World medallists move on to Sheffield Grand Prix
Tonique Williams-Darling from the Bahamas celebrates
with her national flag after she won the women's 400
meters in 49.55 during the 10th IAAF World
Championships at Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland
on Wednesday,
August 10, 2005. (Photo by Mark Love/
Youngs Photoreflex Images)
by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Correspondent
Friday, August 19, 2005
SHEFFIELD, England: Another strong Caribbean contingent will be on show at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix scheduled for the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield on Sunday, 21 August. Heading the list are: World and Olympic 400-metres champion Tonique Williams-Darling from the Bahamas, Jamaicans Veronica Campbell, Usain Bolt and Michael Frater, as well as Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Frater and Collins to battle with Greene The men’s 100m will see the top two finishers from the just-concluded world championships in Helsinki going head-to-head again. Former Olympic and World champion Maurice Greene of USA will face Frater, the silver medallist from Helsinki and Collins, the bronze medallist in a strong dash line-up, which also includes reigning world and European 60m champion Jason Gardener of Britain. Greene, a spectator in Helsinki due a hamstring injury he sustained at the US trials, is warning his younger rivals not to take him for granted, as he is ready to go at full speed. "I’m fit and ready to race at The Norwich Union British Grand Prix," Greene said on Tuesday. "I’ve had to watch from the stands this week, but the rest of the guys shouldn’t underestimate me and I’ll be looking to do something special in Sheffield," he added. Also slated to face the starters in the event will be the Trinidadian duo of Marc Burns and Darrel Brown, who were also finalists at the worlds. Gardener and Marlon Devonich will give the home supporters something to cheer about.
Campbell putting Helsinki behind her Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell will want to quickly put her surprise medal shutout in the women’s 200m
behind her when she faces the starter in the 100m dash. Campbell, the Olympic champion over 200m, will face competition from Olympic champion Yuliya Nesterenko of Belarus and two other Helsinki finalists, Muna Lee of USA and Jamaica’s Sherone Simpson. Former world 100m and 60m champion Zhanna Block from Ukraine and Aleen Bailey of Jamaica will also be on show in the event. The men’s 200m will see world junior champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica going up against Americans Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and John Capel. Another Caribbean event speciallist, Aaron Armstrong of Trinidad, will also be a part of a top class half-lap line-up. World champion Allyson Felix of USA will start as favourite in the women’s category. The teenage sensation, who ended Campbell's five-year winning streak, will come up against compatriot Lauryn Williams, Cydonie Mothersill from the Cayman Islands as well as Russia’s Yuliya
Gushchina. Belgium’s Kim Gevaert and Bailey will also feature in the event.
Williams-Darling vs. Richards again Bahamian Tonique Williams-Darling heads a strong list of athletes down to compete in the women’s 400m. Among those down to challenge the Bahamian are, world leader Sanya Richards of USA,
and compatriot Monique Hennagan. Christine Amertil from the Bahamas will also be another person to look out for, especially in the first 300m of race. The field will also include Jamaica’s Lorraine Fenton, and
the British pair of Donna Fraser and Christine Ohuruogu. The men’s race will feature see world indoor champion Alleyne Francique of Grenada leading the charges for the Caribbean. Jamaicans Michael Blackwood and Sanjay Ayre are also sub-45 400m this year and could just sneak up for the gold. On the other hand, the favourite will definitely be American Darold Williamson, who
has a season and personal best time of 44.27 seconds over the distance. He is also the second fastest man in the world this year behind training partner Jeremy Wariner.
Back...
Most popular
articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
Printable
version
| 
