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Thursday, 23 July 2009 Bolt prepares to perform twice in his ‘second home’ London – PREVIEW - IAAF World Athletics Tour
All smiles - Usain Bolt after his convincing win in London in 2007 (Getty Images)
London, UK - Many of the world's greatest athletes will be at Crystal Palace for the Aviva London Grand Prix this weekend (24/25 July).
The Aviva London Grand Prix is a Super Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2009.
The rich list of champions, record holders and world leaders is topped by Usain Bolt who will race over 100m at the south London venue for the first time. The London-based Jamaican has described the track as “like a second home” and he will doubtless enjoy the noisy support of the UK capital’s colourful Caribbean community.
“This will be my fifth year in a row competing at Crystal Palace,” says Bolt. “On all four previous occasions I’ve run the 200, so it will be good to go out there and see what I can do in the 100.”
After his rainy 9.79 in Paris last week great things will be expected, especially if the weather shows even a hint of warmth. Unfortunately, the forecast is for … yep, rain.
“I seem to be bringing the rain wherever I go,” says Bolt, who has braved downpours in Paris and Lausanne in the last few weeks.
Not that the World record holder will have it all his own way in London, whatever the weather. The impressive 100m cast includes fellow Jamaicans Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake, plus Antiguan Daniel Bailey and Americans Travis Padgett, Rae Edwards and Ivory Williams. Powell could eclipse Maurice Greene’s record of 52 sub-10 performances if he dips below the 10-second barrier here, something he has done three times already on this track.
British champion Simeon Williamson will be out to impress too, but he and the other Britons may have their work cut out just to make the final.
The men’s 100m is billed to bring Friday evening’s action to a close and Bolt will return to see out Saturday afternoon’s schedule too when he faces Tyson Gay for the first time this year in the 4x100m relay.
http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=52241.html
All smiles - Usain Bolt after his convincing win in London in 2007 (Getty Images)
London, UK - Many of the world's greatest athletes will be at Crystal Palace for the Aviva London Grand Prix this weekend (24/25 July).
The Aviva London Grand Prix is a Super Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2009.
The rich list of champions, record holders and world leaders is topped by Usain Bolt who will race over 100m at the south London venue for the first time. The London-based Jamaican has described the track as “like a second home” and he will doubtless enjoy the noisy support of the UK capital’s colourful Caribbean community.
“This will be my fifth year in a row competing at Crystal Palace,” says Bolt. “On all four previous occasions I’ve run the 200, so it will be good to go out there and see what I can do in the 100.”
After his rainy 9.79 in Paris last week great things will be expected, especially if the weather shows even a hint of warmth. Unfortunately, the forecast is for … yep, rain.
“I seem to be bringing the rain wherever I go,” says Bolt, who has braved downpours in Paris and Lausanne in the last few weeks.
Not that the World record holder will have it all his own way in London, whatever the weather. The impressive 100m cast includes fellow Jamaicans Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake, plus Antiguan Daniel Bailey and Americans Travis Padgett, Rae Edwards and Ivory Williams. Powell could eclipse Maurice Greene’s record of 52 sub-10 performances if he dips below the 10-second barrier here, something he has done three times already on this track.
British champion Simeon Williamson will be out to impress too, but he and the other Britons may have their work cut out just to make the final.
The men’s 100m is billed to bring Friday evening’s action to a close and Bolt will return to see out Saturday afternoon’s schedule too when he faces Tyson Gay for the first time this year in the 4x100m relay.
http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=52241.html
TIM BO - 24. Jul, 14:02
