by Larry EderSince the World Indoor Champs, rumors have continued to build over the challenges that the IAAF is facing in 2010. At the first Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar, President Diack went on the record stating that while there might be some challenging economic situations, the IAAF was not, as some had suggested, about to experience a financial collapse. On May 29, the IAAF announced $20 million in cuts from the budget.
IAAF TO CUT THE BUDGET
MONTE CARLO (MON): The
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is to cut its budget
by $20 million through a combination of cuts and savings from
a favourable exchange rate, the President Lamine Diack announced. Writes
insidethegames.biz. The cuts are expected to come from all departments in the
IAAF, such as spending reductions in travel and phone costs. Diack made the
announcement after the executive board (composed of president, vice-presidents
and treasurer) meeting. Next council meeting is planned for August 8 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
RESULTS
SOCHI (RUS, May 27-28): At
Russian Team Championships Olga Kucherenko leaped to world leading 713 (+2.0)
in long jump. It is also her lifetime best. Second Latvian guest Ineta Radevica
(665) and third reigning European Champion Lyudmila Kolchanova (662). Yulia
Katsura posted European leading 100
m with 11.22 (+1.7) ahead of Anna Gurova (11.24). In
other women races Natalya Antyukh won the 200 m (23.03) and Kseniya Zadorina the 400 m (51.07). Experienced
Yelena Zadorozhnaya won the 5000
m (15:30.55). Solid also 55.84 of Natalya Ivanova at 400 m hurdles, 14.39 in triple jump for
Natalya Kutyakova and 65.01
in discus by olympic winner 2004 Natalya Sadova. Best
male result was 233 by Aleksandr Shustov in high jump what means that he
equalled the world lead of Dusty Jonas and is of course European mark of the
2010. Second Beijing gold medalist Andrey Silnov cleared 230 for first time
since 2008. Olympic and world discus finalist Bogdan Pishchalnikov improved to
excellent 67.23 personal best. In other throws Anton Lyuboslavskiy achieved
20.04 (shot put) and Igor Vinichenko 78.13 (hammer). Ivan Tukhtachev registered
great middle distances double after 1:47.00 and 3:40.04. Vladimir Krasnov
clocked 45.72 to win the 400 m.
YALTA (UKR, May 27-29):
Excellent marks at Ukrainian Cup meet. European leaders of the season by
Natalya Lupu at 800 m
(1:59.59), Olha Saladukha in triple jump (14.78, +0.6), multiple terrain champion
Sergiy Lebid with 7:47.35 at 3000
m and relay team 3:30.61 in the women 4×400 m. Oleksandr
Pyatnytsa achieved new Ukrainian record in javelin with 84.11. Ihor Bodrov
clocked 20.61 (+0.7) in the 200
m, Viktor Kuznetsov leaped to good 17.32 (+1.4) in triple
jump, Andriy Semenov got 20.20
in shot put, European U23 medalist Ivan Hryshyn improved
to 63.27 in
discus. In women events Yelizaveta Bryzgina clocked 22.98 (-0.7) at 200 m, Antonina Yefremova
51.36 at 400 m
and Anna Mishchenko 4:09.36 in the 1500 m. Anastasiya Rabchenyuk won the 400 m hurdles in 55.46
beating Anna Yaroshchuk who bettered her PB to 55.98. Vita Styopina cleared 192 in high jump, Viktoriya
Rybalko achieved windy 677 (+2.3) in long jump and Vira Rebryk got 61.87 in javelin.
YALTA (UKR, May 27-28):
Ukrainian combined events national titles for Yevhen Nikitin in decathlon
(7806) and Inna Akhozova in heptathlon (5849).
UBERLANDIA (BRA): Fourth meet
of Brazilian May Tour in Uberlandia registered an unexpected win of Josanne
Lucas from Trinidad at 400 m
hurdles (55.25) over Olympic and world champion Melaine Walker (55.90) who was
third. Second Nickeisha Wilson of Jamaica achieved 55.68. World indoor champion
Dwain Chambers won the men’s 100
m with 10.19 sec running into a headwind of 3.2 m/s.
Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas finished second (10.27) and Leroy Dixon of the US
third (10.31). Alian Pompey of Guyana won the women’s 400m in 52.01 to finish
ahead of Christine Amertil of Bahamas who was second in 52.31 seconds.
Lashauntea Moore clocked 11.48 (-2.1) to win the 100 m. Xavier Carter was the
best over 200 m
(20.86, -3.3) and Davide Kleberson was the best in the 800 m (1:45.58). World
champion Philips Idowu did not jump, when he felt a small cramp during the
warm-up. Cuban winner Alexis Copello leaped to 16.76 (-2.2). The tour will end
on Sunday in Maringa.
HAIFA (ISR, May 26): New high
jump national record at Israeli Grand Prix meet as Ma´ayan Foreman cleared 188 cm.
