SHOCK: WANJIRU IS DEAD

NAIROBI (KEN): Athletics world is shocked. Reigning
olympic marathon winner Sammy Wanjiru has died. From a fall from a balcony at
his home. The news was reported to Race Results Weekly in a telephone call by
Shadrack Biwott, the former University
of Oregon Duck who had spoken to his
brother, marathoner Duncan Kibet, in Kenya.  “He jumped out of a balcony and they tried to
revive him, but he didn’t make it,” said Biwott. Federico Rosa, Wanjiru’s
manager, confirmed his client’s death via a text message. Later it was
confirmed by the police that it happened after falling from the bedroom balcony
on the first floor of his home in Muthaiga Estate, Nyahururu, east of the
capital Nairobi
– a distance police estimated about five meters. His agent told CNN that his
client was “very relaxed and happy” when he spoke with him over the weekend
before the tragedy unfolded. Police in Nyahururu are investigating the incident
which happened late Sunday night, with conflicting reports over whether Wanjiru
jumped or fell accidentally from his second floor balcony. Rosa
said he was in “shock” over the incident, which has deprived athletics of one
its most prominent stars. “His death is a tragedy, but I am 100 per cent sure
it’s not suicide,” said Rosa for CNN. On
arrival at the Nyahururu
District Hospital,
doctor John Kamande who attended to Wanjiru 
said he was in very critical condition with visible head injuries.
Attempts to resuscitate him failed. “He was bleeding from the nose and mouth
and he had a big injury at the back of his head, we did all we could to save
him but it was too late,” he said. His wife of six years, his night guard
Stephen Muigai and a woman identified as Martha Nduta who was in his company
moments before the tragedy were held for questioning by police. An emotional
mood engulfed Nyahururu
Town and the country as
news of the death spread with residents, athletes and leaders eulogising the
fallen hero. The Area Commanding Police Boss Jasper Ombati said Wanjiru’s wife
who arrived from Nairobi
found her husband with another woman in their bedroom and an argument ensued.
According to the police who were first to arrive at the scene, Wanjiru’s wife
Triza Njeri arrived home at around 11.30 pm. Wanjiru, in a bid to stop her from
leaving, jumped from the balcony but fell and injured himself. Wanjiru is said
to have returned to Nyahururu from Eldoret where he was training and stopped in
Nakuru for a drink. “He was in a very jovial mood and joked a lot. I did not
know that was the last time I will see him again,” said his friend John Kamau.
2011 began on a wrong footing for the London and
Chicago
marathon champion when he was charged before a Kenyan Court with threatening to kill his
wife and his guard as well as illegally possessing a firearm.  In January this year, Wanjiru who spent most
of his teenage life in Japan
survived a car crash. With help from RRW and AIPS.

REACTIONS

Samuel Wanjiru won the Olympic marathon title in Beijing in 2008 with an Olympic record
performance of 2:06:32. He achieved five wins in seven marathon. His other
marathon victories included Chicago in 2009 and
2010, Fukuoka in 2007, and London in 2009.  Wanjiru was the World Marathon Majors points
champion for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, and had a career best time of
2:05:10.  He was also the former world
record holder for the half-marathon with a 58:33 personal best. He planned for
a world record assault in fall. Ethiopian top runners are shocked too. “I am
totally shocked of the news of the death of Sammy Wanjiru. Of course one
wonders if we as an athletics family could have avoided this tragedy. My
thoughts are with his family and all his friends and colleagues,” said Haile
Gebrselassie on his twitter. Another Ethiopian hero, Kenenisa Bekele responded
as well: “I am so sorry for his family and friends to lose this great athlete
and person. I looked up to him and saw him as a great marathon athlete. I was
looking forward to meet him in the future at the marathon distance and to race
against him.” Ethiopian marathon runner Tsegaye Kebede, bronze medallist at the
world championships in Berlin
and Olympic Games in Beijng has competed several times against Wanjiru. Last
race together was an epic battle in the Chicago Marathon, which made it one of
the greatest marathons in history. “Death is always sad, but in his case, he
was a young man and a great athlete, so I am touched by that. I remember our
exciting race in Chicago
and I was looking forward to meet him again in a new battle. My thoughts are
with his family who need to miss him in daylife,” added Kebede. “I am deeply
shocked and saddened by this tragic death,” said former World Marathon record
holder Kenyan Paul Tergat. “Like the rest of the world of athletics, and in
particular marathon running, I am absolutely shocked to the core. Samuel was,
in my opinion, the greatest marathon runner that we have ever seen in the
world. That’s based on his amazing performance at the Olympics, but also the
fact that he then went on to win two Chicago Marathons and one London
Marathon,” said London
director David Bedford. Carey Pinkowski, Race Director of the Bank of America
Chicago Marathon said: “We are truly saddened by the news of the recent death
of Sammy Wanjiru. He was a magnificent athlete who competed at the highest
level here in Chicago,
leaving a championship legacy at our event. The sport of marathon running has
suffered a tragic loss, and he will truly be missed by all who knew him in Chicago. Our thoughts and
prayers are with his young family.” NYC Marathon
President Mary Wittenber: “It is with shock and great sadness that we mourn the
loss of one of our sport’s greatest and brightest stars. Sammy was a megastar
in a sport where it’s hard to rise above the deep and broad talent in our
sport. Sammy’s talent was undeniable. Combined with a huge heart, drive and a
fearless nature.  He flew through heat
and humidity in Beijing
like they were inch high hurdles. The heart he showed in Chicago last year when he would not fade from
(Tsegaye) Kebede’s side surge after surge – when Sammy was not in top shape –
showed – well beyond the talent – that he had a heart and drive every bit as
big. I will remember most driving our ING NYC Marathon course with Sammy in the
lead vehicle. While other athletes have focused on the race and the other
runners, Sammy looked forward almost the entire way – waving and smiling to
crowds – mile after mile. A people person and huge engaging smile to match.
We’ll miss his confidence, bravado, guts & heart. The sport is down a game
changing megastar today. How very sad for all.”

