2005/11 Edition - AthleticsAfrica - Amplifying the voices of African athletes

Egypt, Uganda, Kenya to storm Obudu 2011 - African Mountain Running Championships

Sunny Oke Oluku — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:55:59 +0000

Egypt, Uganda, Kenya to storm Obudu 2011 - African Mountain Running Championships Sunny Oke Oluku 18 November 2011 - 6:55pm

Kenya, Uganda and Egypt have all confirmed their participation in both men and women races at the 3rd African Nation's Mountain Running Championships set for November 28 at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu, Cross River state of Nigeria.

Kenya will be making a third consecutive appearance at the championships which made its debut in 2009 alongside the annual Obudu international mountain race which is in its seventh edition this year.

Interestingly, Kenya, for all her prowess in long distance running including the marathon have not won the African title since the championship was introduced two years ago as part of the Obudu international mountain race.

Also making consecutive appearances are Uganda who dethroned Ethiopia as African champions last year at the championships in India as well as Egypt whose men have failed to make any team impact at the championship, coming last in the first two editions in 2009 and 2010.

According to the Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mrs. Maria Worphil, more African nations are making inquiries about travel and accommodation arrangements and expect more confirmations this week.

"Athletics Nigeria is delighted with the response shown by African nations for this championship.

"Last year we had six nations in the men event and five in the women including the host nation, Nigeria and we are already convinced we will have more African nations this time around as we strive to make mountain running a perennial fixture in the calendar of the African Athletics Confederation," said Worphil, a former national handball star.

Ethiopia, winner of the inaugural edition of the championship tops the list of other nations who have made inquiries about the championships and Mrs. Worphil is full of praise for Cross River Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke for providing the platform to host the rest of Africa

"Our sincere thanks to Governor Imoke for not only continuing with the sponsorship of the Obudu international mountain race started by his predecessor, Donald Duke but for also expanding the scope of the event by including the African Nations mountain running championship.

"The AFN will continue to organize a perfect competition and make Nigeria proud," she added.

Africa

Ugandans seek second Obudu mountain men’s title

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:19:45 +0000

Ugandans seek second Obudu mountain men’s title Sunny Oke Oluku 10 November 2011 - 1:19am

Ugandan mountain runners have thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of the world and African nations who will be coming for the 7th Obudu international mountain race and the third African mountain running championships holding at the Obudu Ranch Resort, Cross River State on November 28.

The Ugandans, who displaced Ethiopia last year as the overall men's title winner at the second edition of the African nations mountain running championships in Obudu were the highest ranked African nation at the 27th World Mountain Running Championships held in Tirana, Albania last September.

Led by the irrepressible Kibet James who placed 8th in the individual race won by USA's King Max, the Ugandans chalked up 119 points to place sixth in the men's team ranking and are clearly the favorites to retain the title they won last year.

The Ugandans will however have to spare some thoughts for Eritrea who have confirmed participation for the championships and who, only two years ago dominated the individual and the team events at the 26th World Mountain Running Championships in Kamnik, Slovenia.

Also confirmed for the event are Egypt and Kenya while Cameroon, Ghana and Ethiopia are yet to submit their entries although Athletics Federation of Nigeria secretary general, Maria Worphil is convinced the trio will send in their entries for the November 28 championships.

Meanwhile, the Cross-Rivers state Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ugbe has expressed happiness with the performance of Uganda and believes this year's team events will be keenly contested.

"This is good for the race. It will now make it more competitive and I believe this year's edition will be the best ever in terms of performance and attendance.

The Ethiopians will now have to redouble their effort if they are desirous of regaining the title they won in 2009 as well as make a clean sweep of the individual titles like they did last year," said Ugbe.

The race covers a distance of 11 kilometres uphill to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level, taking you to one of the finest tourist destinations in the world.

Nigeria

Athletics Nigeria ready for 2011 Obudu International mountain race

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:01:32 +0000

Athletics Nigeria ready for 2011 Obudu International mountain race Sunny Oke Oluku 10 November 2011 - 1:01am

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Secretary General, Maria Worphil has revealed her federation's preparedness to organize the best mountain race in the world when the 7th Obudu International Mountain Race and the 3rd African Mountain Running Championships hold on November 28th at the Obudu Ranch Resort, Cross-Rivers State.

