian leads the women’s 1500m field. Indeed, Genzebe Dibaba’s superb victory over Obiri at the Weltklasse meeting in Karlsruhe last Sunday means she comes to Birmingham as the season’s leading 1500m runner.  

The 21-year-old ran 4:00.13 in Germany, more than three and a half seconds quicker than anyone else in 2012, which is good incentive for Hannah England to stick to her heels. Britain’s world silver medallist outdoors claimed the UK 3000m title last weekend, but has called this her “big race” of the indoor season. Her own indoor PB of 4:07.13 was set last year and could well be erased.

After US record, Lagat back on track

The men’s 1500m line-ups is one of the strongest of the lot, featuring Bernard Lagat, fresh from his American 5000m record at the Millrose Games last Saturday, the world number two Bethwel Birgen, another victor in Karlsruhe, plus fellow Kenyan Nixon Chepseba, the winner in Dusseldorf last week.  There’s also Augustine Choge, who defeated Derese Mekonnen in a thrilling race at this fixture last year. The Ethiopian’s namesake Gebremedhin Mekonnen is in the field this time.  The organisers have also put together two exceptional sprint fields.

Powell Vs Clarke and Liu Vs Robles

Powell set tongues wagging with a 5.64 50m in New York at the end of January and the powerful Jamaican will be keen to confirm he is a serious contender indoors when he takes on Lerone Clarke, the current world leader over 60m plus two other compatriots in Nesta Carter and Michael Frater.  

Clarke is clearly in form after clocking 6.50 to beat Christophe Lemaitre in Liévin this week so Powell may have to lower his 2004 PB of 6.56 to claim the win.  

American Trell Kimmons and the ever-willing Kim Collins head the non-Jamaican challengers, while Britain’s Andrew Robertson will test himself against the world’s elite after finishing second to Dwain Chambers at the UK championships.  

Tiana Madison will be looking to confirm her form in the women’s race after leaping to the top of the world rankings with 7.02 last weekend. The American, a world long jump champion back in 2005, faces Bianca Knight, who won here last year, Ivet Lalova of Bulgaria and Jamaican Aleen Bailey.

As for Robles and Xiang, it will be the first time the pair have faced each other since the World Championships in Daegu last summer, where Xiang took silver after Robles was disqualified, despite finishing first.  

Robles currently trails Xiang 7-5 in head-to-head contests, and the Cuban is looking to level the score by the end of the World Indoors in Istanbul. Xiang is making his first appearance at the NIA since taking World Indoor bronze here in 2003 as a fresh-faced 19-year-old.  

The line-up also includes American’s Aries Merritt and Dexter Faulk, plus Britain’s new young champion Andy Pozzi.

Ennis at the double, again!

Ennis comes to Birmingham buoyed by her double victory at the UK championships last weekend where she twice equalled her hurdles PB of 7.95. That exactly matches Carruthers’ best this year, although the American, who won world outdoor silver in Daegu, has been improving with every race.  Not that Ennis can’t match her. She looked in great shape last week and will have the full force of the crowd behind her.

As she will in the long jump where she’ll take on UK champion Shara Procter and USA’s Brianna Glenn.  There’ll be high hopes for the home nation in the women’s pole vault too where Holly Bleasdale is hoping to raise her British record another notch or two from the 4.87 she leapt last month.  

The 20-year-old faces a quartet of Poles, headed by the experienced Monica Pyrek and Anna Rogowska, plus Germany’s Kritstina Gadschiew.

One British favourite not competing is Jenny Meadows, who hasn’t fully recovered from her Achilles trouble. Meadows was due to face USA’s Morgan Uceny, Elisa Cusma of Italy and Kenya’s Winny Chebet over four laps.

Marcin Lewandowski makes his season debut in the men’s 800m. The European silver medallist in Paris last winter, Lewandowski broke the Polish 1500m record in Liévin this week where Adam Kszczot took the national 800m mark down another chunk to 1:44.57.

Lewandowski’s opponents include Mohamed Aman of Ethiopia and Kenyans Boaz Lalang and Richard Kiplagat.  In the men’s high jump, world number three Robbie Grabarz faces Samson Oni, the man who beat him to the UK title last week, plus Andra Manson of USA.  

In the long jump, South Africa’s 2008 world indoor champion Godfrey Mokoena takes on Eusebio Caceres of Spain and UK champion JJ Jegede.

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.”