SHANGHAI FLASH-BACK

LIU XIANG:  “Tonight I used seven
steps to approach the first hurdle, instead of eight steps. Techniques work
differently for different people. As I said in a previous press conference, I
didn’t quite expect too much from my new technique. It’s just a try. In the
coming days I will have to try and increase my speed as I go across each
hurdle, and I need to pay attention to my rhythm. I need to be patient, because
sometimes when you are applying a new technique, like me, using the eight steps
– I have to make sure I keep my own pace instead of being affected by the other
athletes beside me. I don’t believe David Oliver performed in his best form
tonight, so I won.” His next race is not yet known.

ASAFA POWELL: “That was the plan, to finish the race healthy, and that’s
what I did. I followed instructions. My coach told me not to push too hard, and
I’m happy with that.” He clocked sub 10 for record 66th time. His next races Rome (against Usain Bolt) and Rabat.

BLANKA VLASIC: She started her year with 194 clearance. “To win here was
my only goal. I am not in top shape. Tuesday I had my last jumping training and
I jumped 185. I am very tired. You need to start somewhere.” Her next confirmed
competitions are Rome, Rabat
and New York.

5000 M: Vivian Cheruiyot’s winning time, 14:31.92, is the second fastest
time recorded by 27 years old. The fastest time by 27 years old is 14:31.52 by
Elvan Abeylegesse from July of 2010
in Paris.
Vivian Cheruiyot’s last mile was a world leading 4:29.2, her last 800m was
2:08.3, last 400m was 61.3. Informs Pace Sports on its twitter.

ANDREAS THORKILDSEN: “I felt something in my groin, close to my knee. I
dont know what it is. It happened on the run-up, I am glad I did not throw that
throw. I have to check now what it is. It felt weird,” after that happened in
fifth throw. After return to home he will undergo examinations to find out the
injury. His next competition scheduled is Ostrava
on May 31.

STATS: 8 world leads – 5 meet records (Doha had 11 and 7 in this stats), but going
deeply into the season this figures will go down.

POINTS: In All-Athletics.com points
the best ever score for Shanghai 90 772, but is little bit less than
Doha (90 808). Interesting
that four meetings already scored their best point scores ever (Doha,
Shanghai, Kingston, Daegu).

ATHLETES NEWS

PRAHA (CZE): Javelin world record holder Barbora Spotakova postponed her
begin of the season to Rome on May 26 followed
by Ostrava on May
31. She was unable to compete on Sunday at the meet in Schwandorf in Germany where
she wanted to start her season. It was because of small stomach flu.

