03.07.2009

Big test for Aussies in Oslo

There’s six weeks to go until the starting gun fires for the commencement of the Berlin world championships and Australia’s athletes are busy testing themselves against some of the world’s best on the European circuit as the countdown to Berlin continues.

Bislett Games, Oslo, Norway – Friday, 3 July 2009

Friday night marks the return of the US$1 million IAAF Golden League, the second leg to be staged in the Norwegian capital city of Oslo. The Bislett Games will feature six Australians, five of whom who have already secured their ticket to the world championships.

Australian champion Collis Birmingham, who is yet to decide whether he will contest the 5,000m or 10,000m in Berlin, will have a task ahead of him in the men’s 5000m in Oslo.

An invaluable experience ahead of his first world championships campaign, Birmingham will take on a field which contains no fewer than ten athletes who have personal bests of under 13 minutes.

Considering the calibre of athletes he will line up against, there is every chance the 24-year-old will go close to his 13:16.26 personal best set in Melbourne earlier this year. 

Headlining the start list is Kenenisa Bekele, the Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion, who holds the world record of 12:37.35. Countryman Sileshi Sihine (12:47.04) and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea (12:59.21) will provide the strongest challenge to the great Ethiopian.

Leading the Kenyan charge will be Abraham Chebii (12:52.99) a previous winner at Bislett who was second to Bekele in Berlin, Moses Masai (12:50.55) and Olympic bronze medallist Edwin Soi (12:52.40).

The women’s 400m will feature a much-anticipated showdown between Britain’s world and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and her fellow Beijing medallists Shericka Williams (JAM) and Sanya Richards (USA).

Holding the world leading time of 49.57, Richards captured her fourth US outdoor title in 50.05 seconds last weekend, and looks to be sneaking ahead as the slight favourite.

Tamsyn Lewis will fly the Aussie flag in this tough 400m race. Lewis holds a personal best of 51.42 seconds for the 400m, and given the level of quality competition a faster time could be on the cards in Oslo tonight.

The 30-year-old is expected to confirm in the next couple of weeks if she will compete in the 400m or 400m hurdles in Berlin.

Sean Wroe, who opened his European account in Lille on Tuesday night with a third place finish in 45.76sec, will contest the men’s 400m. His strongest opposition will come from the sub-45 second credentialed trio of Gary Kikaya (COD), Johan Wissman (SWE) and Leslie Djhone (FRA).

Touted by Chris Turner from the IAAF as “a possible prospect for running fame and glory” Ryan Gregson will contest the 1500m, his last hit out prior to the world university games in Belgrade which kick off on Tuesday.

Fresh from running a PB of 3:59.67 for the mile in Ostrava two weeks ago, the 19-year-old faces a talented and experienced field which includes a plethora of Africans and Ireland’s Alister Cragg who has a best time of 3:36.18.

The final event on the program, the famous Bislett Games dream mile will feature our own Jeff Riseley.

The 22-year-old has recorded personal bests of 3:35.71 for the 1500m and 3:54.24 for the mile this year, and will once again be looking to chalk up another fast time tonight.

Outright favourite Augustine Choge will be the one to beat. The Kenyan has been in magnificent form this season, with fast victories over 1500m in Doha (3:30.20) and at Berlin Golden League (3:29.47), the latter a personal best for the distance.

Madrid Grand Prix, Spain – Saturday, 4 July 2009

The much anticipated nationals re-match between Australian long jumpers Fabrice Lapierre and Mitchell Watt is scheduled for this Saturday night at the Madrid Grand Prix in Spain.

In Brisbane back in March the enthralling men’s long jump final saw Lapierre land a massive 8.29m (w:0.8) jump on his final attempt to snatch the national title ahead of the emerging Watt with 8.10m. The last-ditch jump was the third best ever recorded by an Australian male.

The pair have been in scintillating form in recent times. Competing against quality opposition, Lapierre registered 8.02m at the Prefontaine Classic, 8.04m at the Berlin Golden League and 8.13m in Ostrava.

Twenty-one-year-old Watt has produced eight 8-metre jumps this year, his most recent an 8.15m leap in Lille on Tuesday night.  

However, the headline grabber of the competition will no doubt be Irving Saladino. The reigning world and Olympic champion from Panama has already jumped 8.63m this year at the Prefontaine Classic.

Chasing an 800m A-qualifier for the world championships, Madeleine Pape will also be in action. The 25-year-old Victorian will be aiming to clock a sub-two minute time in the women’s event.

Sotteville, France – Sunday, 5 July 2009

Sally McLellan kicks off her hectic European campaign in Sotteville, France on Sunday.

The 22-year-old will embark on a gruelling pre-world championships schedule consisting of nine competitions in 26 days over both the 100m hurdles and flat 100m.

McLellan will compete at the Rome (July 10) and Paris (July 17) Golden League meets, along with four Super Grand Prix meets, Lausanne (July 7), London (July 24/25), Monaco (July 28) and Stockholm (July 31).