KENYAN MARATHON TEAM PRE-SELECTED

NAIROBI (KEN): Athletics Kenya informed about pre-selected marathon runners for the World Championships. They are 10 men and 10 women, at the end 6 could be entered and 5 will compete in Moscow. On the men side title defender and wild card holder Abel Kirui, Wilson Kipsang, Emmanuel Mutai, Mike Kipyego, Bernard Kipyego, Eliud Kipchoge, Henry Sugut, Dennis Kimetto, Bernard Koech and Peter Some. On the women side title defender Edna Kiplagat together with Lucy Kabuu, Lydia Cheromei, Prisca Jeptoo, Rita Jeptoo, Florence Kiplagat, Sharon Cherop, Margaret Agai, Filomena Cheyech and Jemima Jelagat. Should be also noted that the World Marathon Cup team event has been discontinued. In this event the wild card is not increasing the number of allowed runners.

ZARIPOVA AIMS FOR TWO GOLDS

MOSCOW (RUS): Olympic, European and world champion in women steeplechase Yuliya Zaripova confirmed to Russian media she is aiming to win at both events this summer staged in Russia: World University Games and World championships. “I have a very special spirit and motivation as both events will be held in my country. Moreover I was chosen as ambassador for Universiade in Kazan. Now I’m working hard to improve my technical skills of clearing the barriers. Experts say I have good technique but I think this is my main reserve to improve results significantly,” said Zaripova who will turn 27 this week. She also underlined that her main rival is herself. “The basis for success is only hard work. If I’ll do everything we planned and will avoid injuries I should have no problems in fight against Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. And, please, don’t take it as an unpolite,” added Zaripova.

PRAGUE LOOKS FOR FAST TIMES

PRAHA (CZE): The Volkswagen Prague Marathon looks set to continue its rise in quality of performances with the latest edition ready for May 12. Seven runners with personal bests of sub 2:10 are on the start list released by the organisers. Among them is the fastest runner ever entered for the Volkswagen Prague Marathon: Kenya’s Albert Matebor has a personal best of 2:05:25. The women’s field looks equally impressive with half a dozen competitors who have run faster than 2:25 in their careers. Top of the women’s rankings is Lydia Cheromei of Kenya who returns to the Czech capital where she set the current course record of 2:22:34 in 2011. Men course record 2:05:39 by Eliud Kiptanui is from 2010. Matebor has only had one race this year when he finished second in the Mardrid half marathon with 1:03:02 earlier this month. Albert Matebor’s regular training group at home in Kapngetuny includes Geoffrey Mutai, the Boston Marathon course record holder and their sessions take advantage of the area’s 2,300 metres’ altitude. Two more Kenyans are having sub 2:07 Mariko Kipchumba achieved a major improvement in knocking almost three minutes off his best last October in winning the Reims Marathon in France with 2:06:05. His fellow Kenyan Benjamin Kiptoo (2:06:31) has won a number of significant international marathons in the past few years. Among them are Beijing (2008), Rome (2009) and Paris, where he clocked his personal best in 2011. While last year’s third placed runner in Prague, Philemon Limo (2:09:25), also returns, a debutant could spring a surprise: Amanuel Mesel (Eritrea) ran a superb race at the recent Hervis Prague Half Marathon, finishing second with a personal best of 60:10 in very cold weather conditions. For Cheromei the strongest female opponents will be: Koren Jelela (Ethiopia/2:22:43), Caroline Rotich (Kenya/2:23:22), Ehitu Kiros (Ethiopia/2:23:39), Philes Ongori (Kenya/2:24:20), Azusa Nojiri (Japan/2:24:57) and Selomie Getnet (Ethiopia/2:25:15). Top Europeans are Ukrainian Yulia Ruban and Russian Tatyana Aryasova. Czech runners will fight for national titles.

OTHER NEWS

LEVERKUSEN (GER): Hammer World record Betty Heidler will start her season end of May in Frankisch-Crumbach followed by meetings including Eugene and Ostrava. She will be until May 12 in South Africa at the training camp. Her main goal for the year is the medal at World Championships in Moscow.

TASHKENT (UZB): Organizers of the annual Tashkent marathon decided to postpone the race from April 28 for an indefinite period after the tragic events in Boston. Instead of marathon there will be a charity concert scheduled for April 27. Uzbek National Association „In the Name of Life”, Susan Komen Foundation (USA), the Forum fund and ‘Women meet’ company made combined statement that they „join the idea of ??sympathy and support for the victims of the sad events in Boston.” The decision was made after Uzbekistan declared increased security measures “for all events outside the stadiums and other protected areas.”

KYIV (UKR): During team sport schools championships in Yalta (April 25-26) Ukraine will start new project within the framework of Youth world championships preparation. “Championships in the view of youth” project has the main goal to show athletics competitions in pictures and photos which will be making by the children of the same age. Young painters and photographers will reflect not only what they see on the track and field but how they see, feel and experience athletics watching real youth events on the stadium.

KYIV (UKR): 400 m hurdles finalist of Beijing Olympics (4th place) and Daegu world championships (5th place) Anastasiya Rabchenyuk doesn’t plan international competitions season this summer except of the World championships in Moscow. 29-year-old Ukrainian missed last Olympic season because of pregnancy. She gave a birth to a son Mykyta on September 14, 2012 and made a greatest gift ever for her on own birthday. Coached by her husband Serhiy Basenko Rabchenyuk began her trainings three months after the birth. Serious practices were started in March at Kislovodsk training camp. “I didn’t begin my hurdles training yet as my velocity not enough for technical practices. But I’m doing pretty good now and feel I missed competitions atmosphere very much. I want to perform at national championships in July to get the standard for Moscow. My main goal for current season is not only to perform in Luzhniki in August but achieve the final there,” said Rabchenyuk from her training camp in Kremyennaya in Lugansk region in Ukraine.

