NDB expands to 11 members, raises $16.1bn in 2024, says Rousseff    Egypt, Somalia leaders discuss strategic partnership, counterterrorism in New Alamein    Egypt, UNDP discuss expanded cooperation on medical waste management, human development    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    EGX closes mixed on July 7th    Gold retreats as investors await tariff clarity    Egypt, UNDP discuss future health projects – Cabinet    Egypt calls for stronger central bank cooperation, local currency use at BRICS summit    Egypt's PM, Uruguay's president discuss Gaza, trade at BRICS summit    Egypt's Talaat Moustafa Group H1 sales jump 59% to EGP 211bn    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt accelerates coastal protection projects amid rising climate threats    Deadly Israeli airstrikes pound Gaza as Doha talks raise hopes for ceasefire    Egypt, Norway hold informal talks ahead of global plastic treaty negotiations    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Global tour for Korean 'K-Comics' launches in Cairo with 'Hellbound' exhibition    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger        Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's EDA joins high-level Africa-Europe medicines regulatory talks    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Athletics: Olympians to star at Diamond League opener
The season-opening Diamond League meet has the feel of a victory parade for stars of the London Olympics
Published in Ahram Online on 09 - 05 - 2013

There will be 29 medalists from London taking part Friday in what is considered the traditional start to a season that culminates this year with the world championship in Moscow. Allyson Felix, who won three golds in London, and David Rudisha, won broke the world record in winning gold in the 800, are the big names alongside a lineup that is dominated by the Americans.
Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese will be the favorite in the women's long jump while reigning Olympic and world champion Christian Taylor competes in the triple jump.
Justin Gatlin, who won bronze in the 100 meters in London, will defend his Doha title in a weakened field that includes Nesta Carter of Jamaica and fellow American Michael Rodgers. World champion Yohan Blake withdrew due to injury and six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt isn't here.
Olympic silver medalist Dawn Harper will also revive her long-running rivalry with Lolo Jones in the 100 hurdles. Jones, who finished fourth in London to again miss out on an Olympic medal, holds the edge 14-13 but Harper has beaten her in the last seven races.
Felix has acknowledged it's been a challenge to get motivated following her success in London. She took two months off - the longest break of her career - and said she is still not race ready.
''After any major championship, it's kind of hard to regroup and pick up,'' said Felix, the IAAF athlete of the year in 2012. ''I've been taking things slowly and this is year where I kind of gradually get everything together. By nationals, I'm hoping everything will be where it needs to be.''
The 27-year-old Felix will only be competing in the 400, an event she has not run since the 2011 world championships and is considered one of her weakest. She will not race in the 200, and there is no women's 100 at this meet.
Felix could find it a challenge to defend her 10-race winning streak in Doha. She is up against 2011 world champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana who beat her in South Korea and 2008 champion and 2012 silver medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain.
''Of course, I would love to keep winning. Let's see how it goes.'' She said. ''It's a great field I'll race on Friday.''
With Felix out of the 200, the favorite will be Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica who just lost to the American in London. The two-time Olympic champion in the 100, Fraser-Pryce said she is just beginning to feel comfortable in the 200.
''The 200 is something I'm getting to love,'' Fraser-Pryce said. ''Before I didn't like to do 200 because I felt it was too difficult to even the distribution of speed. The more I run it, the more I learn what is best technique or best strategy to use to run 200. I'm definitely looking forward to running both events in Moscow.
Rudisha is the biggest name in the middle and long distance races, which are short of Olympic stars in Doha.
The Kenyan is coming off a two-year reign in the 800, where he won Olympic gold, the world championship and broke the world record three times. It would seem the soft-spoken Kenyan has little more to prove, but he said there's still plenty more he wants to achieve.
''We have legends and athletes who have done tremendously well before. They have gone and won several titles in Olympics and world championships,'' Rudisha said. ''That is what we are looking forward to. I don't have the two titles at world championship and I want to defend this year in Moscow.''
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/71076.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.