Worphil, a former national handball star, said at the weekend in Lagos that the federation, saddled with the technical organization of the 3-in-1 event has put all logistics in place for another flawless championships.

"The AFN is ready to organize the best mountain race ever when the seventh edition holds later this month in Obudu," says Worphil who was recently elected into the women's committee of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

"We have put all the necessary logistics in place and the federation is blessed with men and women who can hold their own in terms of the technical organization of events of the magnitude of Obudu mountain race."

The AFN accounting officer pointed to the commendation her federation received from Bruno Gozzellino, the Italian who heads the world governing body for mountain running, the world mountain running association as proof that the AFN is truly ready to host the world again.

"The WMRA president has severally commended us for the perfect organization of past editions of the race in spite of the fact that the art of mountain running is new in Nigeria .

Seven years on now, we have really come of age and that is why I make bold to say that the federation's best will certainly come to the fore later this month."

Worphil also revealed that the AFN has been receiving many entries from fellow African Nations in respect of the African Nation's Mountaining Running Championships.

"We have sent out entries and the response has been very encouraging. What I can guarantee is that we will have far more nations than the number who participated at the second edition of the championships last year," she assured.

The Obudu international mountain race is organized by the Cross River State Government,in conjunction with the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

It enjoys tremendous support from the African Athletics Confederation(CAA) ,the World Mountain Running Association, (WMRA) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Nigeria

Nigeria can produce world class athletes - Ajibade

Sunny Oke Oluku — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:03:32 +0000

Nigeria can produce world class athletes - Ajibade Sunny Oke Oluku 4 November 2011 - 2:03am

Taiwo Ajibade, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester believes the country can produce top athletes if all the necessary machineries are put in place.

In this interview with Oke Oluku, the sprinter revealed why he dumped Football for Athletics and the coming of sports kits giant, Adidas to Nigeria.

Can you give a brief introduction about yourself?

My name is Taiwo Ajibade, born in Lagos, went to Akowonjo primary school, FGC and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) where I started athletics. Left for the USA, did my second BSC (Bus Admin), a Master Degree (Management) and now gunning for my Doctorate degree.

I am a sport lover and a lot of people knew me. I was on the athletics circuit between 1989 till 2004. I have not been competing in the past six to seven years now.

When I was here I competed for Ondo state in the 100m and 200m races but originally I am from Irese, a little town in Osun state and then my wife used to make fun of it. I started my athletics career with Ondo state, with Coach Lawrence Adegbehingbe.

I represented Nigeria in the IAAF World Youth Championships in Poland in 1999, the IAAF World Junior Championships in Jamaica in 2002; did some International meets in the USA 2001-2003.

I was a member of Team Nigeria to the Africa Athletics Championships in Tunisia in 2002 and was also at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. My Last competition in Nigeria was the 2008 Olympics trials and I crashed out in the semi final.

What gave you the inspiration to run for Nigeria despite having the opportunity to run for other countries?

Well everybody have their options, everybody have their own decisions to make and the circumstance surrounding every athlete is different. I will not be judgmental of people changing nationality because I know running for Nigeria is very difficult.

I can remember I was sharing with my friend in 2003 when I came for the World Championships trials. I was in a great shape then, I ran very well at the NCAA in all levels, I was an All-American the year before but I came home in top shape and was hoping I will make team but I didn’t make the team.

I went to a particular sport administrator then and I was a student, I told him all am asking for is that if they can pay my way here, give me money to go back home, could you believe the guy worked me out of his office?

Now at that point if another country approached me I think I was vulnerable at that point and then I can say yes I have to change my nationality.

Well I don’t see myself as an athlete that was desperate, I had options, I had my master degree and currently I am working on my doctorate degree. To me it is not all about what your country can do for me but what I can do for the country.

How were you able to combine sport and education?

For me I know it was something I had to do, I know I had a gift which I had to project.

I come from a family that don’t give you any option when it comes to education, you must go to school so I wouldn’t say I am smart and I am not dumb either so I try to manage my time by going to school and still running, so it was so easy.

