Zurich Golden League Preview
Many of Team USA's Olympic medalists and brightest stars will compete in
front of an expected sell-out crowd of 26,000 fans Friday at the fifth
IAAF Golden League Meet of the season, the 2008 Weltklasse in Zurich,
Switzerland. This year's Golden League will conclude in Brussels on
Friday, September 5.
Beijing 100m and 200m bronze medalist Walter Dix will get another shot
at Jamaica's world record holder and Olympic champion Usain Bolt in the
men's 100 meters on Friday. Bolt will face seven of the eight Olympic
100m finalists, including 2004 Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn
Crawford, who won the silver in that event in Beijing.
2008 Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt will take on 2007 World Outdoor
gold medalist Jeremy Wariner in the men's 400 meters, with Beijing
bronze medalist David Neville also expected to answer the gun. The
women's one-lapper will feature Olympic bronze medalist and former
Golden League jackpot winner Sanya Richards, who ended the last three
seasons ranked #1 in the world at 400 meters. Richards will be
challenged by fellow Team USA Olympic 4x400m relay gold medalist Mary
Wineberg, and Beijing 400m silver medalist Shericka Williams of Jamaica.
Two-time World Outdoor Championships gold medalist and two-time Olympic
silver medalist Allyson Felix will be a heavy favorite in the women's
200 meters where she'll do battle with 2005 World Outdoor 100m champion
Lauryn Williams and 2008 Olympic fifth-place finisher Marshevet Hooker.
In hurdles action, Olympic 100m hurdles gold medalist Dawn Harper will
compete in Zurich for the first time in her career where she'll face a
rematch with 2008 Olympic finalist, reigning Olympic Trials champion and
2008 World Indoor Championships gold medalist Lolo Jones. World record
holder and 2008 Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba will face a
strong challenge from U.S. Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver and
fellow Americans Anwar Moore, Joel Brown and Aries Merritt.
The three Americans who swept the men's 400m hurdles medals at the 2008
Olympic Games will look for a similar performance in Zurich. 2000
Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor won his second Olympic title in
Beijing, where he was closely followed by 2007 World Outdoor champion
Kerron Clement (silver medal) and 2005 World Champs gold medalist
Bershawn Jackson (bronze).
In field event action, Beijing silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski will do
battle with 2008 Olympic champion and world record holder Yelena
Isinbayeva of Russia in the women's pole vault, 2005 World Outdoor
Championships silver medalist and reigning Olympic Trials champion
Chaunte Howard will compete in the women's high jump and Olympic Trials
champion Trevell Quinley will look for a win in the men's long jump.
For more information on the 2008 Weltklasse Zurich, including the
complete results, visit: IAAF.org.
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