Of course, if you can’t be there, you can still take in all the action live on ArmoryTrack.com (and YouTube.com/ArmoryTrack) through a collaborative agreement between YouTube and The Armory. The webcast begins at 4 pm with the elite portion of the Games scheduled from about 6:45 pm until the completion of the NYRR Wanamaker Mile, scheduled at 9:49 pm.

Renown broadcasters Tim Hutchings and Dwight Stones will be on the call as 25 Beijing Olympians and several dozen aspiring London Olympians take to the track and runways.

In the last two Olympic Games and last four World Outdoor championships 200m finals, Felix and Campbell-Brown alone have accounted for every gold medal and all but two silver medals. Felix is a three-time World champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist, while Campbell-Brown, aka VCB is the two-time Olympic gold medallist, the 2011 World champion and a two-time World runner-up to Felix.

Campbell-Brown is also the defending World champion indoors at 60m and is coming off a win at the U.S. Open of Track & Field at Madison Square Garden on 28 January. The short, 60-meter distance favors Campbell-Brown’s explosiveness, but Felix’s shorter-sprint chops were on display when she won the 2010 USA Outdoor 100m title. Arguably the most versatile sprinter in the world, Felix in 2011 won the U.S. 400m crown to go along with her five outdoor 200m crowns and captures silver over the long sprint at the World Championships.

The two will face a top field that includes defending USA Indoor champion Alexandria Anderson, 2008 Olympic Trials 100m champion Muna Lee and two-time NCAA 200m champion Porscha Lucas.

The men’s 60m is equally deep, with Olympic and World Championship medallists and finalists filling the field, including Americans Wallace Spearmon, Darvis Patton, Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford; Olympic 100m silver medallist Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands.

The men’s and women’s 60m contests will include semifinals and finals.

In the men’s 400m, 2011 World Outdoor 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada will run on the track where the World indoor record was set by LaShawn Merritt in 2005 and broken a few weeks later by Kerron Clement. James outdueled Merritt, the defending Olympic champion, to win the 2011 World title, and he is coming off a win Saturday at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. The U.S. field will include Olympic bronze medallist David Neville and 2009 USA indoor champion Jamaal Torrance.

Strong women’s Long Jump and Hurdles fields

The women’s 60m Hurdles and Long Jump will feature many of Team USA’s most accomplished athletes. In the Long Jump, World indoor and outdoor champion Brittney Reese jumps against 2011 USA indoor champion Janay DeLoach, Olympic Heptathlon silver medallist Hyleas Fountain and World outdoor finalist Funmi Jimoh.

The 60m Hurdles includes 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper, 2005 and 2007 World outdoor champion Michelle Perry, Fountain and two-time USA outdoor champion Ginnie Powell.

Held at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Center, the USA Track & Field Classic is the third stop on USA Track & Field’s 2012 Indoor Visa Championship Series. The meet will be televised on ESPN2 from 12-2 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, 12 February.

“He spoke to my mom and suggested I could practise Pole Vault. My mom told me I had two choices: to be on the street or opt for sports. I joined the EIDE without knowing what Pole Vault was,” he recalled.

As a kid, he initially took it lightly but was then motivated by the possibility of attending the National School Games like many of his classmates.

In 2004, he cleared 4.80m and joined the national junior team under the guidance of Luis Miranda. Still a junior, he enjoyed his first international success when winning the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Championships in Nassau in July 2005.

Things started to pick up when he started training with former national record holder Ruben Camino in 2007. “Our relation goes beyond an athlete-coach rapport. He is like a father for me. He is with me in the good and bad times. We have clicked well and we get along very well.”

Borges improved the national record to 5.70m and earned a place on the Cuban team for the 2008 Olympics, but did not clear any height in Beijing. He renewed his CAC title and added the Iberoamerican crown in 2010, before his magic 2011.

With 11 competitions at 5.60m or higher, Borges seized every opportunity given to him, from his Diamond League debut in Doha, a tour in Brazil and later his first European campaign.

In Europe, he found a second home in the Spanish city of Pamplona. “It would have been impossible to achieve this without their support during a training camp there. They provided me with the Poles to reach higher goals, especially the195lb 14.2 one I used to clear 5.75, 5.85 and 5.90 in Daegu. I will always be grateful to them.”

The Cuban exploit in the Pole Vault was confirmed with Yarisley Silva’s fifth place and an area record of 4.70m. Two months later, both became the first Cubans ever to win the Pan American Games gold in their event and they did in a good fashion by setting new Games records (5.80m and 4.75m).