Why athletics and not football?

I use to be a soccer player and when I get a pass, I always run faster than the ball and people use to tell me that with my speed, athletics will be better for me.

The late commissioner for Sports in Ekiti state, Ore Odelusi, he was one of the first people that work with me and he inspired me to go for athletics.

Also, Olympic and Commonwealth gold medalist, Lawrence Adegbehingbe who I think had the most impact in my athletics career, was also instrumental to my choice.

Since you are no longer running, what do you do now?

Well when you say after sports, it is a process. I run but not competitively. These days I run to keep fit, stay healthy and for leisure. I’m also into sports business as we own the franchise of marketing Adidas in Nigeria

You talked about lack of kits in some tournaments, ADIDAS is coming to Nigeria, are we seeing a change of kits in Nigeria athletics?

I will love to see that because that is where my own allegiance is maybe not for business purposes, I was asking one of the statesmen of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria recently how ADIDAS can come in to help and he told that the AFN still have a contract with NIKE and as you can see, it will be difficult for me to come in because of their contract with NIKE which stands.

I volunteered to provide the kits through ADIDAS for the last IAAF World juniors, I asked them to send the numbers of athletes that will be going but they still said the same thing about a contract with NIKE and if I should do that, there will be conflict.

There are individual endorsements for athletes by sports manufacturers, are we going to see some endorsements of Nigeria athletes by ADIDAS?

Well somebody asked me this question some days ago. The name of our company is LAC Global Sports and we represent ADIDAS and I will tell you that ADIDAS will go for any athlete who is viable that they think still have more years ahead of them in respect of the country.

There is this saying that some countries have TV rights which make their athletes to be more viable and if you are running 10. 01 seconds and another athlete run the same 10. 01 seconds from the USA, they will offer me $10. 000 a month and offer the USA athlete $100. 000 for same month.

So you see I am disadvantaged. But to answer your question, once ADIDAS has a presence in this country, it is going to be easier for them to endorse our athletes. Why is because they are close to then and since they will make money from the country, they will support us.

What are the plans ADIDAS have for Nigeria in general?

Well the plans will unravel as the year goes by and as the relationship continues.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that we are trying to go into the Nigeria Premier league, the basketball league, the schools sports and I will be talking to some sports administrators, there are lots of packages for all, we just need to press to help us set up the forum.

On our shot term plans, we can decide to sponsor teams, academies, clubs by supplying kits to them and also supply about 20,000 replica jerseys free of charge because we know there are fans who will buy their clubs kits.

I look at the situation where even if ADIDAS sponsor an entire team, people can come out and buy replica jerseys, that will make money for the state, country and ADIDAS rather than the usual way we use to do things.

Why do you think Nigerian athletes always find it difficult to compete favorably with their counterparts?

Once in awhile in Nigeria we see flashes, we see promises but along the line those hopes are being dashed because we don’t have the right tools and facilities to work with.

Look at the facilities, look at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), it’s a mess, that is where we train people we will train the people that we hoping will be the next Usain Bolt.

The NIS does not look like an institution and that is why we want to take it upon ourselves like I said by 2015, we will be bringing in an academy that will support athletics, basketball, and soccer to start with.

It is going to be a school, coaches and everybody will be well taken care of. We can’t just seat on the fence everyday and keep complaining the government is not going anything; we need to jump in and do something.

So we don’t have the facility, everybody is frustrated, everybody want to travel out of the country thinking that’s where the magic is, but truly if you have an athletes who eats well, train well, take the right supplements, truly they will perform.

How will you describe the state of sports in Nigeria today?

To say the truth here, it is pathetic I must say. When you look at countries like Jamaica doing well in track and field, even the United States, they are doing well in sports like soccer.

They don’t have the schools that we have here; you can almost close your eyes and pick people from the streets to play soccer in Nigeria.

As an athlete then, I was also a soccer player and I did great so for us to have what we have right now, Nigeria going to competitions we don’t even have uniforms to wear, that is pathetic.

The national teams goes outside they don’t pay allowances. I was looking at the FIFA ranking the other and Nigeria is in 47^th position that is not what we should be. We need more leaders and administrators.