ISTANBUL (TUR): British sprinters Dwain Chambers and
Marlon Devonish confirmed their participation at the Cezmi Or meet of Istanbul planned for June
11 (EA Classic category). Also running Bahamian Adrian Griffith (best of 10.19)
and Moroccan Aziz Ouhadi who improved last weekend his national record to
10.13. Also running is Ramil Guliyev the reigning European junior champion and
continental junior record holder from Azerbaijan
who is from March 1 Turkey
citizen. Chambers will return as title defender, he won in Istanbul last year with 10.18 and is
currently on Brazilian Tour.

LJUBLJANA (SLO): Slovenian 33 years old triple jumper
Anja Valant Velepec is back after 5 years. The olympic 2000 finalist and 14.69
(at that time national record) jumper from that year in Kalamata was last time
competing back in 2006. Now she is back and at Club Competitions achieved 13.80
(+2.7). She might attack the Daegu participation.

NIJMEGEN (NED): US record holder Alan Webb has
confirmed he will race a 1500m race at the Nijmegen Global Athletics meeting on
May 25th. Webb said he is happy to be back racing and is looking forward to
competing in Nijmegen
reports losseveter.nl.

MOSCOW (RUS): Russian European indoor champion 2009
and olympic fourth placer in pole vault Yulia Golubchikova broke her foot in
Daegu as EME NEWS already reported. Her agent Pavel Voronkov confirms it was
her left foot, she undergoes currently medical examinations. He also said that
she might be not on time back for 2011 and will most probably concentrate on
return in Olympic year 2012.

TORONTO (CAN): Pregnant Canadian olympic and world
hurdles medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep knows that she is expecting a baby
girl. The birth is planned for early September. She is also world indoor
medalist 2010 from Doha
and has 12.49 best at the 100
m hurdles.

MELBOURNE (AUS): World indoor 2008 champion at 800 m runner Tamsyn Lewis and
cricket player Graham Manou got married yesterday in the Yarra Valley.
Australian media are informing. Lewis and Manou had organised the wedding at
Stones winery, a popular venue for well-known faces. The event was top secret
because Lewis had a deal with a women’s magazine.

OTHER NEWS

MELBOURNE (AUS): Australian athletes caught betting on events at the
London 2012 Olympic Games will be sent home immediately and could have to repay
any funding they may have received. John Coates, the President of the
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), revealed the zero-tolerance approach that
would be adopted during the organisation’s annual meeting in Sydney writes Insidethegames.

PARIS (FRA): The French federation has announced its team for the
European Cup 10.000m in Oslo
on June 4th. The women’s team will only consist of two athletes with Christine
Bardelle and Christelle Daunay. The men’s team is led by Abdellatif Meftah and
Driss El Himer. Also on the team are Denis Mayaud, Mokhtar Benhari and Djamel
Bachiri confirms athle.com.  

MONTE CARLO (MON): The IAAF announced the conclusion of
its 8th Official International Sponsorship Package for the 2011 IAAF World
Championships. In an agreement negotiated by Dentsu, the IAAF’s official
marketing partner, POSCO, a leading operator in the steel industry, has become
the latest sponsor of Daegu 2011. POSCO, a South Korean company, is the world’s
second largest steel producer by market value and Asia’s
most profitable. Founded 40 years ago, POSCO was fully privatised in 2000 and
has expanded internationally with production plants in major markets such as India and China. The other seven
International Sponsors of the 2011 IAAF World Championships are: TDK, Toyota, Seiko, Samsung,
VTB, Sinopec and adidas.

AMSTERDAM (NED): Dutch discus thrower Erik Cadée has
confirmed his competition schedule with meet a local meeting in Hoorn this weekend, the FBK Games in Hengelo
and the IAAF World challenge meeting of Rabat.
Cadée also reported he will compete for The Netherlands at the European Team
Championships in June. Cadée’s main aim is a strong performance at the IAAF
World Championships.

MADRID (ESP): 
The judge Mercedes Pérez Barrios, who is investigating Operation Galgo
(Greyhound), has canceled the wiretapping carried out by the Guardia Civil on
the athlete Marta Domínguez, her agent Jose Alonso Valero, her coach Manuel
Pascua and his wife Maria José Martínez. The judge agreed and supported the
appeals against the bugs by Dominguez, Alonso Valero, Pascua and Martinez but rejected the
appeals by the doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, his sister Yolanda Fuentes, coach José
Luis Pascua and the coach Cesar Perez, who also sought the annulment of the
wiretapping. According to the statement, the latter remain valid and are proportionate
and appropriate measures for the research being carried out against a network
of doping in sport. However, the judge considered that in the case of Marta
Domínguez, the wiretapping was not justified because of previous wiretaps on
others, including the coach Cesar Perez, and included calls made or received by
the athlete. According to the indictment (issued by the judge) regarding the
investigations into Marta Domínguez: “There is a lot of confusion between the
sanctionable conduct in sports and also criminal behavior. There were
suspicions that Marta Domínguez was consuming substances which are prohibited
in sport, and which would result in a sanction in this area, but not a criminal
charge.”