Before departing for Europe and after a training session at Havana’s Estadio Panamericano, Borges shared his pathway to success.

“I believed I blazed the trail in my family when it comes to sports. My mom always taught me to be successful in life. This is the way I found to enjoy success. I may not have the best build for a Pole Vaulter, but I have overcome that with a lot of dedication and willingness to travel the world as one of the best in my discipline.”

Borges believes one has to have a bit of luck in sports. “You may be in good shape, but may not necessarily achieve a good result. It took me a while, but patience and hard work are starting to pay off.”

Despite success and now being more well know at home, “I remain the same person, both inside and outside the track, with my friends.”

On his family, Borges has 7-year old and an older sister. “I am in the middle. My younger sister is very active, but I am not sure she would like to practice sports. My family has always been very supportive of all decisions I have made. My grandfather Winston Reid, has shared his experiences with me. I owe everything I am as an athlete to him, my mother and grandma.”

He also has role models to look up to. “My idols are Sergey Bubka and currently Steve Hooker. Yoandri Betanzos is my current reference in Cuban athletics. He is very consistent and has always remained humble. He is a gentleman.”

On the track, Borges likes to try other sports like football, volleyball, basketball. “I love meat. I am allergic to seafood, but I love salads and fruits. I love hip-hop, Cuban rap and reggaeton and salsa ballads, different kinds,” said the young athlete, who earned his Physical Education degree in December 2010.

Borges also shared how proud he is to have been born and represent Cuba. “Those four letters weigh heavily on my vest. When people see our flag and the name of our country, people show an incredible amount of respect.”

The six-meter barrier and the London Olympics are his bigger goals. “Reaching 6 metres before seemed an unattainable dream. It is now a realistic goal and I would be honoured to join such an exclusive club.”

On the Olympics, “these will be my second Games. I just want to get there in good shape and fight with the world’s best.”

Borges agrees 2011 marked a turning point in his career. “From now on things are different. Everyone knows three’s a tiny Cuban called Lázaro Borges, who could surprise the top guys in the major events. My mentality has not charged and will attend events with nothing to lose and a lot to win, not only in athletics, but also in culture and experience. I love what I do and I can do it well,” he concluded.

Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF

Campbell-Brown’s 6.08 seconds clocking fell short of the Russia’s Irina Privalova’s 5.96, who clocked the fastest ever time over the distance, achieved in 1995.

Asumnu (Nigeria), Young (USA), Bianca Knight (USA), Alexandria Anderson (USA), Harrigan (IVB) were also in the race.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Campbell-Brown said of Saturday’s victory. “Each race is preparation for what is to come this summer.”
Campbell-Brown, who won the 200m gold medal at each of the last two Olympics and was part of the Jamaican relay that won in Beijing four years ago, burst out of the blocks and held on to win the women’s 50m dash.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” she said. “Each race is just a preparation for what’s to come this season.”
Campbell-Brown added: “Not a lot of people have run the 50 meters. This is a step in the right direction. Now I have to get back to training. Hopefully this is a preview of what is to come. The start is the key. I felt okay. I have to watch the tape to see how things looked. Feeling something and seeing something are different. I just want to do my best and hopefully my best will be victorious.” 

Veronica Campbell-Brown and Asafa Powell were listed as special guests, but while the latter was a none-starter at the event, which left the audience very disappointed, the former finished her speech like a short sprint.

During her short speech, Campbell-Brown thank the audience for their continued support and also stated that “I enjoy competing in New York because of the environment and the energy the fans bring, it gets me fired up.”

She went on to mention that she’s anxious about the competition this weekend, and is looking forward to the Jamaican crowd to support her.

The women 50m dash is set to kick off at 9:45pm ET, where the defending World Indoor champion, Campbell-Brown will face the reigning U.S Indoor Champion Alexandria Anderson.

Following the women’s is the men 50m dash scheduled for 9:55pm ET, where Asafa Powell will face a strong field. Other Caribbean athletes set to take part in that event are Kimmari Roach (JAM), Daniel Bailey (ANT), and Nesta Carter (JAM). In the men’s 600 yards, we’ll see Renny Quow (TRI) and Tabarie Henry (UVI). Davita Prendergast (JAM) will take part in the women’s 500 yards.

ESPN2 will have coverage of the meet on Sunday, January 29, from 7-9pm ET.