What do you think is the way forward?

The way forward is not just a one way formula issue; we need to bring all the stakeholders together, we need a forum that will bring in thought provoking ideas that will help us know where we are and set goals that will take us to where we want to be.

We can sit down here for one hour talking but you won’t do me any justice if you ask me where we need to go from here but I have a lot of ideas and if any sports administrator welcomes it I will be glad to share with them.

How is it like being married to an athlete?

She is a great lady; her name is Oluyemi Fagbomila Ajibade. When you are married to a fellow athlete, be ready for competition, my wife is very competitive, we compete for everything in the house.

What do you think is the future of Nigerian sports?

It is very bright if we have the right people in place but if not its doomed, I think governor Fashola is doing well in terms of sports, I see a lot of sporting developments here, even in the municipal, local government level which will help in the discovery of athletes.

Also it is very unfortunate that some people in Nigeria don’t start running until they are 18, 19 and 20 and when they go abroad they say they 14, 15 and by the time you expect them to be what they expected to be, the ball is already falling so don’t expect too much.

We have a lot of things working for and against us.

Message for up coming athletes

For them not to be discouraged, I could remember when I was going to the national stadium to train, my mum use to give me 30 Naira for transport because we lived in Iyana Ipaja.

But after 3 months, she told me that if she is putting the 30 naira somewhere by the end of those 3 months, she will know what she would have saved. I had to encourage myself, so I will encourage them to go after their dreams.

Features

Nigeria

WADA approves 2012 Prohibited List and new scientific research funding

WADA — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:25:19 +0000

WADA approves 2012 Prohibited List and new scientific research funding WADA 21 September 2011 - 3:25pm

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has approved the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods for 2012 at its Executive Committee Meeting hosted by the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The new List will be made official and published by October 1, and will take effect on January 1, 2012.

As one of the cornerstones in the global fight against doping, the List specifies substances and methods prohibited in sport, and it is a mandatory document for all organizations that have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code.

The annual revision of the List is a highly-consultative process facilitated by WADA, and begins with circulation of a draft List amongst its stakeholders. Comments are considered by WADA’s List Expert Group, which then presents its conclusions to WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee.

Recommendations are then made to WADA’s Executive Committee, which discusses the proposals before making a final decision at its September meeting. (Click here for more information on the process for revising the List.)

“Keeping abreast of scientific advances and taking on board recommendations from our stakeholders is a key part of WADA’s role when updating the List, which is required to happen on an annual basis due to our expanding knowledge of doping,” said WADA President John Fahey.

“The revision process has been developed and refined over the eight years that WADA has been responsible for the List, and we are confident that we have the necessary expert contributions and checks and balances within the process to make it as comprehensive and robust as possible.

“WADA’s thanks once again go to all the experts and stakeholders whose contributions have enabled us to introduce changes that give clarity to the sports world and also make it harder for athletes to cheat.”

Formoterol added as an exception to beta-2 agonists

One of the most significant changes to the 2012 List is the removal of formoterol from ‘Section 3 Beta-2 Agonists’ of the List when taken by inhalation at therapeutic doses.

Taking into account recent research results and concerns expressed by members of the sports community, inhaled formoterol at therapeutic doses is no longer prohibited.

The List prohibits the administration of all beta-2 agonists except salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours), salmeterol when taken by inhalation, and now formoterol (maximum 36 micrograms taken over 24 hours).

The issue of beta-2 agonists will continue to be a focus of WADA’s research activity in order to ensure that the administration of large doses of these substances is prevented and prohibited, but that the appropriate care and treatment of asthmatic athletes is facilitated.

Other matters discussed to increase efficiency in anti-doping programmes include:

Blood Collection Policy

Following requests from stakeholders for additional guidance on what constitutes best practice for testing programs, WADA has advised that there needs to be more emphasis on the collection of blood samples.

Only 4% of all doping control samples collected in 2010 was for blood, and most of these were for passport programs.

This has been a key concern for WADA since an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) ought to collect blood as it cannot purport to have an effective program in place if there is a loophole in its testing program leaving for possible abuse of substances and methods that cannot be detected in urine analysis such as human Growth Hormone and blood transfusions.