TAIPEI (TPE, May 28-29):
Jamaican relay olympic winner Michael Frater clocked 10.14 (+0.1) to win the
Taipei Open International Meet. In discus duel Poland´s Piotr Malachowski beat
German world champion Robert Harting (67.81-65.78). In Saturday programme two
good Polish wins. Oly champ Tomasz Majewski was the best in shot put (20.45)
and Sylwester Bednarek in high jump (226). Kenyan Bernard Mbugua achieved in
a solo steeple race 8:25.87. World champion Valerie Vili was the best in
women shot put (20.24).
NIJMEGEN (NED, May 26): At
running meet fast 5000 m
by Kenyan Gideon Kipketer 13:15.77 ahead of his team-mate Vincent Yator
(13:16.05). As 12th Jesper Van der Wielen clocked new Dutch junior record
13:50.43. In the 1500 m
races the winners were Almensch Belete 4:13.61 and Benjamin Kiplagat 3:41.29.
JOGEVA (EST, May 27): Estonian
circuit Big Bank Kuldliiga started with first leg. Taavi Peetre achieved 20.17 in shot put and
Ainars Kovals 80.51 with javelin.
DESSAU (GER, May 28): European
Athletics Classic Meetings circuit started with 12th edition of „Anhalt” meet
in Dessau. The sensation of the evening was the 800 m win by Fabienne
Kohlmann in 2:00.72 who clearly beat olympic champion Pamela Jelimo of Kenya
(2:02.28). Another sensation in women javelin as Linda Stahl (62.65) beat
olympic medalist and world leader Mariya Abakumova from Russia (62.04). On the
men side Ari Mannio of Finland won the javelin (82.00) beating Latvian Vadim
Vasilevskis (81.20). Local hero Raul Spank was second in high jump (221) and
beaten by 2007 world champion Donald Thomas (224). Raphael Holzdeppe cleared
550 to win the pole vault. Nicholas Kemboi was the best over 1500 m (3:38.29). US Ryan
Fontenot was the best at 110 m
hurdles (13.58, +0.1). Briton Marlon Devonish won the 200 m (20.87, +0.3) and was
second in the 100 m
(10.34, 0.0). Nigerian Egwero Ogho-Oghene won in 10.30.
GREENSBORO (USA, May 27-28):
NCAA Regional East meet saw some excellent marks. Johnny Dutch clocked 48.12 in the 400 m hurdles (second fastest
of the year). Jeff Demps achieved 10.06 (+1.3) in his race, faster was Marcus
Rowland with 10.04 in
other race, but was aided by +2.4. Calvin Smith jr. posted 45.06 in his race over
Belgian Kevin Borlee (45.28). Tavaris Tate was the best in next race (45.05)
and young Kirani James of Grenada in the third one (45.17). Bermudan Aaron
Evans achieved 1:46.26 in the 800
m what is also new national record. Jamaican Samantha
Henry was the best in sprints (11.18, +1.1 and 22.99, -0.6). Ti´erra Brown
clocked 54.74 in
the 400 m
hurdles opening rounds. Qualifiers will have finals at NCAA Championships in
Eugene (June 9-12).
AUSTIN (USA, May 27-28): Ryan
Whiting improved in the shot put in the NCAA West Regional competition to
21.83. It is also second best mark of the year. Impressive 804 (+0.8) long jump
lifetime best for world indoor heptathlon record holder Ashton Eaton. Jeshua
Anderson clocked 48.65 in
the 400 m
hurdles. Andrew Wheating was timed at 1:46.44 in 800 m. Bahamian Demetrius
Pinder improved to 44.93 at 400
m, Curtis Mitchell achieved also PB in 200 m 20.27 (+0.1). Porscha
Lucas was the fastest in women sprint with 11.18 (+0.5) and 22.98 (+0.6).
Jessica Beard as the fastest in the 400 m achieved 51.35. Qualifiers will have
finals at NCAA Championships in Eugene (June 9-12).
OSTRAVA
FLASH-BACK
OSTRAVA (CZE): Sold out City
Stadium (22 000) saw another succesfull (49th) edition of the Ostrava Golden
Spike meeting. Six world leading marks (men 100, 300, 3000, javelin, women 10
000, hammer), three meet records (100, 300, 3000). Also 7 European leading
marks were registered. In official 100 yards splits 9.07 and 9.09 by Asafa Powell
and 10.15 by Shelly-Ann Fraser were all-time world bests. Yevgeniya Polyakova
achieved European all-time best 10.45. The impressive 13.12 by Dayron Robles is
one of the fastest times ever in pouring rain. Specially men´s 110 m hurdles and women 100 m were held in the
strongest rain. The results all sprinters would be able to achieve in good
weather remained as not fulfilled dream of the organizers. After the event
which is broadcasted in more than 130 countries world-wide journalists asked
what is missing that the meet is not included in the IAAF Diamond League.