MOSCOW (RUS): High jump Beijing 2008 Olympic champion Andrey Silnov (28) became a father. His wife Aleksandra gave a birth for their first son Semyon on April 22. Baby was born with 55cm height. Both mother and baby are doing well, Russian media are informing.

MOSCOW (RUS): Another new member of the athletics family is the daughter of long jumper Anna Nazarova. She is 52 cm and 3.2 kg. Mother was fifth last year at Olympic Games and also European U23 Champion 2007 and Universiade winner 2011 with personal best 711 cm.

PHOENIX (USA): Dan Pfaff, the world-renowned American athletics coach who mentored many of Britain’s top athletes ahead of London 2012, has been named as the new head coach at World Athletics Centre in Phoenix, Arizona. Pfaff previously served as director of the Lee Valley High Performance Centre from 2009 to 2012 where he worked with the likes of long jump star Greg Rutherford, who took gold at the Olympic Games. The American left the role after his contract ended with UK Athletics following London 2012 but he has now been appointed head up the World Athletics Centre, which was founded in 2008 as a training base for the world’s top athletes. Pfaff has coached nine Olympic medallists and five world record-holders during a glittering 39-year career, including Canadian Donovan Bailey, winner of the Olympic 100 meters gold medal at Atlanta 1996. Rutherford is now training at the World Athletics Centre with the coach while other high-profile athletes set to re-locate to Phoenix include Beijing 2008 Olympic pole vault champion Steve Hooker of Australia and British male and female pole vault national record-holders Steve Lewis and Holly Bleasdale. Writes insidethegames.

MOSCOW (RUS): Press office of Moscow Department of Competition informed that Moscow authorities are ready to spend more than 66 million rubles (about 2 million 200 thousand USD) for the organization and carrying out of the World championships opening and closing ceremonies. Tender was announced already and contains some special requirements for future contractor. Executor will have a term until June 15 to develop and agree with the customer the creative concept and scenario plan for two ceremonies scheduled for August 10 and 18 in Luzhniki stadium. Applications will be accepted until May 21 and winner of competitions will be announced on May 23.

MOSCOW (RUS): Not only Daegu Winners 2011 and Diamond Race Winners 2012 will have wild cards for the World Championships in Moscow. Also the winners of IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge 2012. They are Betty Heidler and Krisztian Pars. That means in case athletes with necessary standards will be available Germany in women and Hungary in men competitions will be able to have four competitors.

PARIS (FRA): Via his twitter account, middle distance runner and former European Champion Mehdi Baala announced he would take for 99 percent his retirement at the end of this season. He still plans to be in top shape at World Championships in Moscow.

IRVINE (USA): Asics America announced it re-signed two-time 60 m hurdles indoor World Champion Lolo Jones. „I’m delighted to extend my relationship with ASICS for both my track and field and bobsledding endeavors,” said Jones. „The quality of ASICS shoes, apparel and accessories is world-class. I feel I’m in excellent hands with ASICS as they share my passion for competition and continuous improvement.” Jones has next meet in her hometown of Des Moines at Drake Relays.

LONDON (GBR): Olympic 5000 m and 10 000 m champion Mo Farah says it is „wonderful” that the public will be able to run on the track where he, Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis and David Weir won gold at London 2012. Up to 10 000 members of the public are set to take part in the National Lottery Anniversary Run on July 21 in one of a series of events to welcome people back to the Olympic Park a year after the Games. There is also a 2km family fun run for up to 2000 children and adults. The site is reopening in phases as the newly-name
d Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from July. It is to be fully open by spring 2014. UK media are informing.

BRUSSELS (BEL): Almost 20.000 tickets have already been sold currently for this year’s edition of the Belgacom Memorial Van Damme. The event as IAAF Diamond League final will be held on September 6.

AMSTERDAM (NED): Dutch athlete Koen Smet managed selection for the European U23 championships in his first race where he ran 13.83 over the high hurdles. Smet’s ambition was to break the 14 second barrier and he succeeded in his first competition of the season. The Dutchman added he could be among the top contenders at this year’s U23 championships in Tampere.

RESULTS

DES MOINES (USA, Apr 23): Kate Grace and Garrett Heath broke course records to claim the USA 1 Mile Road Race Championships at the Wellmark Grand Blue Mile in downtown Des Moines. Grace’s record time of 4:43.02 allowed her to defeat two-time defending Grand Blue Mile champion, Sara Hall, who finished in 4:43.61. Third Heather Kampf 4:43.69. Long distance runner Shannon Rowbury was 6th in 4:45.39. Heath claimed the men’s championship with a sprint to the finish in the final 100 meters to triumph in a course record time of 4:02.79. Second-place finisher Jeff See also finished under the previous record with a time of 4:02.91. 2012 London Olympics 1,500-meter silver medalist Leo Manzano ran 4:03.59 to place third. Drake web informs.

PATIALA (IND, Apr 24): Machettira Raju Poovamma improved her personal best in 400 m to 52.75 during second day of Federation Cup. Kushbir Kaur won the women 20 km walk in 1:37:28. Arokia Rajiv was the best in men 400 m and equaled his PB 46.57.

CORRECTION

PATIALA (IND): At 17th Federation Cup the winner of triple jump was Arpinder Singh with 16.84 what is second best in India all-time, Renjith Maheswari was second 16.65.