A recommendation was therefore made to the Executive Committee that all ADOs ensure that not less than 10% of all samples collected are blood specimens.

This recommendation was accepted by the Executive Committee which recognized that by increasing blood collection an ADO can focus resources in a targeted and intelligent fashion, and put quality testing ahead of quantity.

The new 10% directive will also have a significant deterrence benefit, regardless of the particular risks associated with the ADOs’ sports.

Paperless Project

A presentation was made to the Executive Committee on research WADA has undertaken into the traditional paper and carbon-copy doping control process.

The research is designed to assess the benefits of moving away from the traditional paper-based collection of data to a more streamlined, harmonized and ‘real time’ process supported by established technology.

A paperless approach would reduce the possibility of human error and increase efficiencies, in particular with regard to creating an immediate link with the Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS).

The Executive Committee asked WADA to pursue development of this project and to report further advancement at the next meeting in November.

Science research funding

WADA’s September meeting is also the occasion at which the Executive Committee approves scientific research projects seeking funding.

In 2011, 82 projects from four continents were submitted to WADA for funding, all of which underwent a scientific review process in July and August by independent expert panels.

Following this process, 35 have been recommended for priority funding and will undergo further ethical review by the end of the year.

Approximately US$4.5m was approved by the Executive Committee for research projects in 2012, which brings WADA’s total commitment to scientific research grants since 2001 to more than US$58m.

“WADA has always had a strong commitment to funding science research projects as we see this as a key area in the fight against doping in sport,” said John Fahey.

“It is no secret that doping cheats are becoming more and more sophisticated, so we need to invest in cutting-edge science that will allow WADA and the anti-doping community to develop detection techniques that keep up with these developments.

“Out funding has led to detection breakthroughs in the past and we will continue to support science in every way we can.”

Next meetings

The Executive Committee will hold its next meeting on November 19, 2011, in Montreal. The Foundation Board will meet the following day.

Anti-Doping

Cheruiyot among African stars to run at 2011 Chicago Marathon

SAPA — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:23:21 +0000

Cheruiyot among African stars to run at 2011 Chicago Marathon SAPA 16 September 2011 - 6:23pm

Kenya's Evans Cheruiyot will return to the 2011 Chicago Marathon after missing the race since his 2008 triumph due to injury, organisers of the October 9 race said on Wednesday.

Also announced as entrants were Kenya's Bernard Kipyego and Dickson Kiptolo Chumba plus Ethiopian men's stars Bazu Worku, Getu Feleke and Bekana Daba, Ireland's Martin Fagan and Australia's Shawn Forest plus Ethiopian women's stalwarts Askale Tafa, Atsede Habtamu Besuye and Belainesh Zemedkun Gebre.

"These athletes round out an elite field that is not only dynamic, but has the potential to attack the record books," race director Carey Pinkowski said.

"If the weather is good, there could be some reshuffling of not just the Chicago Marathon records, but also the list of all-time fastest certified marathons."

2008 Champion

Cheruiyot won the 2008 Chicago crown in a personal best of 2 hrs 6 mins 25 secs but was sidelined by injuries in 2009 and 2010. He bounced back earlier this year with a runner-up effort at the Dubai Marathon.

Kipyego, runner-up at the 2009 world half-marathon championship, ran 2:07:01 in his full-distance debut at last year's Rotterdam Marathon and went 1:00:09 earlier this month at the Lille Half-Marathon in France.

Worku has the third-fastest personal best in the field at 2:05:25, behind Kenyan Moses Mosop's 2:03:06 and American Ryan Hall's 2:04:58. In 2009 at age 18, he became the fastest-ever teen marathoner at 2:06:16 in Paris, lowering the teen mark a year later in Berlin with his personal best.

Chumba won this year's Rome Marathon while Feleke, with a best of 2:05:44, set a course record of 2:05:44 last year at Amsterdam and Daba won the Houston Marathon.

Fagan, a Chicago pace-setter last year, will try to break the Irish national marathon record of 2:09:15 held by John Treacy while Forest makes his marathon debut after a half-marathon personal best of 1:01:25 earlier this year.