Golden Spike meet director legendary Jan Zelezny was able to answer: „We always
stated we wanted to be part of it. For the first year we were not invited, but
we are remaining hopeful for the future. The financial guarantees are
available, great spectators, media interest and mainly top stars like Usain
Bolt and Asafa Powell or Dayron Robles like our event and we hope they will be
returning. We do not have too many arguments to offer why we are not invited.
I can only guess it is because the series wants to be world-wide and
cannot have too many European events even when there are differences in quality
of some aspects. On the other hand the Central and Eastern part of Europe which
produces high quality athletes is not represented in the circuit. Our excellent
spectators who remained in the non-covered stands despite the rain until the
end deserve my big thank you.”
OTHER NEWS
ATHENS (GRE): The European
Classic outdoor meet planned for June 30 to Thessaloniki was moved to the city
of Patra.
SAN FRANCISCO (USA): San
Francisco’s Bay to Breakers road race was stripped of main sponsor ING.
OSLO (NOR): Men’s Shot Put
finally returns to the EXXON Mobil Bislett Games in Oslo, June4, after 10 years
of silence. This will be the second men’s Shot Put competition in the IAAF
Diamond League series. All top throwers including world champion Christian
Cantwell, olympic gold medalist Tomasz Majewski. Informs iaaf.org.
PORT OF SPAIN (TRI): Reigning
Commonwealth bronze medallist Cleopatra Borel-Brown wants to win in the women’s
shot put at the 2010 Commonwealth Games set for New Delhi, India from October
3rd to 14th. “The goal for this year is to bring another Commonwealth medal
back to Trinidad and Tobago,” said for TrackAlerts.
CAPE TOWN (RSA): Caster Semenya
is not banned from competition, Athletics South Africa (ASA) has made it clear.
But she is still waiting for her gender verification tests from IAAF, which are
not expected until June. She has not competed since winning a gold medal
at the Berlin world championships. Her coach said that the meet on June 24 is
canceled but she said for Reuters: „I’m still training every day. Every athlete
wants a gold at the Olympics, and that’s still my goal.”
CANBERRA (AUS): Five athletes
have been added to the list of nominations to the Australian athletics team for
the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, in October. Marathon runners
Lisa Flint, Martin Dent, Jeff Hunt and Michael Shelley will join Lisa
Weightman, who earned automatic nomination to the team at the IAAF world
championships in Berlin. Informs athletics.com.au.
HENGELO (NED): South African
Rene Kalmer will pace Ethiopian Meseret Defar, the second fastest woman ever
over 5 000m, in a world record attempt at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games,
an IAAF World Challenge meeting, in Hengelo, May 30. „There will be two pace
makers, and the first girl will take us through 1 000m, or 1 500m if she can.
Then I’m taking Defar through the 2 000m mark, said Kalmer for supersport.com.
Olympic winner Pamela Jelimo was the latest addition into the women 800 m field.
KAMPALA (UGA): Moses Kipsiro
confirmed that he will make his debut at the IAAF Diamond League in Rome after
missing in Qatar and Shanghai. Informs allafrica.com.
LONDON (GBR): The 2012
organizing committee aims at involving young people into the Olympic movement
as they plan the route of the Olympic Torch relay. For the next 70 days
a total of 8,000 torch bearers will help the flame around the UK before
reaching its final destination, London, the weekend before the 2012 Games begin
on July 27. London 2012 is committed to making sure at least 50 percent of the
4000 torch bearers are under the age of 24. The route is planned only within
the UK and not internationally to avoid problems with protesters, as happened
in 2008 writes insidethegames.biz.
SPLIT (CRO): The mascot for the
IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup was unveiled during a kids athletics event
in Split writes iaaf.org. The mascot is named Marino and will help promote the
event held in Split on September 4th and 5th.
LONDON (GBR):Margaret Ford, the
chair of the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC), confirmed the future of the
Olympic Stadium should be finalised by the end of the year and that the final
decision will be based on more than who can generate the most income writes
insidethegames.biz. A number of different sports have shown interest in
using the Olympic stadium post-Games. Ford made clear the decision will not solely
depend on who brings the most money as the OPLC will also look into what the
tenants will do on subjects such as helping the local community or sustaining
the environment.
ROME (ITA): The Italian
athletics federation has announced its team for the European cup 10 000m in
Marseille on June 5th. Three athletes have been selected for the men’s team and
four on the women’s team.
CORRECTION
SOFIA (BUL, May 26): The 100 m times were not
confirmed as automatic. That means no national record for Turkey as informed in
EME NEWS on May 27. Also the time of Vania Stambolova was confirmed as 22.7
hand timed.