KINGSTON (JAM): Jamaica Gleaner informs that Usain Bolt´s connection to
Kingston Live Entertainment (KLE) Group has brought forth the Usain Bolt Tracks
and Records – Kingston’s newest and trendiest place to dine, dance and do just
about whatever moves you. Located in The Marketplace along Constant Spring Road, Usain Bolt’s Tracks
and Records seems to capture the very essence of the track superstar, with a
vibrant and edgy design concept, never-before-seen technology and some of the
best food you’ll taste anywhere. In other development  Usain Bolt, through his Foundation, (Usain
Bolt Foundation) will team up with Chain of Hope Jamaica and HE Lady Patricia
Allen to raise well needed funds for paediatric cardiac service at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Bolt on Sunday
pledged his support to co-host a walk-a-thon later this year. The world
champion has also announced that he has asked his sponsors to come on board to
support the worthy venture by providing funds for two surgeries each for
children.

TOP RESULTS

SALAAM 20.05, PINDER 44.87

NORMAN (USA, May 15): Rakeem Salaam clocked
second fastest in the world 200
m while winning the Big 12 in 20.05 (0.0). He was
also the best in the 100 m
in 10.23 (-2.5) ahead of Zambian Gerald Phiri 10.35. Bahamian Demetrius Pinder
improved in the 400 m
to 44.87 over Tabarie Henry of US Virgin Islands 45.28. Also US indoor
champion Omo Osaghae improved his best to 13.28 (-0.8) when winning the 110 m hurdles. Bryce Brown
clocked 49.04 in
the 400 m
hurdles (also a PB). Texas
AM scored relays double with 39.04 and 3:02.38. In women sprints Jeneba Tarmoh
doubled with 11.26 (-1.6) and 22.46 (-0.3). The 200 m is PB for her and
second fastest in the world this year. Surprise win for Diamond Dixon at 400 m in 51.55 over Jessica
Beard 51.68. Also in women relays two golds for Texas AM 42.90 and 3:31.28. Chantae McMillan
improved to 5951 score while winning the heptathlon.

KIRANI JAMES ROLLING IN 44.86

ATHENS (USA,
May 15): Super talent Kirani James of Grenada improved his outdoor best
to continental junior record 44.86 at the 400 m during the SEC Championships. He was only
once better, during the indoor season with 44.80. Estonian Marek Niit equalled
his national record from heats and won the 200 m in 20.44 (+2.0) over
Horatio Williams 20.50. 100 m
was wind assisted (+3.0) and won in 10.11 by Terrell Wilks over Dentarius Locke
10.12. Florida
with Jeff Demps who false started in 100 m heats won the 4×100 m in fast 38.53. In
jumps Ricky Robertson cleared 229
in high and Will Claye scored second win after long jump
this time with windy 17.24 (+2.2, legal 17.16) in triple jump. Second Christian
Taylor 17.15 (+1.4). Fast women sprints were supported by too much wind. Semoy
Hackett of Trinidad won the 100 m in 11.01 (+2.4) over
Lakya Brookins 11.02 and Kimberlyn Duncan also 11.02. Duncan won the 200 m in 22.27 (+3.4) over
Hackett 22.41 and Bahamian Nivea Smith 22.44. Good hurdles by Jasmin Stowers
12.88 (+1.0, PB) and Ellen Wortham 55.70 (also PB). LSU clocked 43.47 at 4×100
m and Arkansas
3:32.23 at 4×400 m.