Besuye, who ran a personal best of 2:24:47 to win the 2009 Berlin Marathon, followed up last year with a victory at Eindhoven.

Tafa, winner of the 2007 Dubai and Paris marathons, has the second-fastest personal best in the women's field at 2:21:31, trailing only two-time defending champion Liliya Shobukhova of Russia.

Gebre won the 2010 Honolulu Marathon in her debut at the distance.

Elite Men

Moses Mosop KEN 2:03:06
Ryan Hall USA 2:04:58
Bazu Worku ETH 2:05:25
Getu Feleke ETH 2:05:44
Evans Cheruiyot KEN 2:06:25
Marilson Dos Santos BRA 2:06:34
Bernard Kipyego KEN 2:07:01
Bekana Daba ETH 2:07:04
Atsushi Sato JPN 2:07:13
Joshua Chelenga KEN 2:08:21
Wesley Korir KEN 2:08:24
Dickson Kiptolo Chumba KEN 2:08:44
Terefe Maregu ETH 2:09:03
Takayuki Matsumiya JPN 2:10:04
Takashi Horiguchi JPN 2:12:05
Kouji Gokaya JPN 2:12:07
Joseph Chirlee KEN 2:12:10
Hironori Arai JPN 2:12:17
Masaki Shimoju JPN 2:12:18
Jason Gutierrez COL 2:13:24
Yuuki Moriwaki JPN 2:13:34
Martin Fagan IRL 2:14:06
Shawn Forrest AUS Debut

Elite Women

Liliya Shobukhova RUS 2:20:15
Askale Tafa ETH 2:21:31
Inga Abitova RUS 2:22:19
Benita Willis AUS 2:22:36
Wei Yanan CHN 2:23:12
Maria Konovalova RUS 2:23:49
Christelle Daunay FRA 2:24:22
Atsede Besuye ETH 2:24:26
Yue Cao CHN 2:29:50
Belainesh Gebre ETH 2:32:13
Kayoko Fukushi JPN 2:40:52
Cruz Nonata da Silva BRA Debut

World

Nigeria top athletics medal table in Maputo All Africa Games 2011

Yomi Omogbeja — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:37:09 +0000

Nigeria top athletics medal table in Maputo All Africa Games 2011 Yomi Omogbeja 16 September 2011 - 5:37pm

Nigeria was the best country in athletics at 2011 All-African Games in Maputo, Mozambique with 38 medals (17 Golds, 11 Silvers and 10 Bronze medals).

In second place was Kenya with 26 medals (10 Golds, 7 Silvers and 9 Bronze medals) and third Algeria with 19 medals (7 Golds, 6 Silvers and 6 Bronze medals).

In total 22 countries won various medals in the athletics events that concluded last night at the Zimpeto Stadium.

During last day the most sensational win was by Kenyan in the men's Javelin. Julius Yego improved the national record with 78.34 m. Kenyans also won the 4x400 m in 3:03.10.

Nigeria won three Gold medals. Oludamola Osayomi won the women's 200m (22.86, +1.9), Ajoke Muizat Odumosu in the 400m hurdles (56.26) and the 4x400m relay women's team clocked 3:31.21 to win.

Sudan's Mohamed Younis cleared 2.25m national record to win the men's High Jump, Luvo Manyonga of South Africa won the long jump with a leap of 8.02m (-0.1) and Idrissa Adam of Cameroon won the men's 200m in 20.66 (+1.7) seconds.

Kenya's Caleb Ndiku was the best in the 1500m (3:39.12) ahead of compatriot Collins Cheboi 3:39.72. But in the 5000m, Uganda celebrated as Moses Ndiema Kipsiro won in 13:43.08 ahead of Ethiopian Yenew Alamirew 13:43.33.

In half-marathon Ethiopia ruled. Desisa Lelisa 1:04:31 was the best man and in the women's race, Mare Dibaba clocked 1:10:47 ahead of Mamitu Daska 1:10:52. Irene Jelegat won the 1500m for Kenya in 4:13.67.

