by Larry Eder
David Oliver, 2010 USA Outdoor Champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
And then, there is David Oliver. David was the king of the hurdles in 2010, but had a tough 2011, missing a World Championship medal. Perhaps he was tired, perhaps he was still recovering from 22 wins in 2010. In any condition, David Oliver will be back and focused for 2012, looking for that London medal that has been his focus.
David Oliver is huge for a 110m hurdler. Guided by Brooks Johnson, David took off in 2009 and has not looked back. Noting that the 110 m hurdlers in the US may be the toughest team to make, David Oliver has taken on Dayron Robles, Lui Xiang and all of the top American hurdlers, and defeated them.
Brooks Johnson is a tough taskmaster. But David Oliver and Brooks Johnson have a successful relationship: Brooks coaches and David listens and races well. Last year was tough for both coach and athlete, as both want to excel. We shall see how they start off 2012!
Even in a tough 2011, David did not give up, he battled to the end of the season. With 2012 started, we look forward to seeing David race indoors in Boston. The New Balane Indoor fans, some of the best in the world, love the indoor hurdles and indoor sprints!
Two of our favorite athletes, Galen Rupp and David Oliver, will make the meet exciting. Add them to Mo Farah, Christian Cantwell and Morgan Uceny, and more to come, and the Reggie Lewis Center will be pumping!
There is nothing better than a great indoor track & field meet, and NB Indoor Grand Prix should be exciting!
We look forward to seeing David Oliver and Galen Rupp start their 2012 seasons at the 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix! Do not miss the meet! A ticket cost you just about the same as a trip to Taco Bell, so no excuses! See elite track & field!
Rupp & Oliver Set to Compete in Boston
American Record-Holders add to Event’s Star Power
BOSTON (Jan 17) – Distance star Galen Rupp and high hurdler David Oliver, both
American Record-Holders, have confirmed their participation in the New
Balance Indoor Grand Prix on February 4th, organizers announced today.
Tickets for the 17th annual Olympic-style event are on sale now at www.nbindoorgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-849-8722.
Galen Rupp, from Portland, OR, had one of the best annual
campaigns ever by American distance runner in 2011. Beginning with an
American Record indoors at 5000m with a mark of 13:11.44, Rupp also
shattered the outdoor American Record at 10,000m in a time of 26:48:00.
In his first attempt at the half-marathon distance, Rupp ran an eye
opening time of 60:30, making him the fastest American for the year at
this distance as well. Having already established his talents over
multiple distances, he will compete in the mile and face previously
announced IAAF World Champion at 5000m, Mo Farah of Great
Britain. “The oval at Reggie has always been good to me,” said Rupp.
“I’m ready to see what I can do indoors in the mile.”
David Oliver, who trains in Orlando, FL, had world-leading times
indoors in the 60m hurdles and outdoors in the 110m hurdles in 2011. In
setting the American Record in the 110m hurdles in 2010, Oliver also
became the 3rd fastest man in history. He is the reigning US Champion
and is one of the favorites for Olympic gold in 2012 in an event that
hasn’t been won by an American since 1996. Oliver also won the bronze
medal in the high hurdles at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Rupp and Oliver join an all-star cast of previously announced athletes that include Christian Cantwell, Matthew Centrowitz, Mo Farah, Bershawn Jackson, Kirani James, Jenny Simpson, Jenn Suhr and Morgan Uceny.
The 17th-annual meet, the second stop in USA Track & Field’s Visa
Championship Series, begins at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Reggie Lewis
Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College. Tickets and
meet Information can be found on-line at www.nbindoorgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-849-8722.
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