OUHADI 10.13, BESTS FOR NANA
DJIMOU

MONTGERON (FRA, May 15): At French D1 International meeting Moroccan
Aziz Ouhadi clocked with ideal wind support +2.0 new national 100 m record 10.13. His
former mark was 10.22 from April this year. Second Peter Emelieze of Nigeria
achieved 10.25 ahead of Ronald Pognon 10.37. 2005 World champion Trecia Smith
from Jamaica
got 14.33 (+0.9) in triple jump, her best mark in last two years. French Haoua
Kessely could not celebrate 14+ because her 14.14 were aided by +3.2, but legal
13.80 (+1.7) is still outdoor best for her. In men´s triple jump win for Karl
Tailepierre with windy 17.01 (+3.2). Barcelona
100 m
silver winner Veronique Mang was only fourth in the 200 m (23.97, +2.6), won by
Emiel Gaydu 23.49. Foreign wins for Italian Matteo Galvan at unusual 250 m (27.18), Portugal´s
Yousef El Kalai at 3000 m
(7:55.71), US Chris Thomas at 110
m hurdles (13.65, +1.0) and Czech Jarmila Klimesova with
javelin (60.33). Two new personal bests for pentathlon European indoor champion
Antoinette Nana Djimou with 13.36 (+1.6, won by Sandra Gomis 13.04) at 100 m hurdles as fourth and 50.19 in javelin as
seventh.

OTHER RESULTS

NURFRINGEN (GER, May 15): Marco Schmidt achieved 20.07 in the shot put.

TOKYO (JPN, May 15): At Kanto district Collegiate
Championships solid 10 000
m by Tsubasa Hayakawa 28:21.26.

LOS ANGELES (USA,
May 15): At Last Chance meet solid 10.29 (-1.2) for Leroy Dixon at the 100 m.

HOUSTON (USA, May 15): At Conference USA meet Jackie Coward clocked
12.97 (+1.9) at 100 m
hurdles and junior Auriyeall Scott posted a solid sprint double 11.25 (+1.1,
PB) and 23.06 (-0.6).

LUBLIN (POL, May 14): Good Polish throws, Damian
Kusiak 20.10 in
the shot put and Przemyslaw Czajkowski 63.07 in discus.

LENS (FRA, May 15): Kenyan Marc Tanui won the La Route du Louvre Marathon in 2:13:19. Another Kenyan Nderitu Muriuki was
second 2:13:26 with Ethiopian Demesse Diriba third 2:14:15. In the women
category also an Kenyan win for Gladys Chebet 2:39:29 ahead of Roba Adilo of Ethiopia
2:40:03.

ARONA (ESP, May 15): Talented Marjolein Lindemans improved her own
Belgian national youth heptathlon record from 5195 points to 5489 points.
Although Lindemans already jumped 185 in the high jump she is most likely to
compete in the heptathlon at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille. She was the winner
of the competition in youth category.

BUDELSDORF (GER, May 15): German decathletes are ready for Götzis as
they competed in a special team challenge. Pascal Behrenburch showed he is in
form with 198 in
the high jump, 14.35 over the hurdles and 49.80 in the discus throw.
In the same events Rico Freimuth went 192, 14.08 and 47.63. Former world junior
champion Jan Felix Knobel managed 198, 14.78 and 47.94.

PITTSBURGH (USA, May 15): Jeffrey Eggleston won
the Pittsburgh Marathon with of 2:16:40. Eggleston, a native of Rochester, NY and a
former runner at the University
of Virginia, was brought
in by race organizers to be the rabbit, or pace-setter, but he broke away from
the pack at the 24-mile mark to earn the victory. The women’s marathoner winner
was Bekele Delelecha of Ethiopia
with a time of 2:35:34. Local media are informing. Nicholas Kurgat of Kenya
broke the course record for the half marathon with a time of 1:03:03.

BERLIN (GER, May 15): German top marathon runner Irina
Mikitenko won the Berlin Women Run at 10 km in 34:21. It was her third win here after
2006 and 2008. New participation record of 17 312 runners was registered.

SANTOS (BRA, May 15): Former NYC Marathon winner
Marilson dos Santos
clocked 27:59 to win the 10 km
on the road here. Second Nicholas Kimeli in 28:21. In women race Eunice Kirwa
scored Kenyan win (32:07) over Brazilian Simone Alves (32:32).

ADDITIONS

DAEGU (KOR): The IAAF World Challenge meet last Thursday scored its
highest points in All-Athletics.com rankings with 85 808 points.

MOSCOW (RUS): At Russian Marathon champs last weekend
interesting a junior performance of Anastasiya Zuyeva (19) who clocked 2:40:51
as 8th.

MANCHESTER (GBR): The correct wind speed info at 200 m hurdles was +2.0, not
+2.3 so the time of Andy Turner is an world best.

SOFIA (BUL): Bulgarian statistician Aleksandr Vangelov confirms that
high jumper Viktoria Andonova (24) has dual citizenship, Bulgarian and US. And
according to her she prefers to compete for USA. Her best is 187, this year so
far 185.