Full Results

Nigeria

Maputo 2011

Namibia's Herunga wins second medal in Maputo

Namibia Sport — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:27:32 +0000

Namibia's Herunga wins second medal in Maputo Namibia Sport 16 September 2011 - 1:27am

Tjipekapora Herunga won her second medal at the All Africa Games on Thursday evening when she finished third in the women's 200m final in a new Namibian record time of 23.50 seconds.

Herunga entered the home straight in fourth position but finished strongly to snatch the bronze medal behind the winner Oludamola Osayomi of Nigeria (22.86) and Anim Vida of Ghana who won the silver medal in 23.06 seconds.

Herunga's time improved her previous national record of 23.73 seconds while it was her second medal of the Games, following on the bronze medal that she won in the women's 400m.

Herunga was elated with the win, saying that she did not expect it.

"This is a big surprise because I didn't think I could do well in the 200m. I just took a chance but it paid off and now I have won two medals at the All Africa Games," she said.

Herunga's medal increased Namibia's total medal haul to seven at the Games, consisting of one gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

Herunga's 200m team mate Globine Mayova however crashed out of the race with a hamstring injury. Mayova entered the home stretch slightly ahead of Herunga and would have also been a strong medal contender but with about 50 metres her race was over as she pulled up with a hamstring injury.

In the women's shotput event Namibia's Charlene Engelbrecht finished sixth overall with a distance of 13.65m. It was outside her personal best of 13.93m for the event.

Earlier Engelbrecht came fourth overall in the women's discus final with a distance of 44.68m, which was well off her personal best distance of 46.10m.

On Wednesday evening, Hardus Maritz came seventh in the men's 400m hurdles final in a time of 52.29 seconds.

Maputo 2011

Namibia

Oscar Pistorius to prove relay point before London 2012

SAPA — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:16:49 +0000

Oscar Pistorius to prove relay point before London 2012 SAPA 14 September 2011 - 1:16am

Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius wants to prove before the London Olympics that he can run any leg of a 4x400m relay and should not be held back by concerns his carbon fiber blades would injure other athletes running in a pack.

South Africa agreed to let Pistorius run only the opening leg of the relay at the world championships in Daegu and he was left off the South African quartet which won silver in the final early this month.

Pistorius ran the leadoff leg in the semifinals, helping set a South African record, and received a medal as a team member even though he missed the final.

Pistorius is convinced he would stand a better chance of making the top South African relay team if he were allowed to run any of the four legs, especially since he set the second-best time of all South Africans this season.

"Ultimately I'd be better utilised or more efficient at the second or third position during the relay," he said on Tuesday in Brussels, where he will run in the individual 400 metres in Friday's Van Damme Memorial meet.

Pistorius is known for a slower start out of the blocks, and he would benefit from a running relay exchange later in the race.

At the world championships, the South African federation chose him only for the leadoff leg since letting him run in the pack would have prompted a technical safety review.

"It was four, five days before the relays. It was not a time to start arguing then," Pistorius said.

Now, he has plenty of time before next year to make his point.

During the South African track season early next year, he said, it will be his "responsibility" to run different legs in several relays as in previous years to show he is not a danger to other runners.

After that, he will approach team officials and say: "Look, I have run relays this year without any incident. Would you consider letting me run in another leg?" Pistorius said.

He said he still did not understand why the South African team kept him out of the Daegu final even though he was his nation's second-fastest 400 runner this season.

"For some reason, and that is for them alone to answer, I have no idea why they made that decision," Pistorius said. "In a relay, you replace the slowest guy with the fastest guy. You don't replace the second fastest guy."

He does not fault any of his teammates. One day after the four finalists stood on the medal stand in Daegu, runners Ofentse Mogawane and Willem de Beer came to Pistorius with his medal.

"They thanked me for the role I played in the semifinal," Pistorius said. "That was probably the nicest gesture that they could have made."

[sapa/AP]

London 2012

South Africa

Herunga wins bronze for Namibia in Maputo

Namibia Sport — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:52:38 +0000

Herunga wins bronze for Namibia in Maputo Namibia Sport 14 September 2011 - 12:52am

Tjipekapora Herunga won Namibia's second medal at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique on Tuesday evening when she came third in the women's 400m final.

The race was won by Daegu 2011 World Champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana, with Amy Mbacke Thiam of Senegal second. Tjipekapora came third, just behind Thiam in a new Namibian record time of 51.84 seconds.

Her time beat her previous record time of 52.36 seconds, while she also beat the London 2012 Olympic Games qualifying time of 52.00 seconds.

Herunga beamed from ear to ear after the race as she displayed the Namibian flag to spectators and photographers.

"I was already planning in Namibia that I'd rank in the top three and I did that. For me I feel that I created history. I am very happy that I could make my country proud," she said.

The 23-year-old Herunga said she was confident that she could win gold in the future.

"Im still young and I know I can still win the gold medal, my time will come. Amanthle was also struggling like me before she reached the top, so I know I will be there where she is some day," she said.

"I'd like to thank my coach Letu, who has always been there for me and I'd like to thank our medic Donatha Gawanas who is always there to help when my body is paining.

"I also want to thank the Ministry of Youth and Culture for their Vision 2016 programme. If it was not for that programme I would not be here. And finally thanks to all the Namibians for their support," she said.

Hardus Maritz meanwhile qualified for the men's 400m hurdles final when he came second in his heat and third overall in 51.40 seconds. It was a new personal best time, beating his previous best of 51.67 seconds.

Maputo 2011

Namibia

Kenya's Rudisha posts 1:41.33 and Kiprop romp to 3:30.46 in Rieti - IAAF World Challenge

ATAF Editor — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:51:02 +0000

Kenya's Rudisha posts 1:41.33 and Kiprop romp to 3:30.46 in Rieti - IAAF World Challenge ATAF Editor 11 September 2011 - 11:51am

World 800m record-holder and champion, David Rudisha of Kenya clocked an impressive 1:41.33 on a hot afternoon at the stadio Guidobaldi in Rieti, Italy yesterday.

The 2010 IAAF World Athlete of the Year set the third fastest time of his career after his clockings of 1:41.01 in Rieti and 1:41.09 in Berlin last year, missing his own World record by 0.32 seconds on his favourite track to highlight a memorable 41st edition of the Rieti IAAF World Challenge meeting.

Rudisha has now run three of the five fastest times in history (the other two were set by former World record holder Wilson Kipketer of Denmark with 1:41.11 and 1:41.24).

In Rudisha’s wake, Poland’s World Championships finalist and European Indoor champion Adam Kszczot set the fastest time of his career clocking 1:43.30.

More fast times followed, with this year’s World Youth silver medallist and World Championships finalist Mohammed Aman from Ethiopia smashing the World Youth best and the national record with a hugely impressive 1:43.37 in the process beating former World champion Alfred Kirwa Yego who ran his seasonal best finishing fourth in 1:44.07.

In total, seven men dipped under 1:45 living up to Rieti’s reputation as the temple of middle distance running. Poland’s world finalist Marcin Lewandowski (1:44.53 seasonal best), Jackson Kivuva (1:44.53) and Australia’s Jeffrey Riseley (1:44.64) rounded out the top-seven of another superb 800 metres race.

"The pace was ok. I felt in record shape but it was too fast in the 200 metres split between 400 and 600 metres," said Rudisha.

"The conditions were perfect. Daegu was hard but I did not feel tired because I had time to recover. I will run in Brussels (16 September) and at the Notturna di Milano (18 September). Whether I attack the World record, it depends on how my body feels," he added.

Kiprop surpasses Kiplagat’s time

Asbel Kiprop, another of the newly crowned World champions in Daegu, set the world seasonal best at 1500m with 3:30.46 which improved Silas Kiplagat’s previous best time of 3:30.47 set in Monte-Carlo on 22 July.

Pacemaker Andrew Rotich paced Kiprop to a very fast 400 metres in 54:56 and 1:49.61 at the 800 metres mark. Then Kiprop ran alone against the clock pushing hard in the remaining 700 metres.

He went through at 1200 metres in 2:46.61. Kiprop, only seventh in Zurich on Thursday, romped home in 3:30.46, setting the fastest time of his career. Nick Willis from New Zealand, Olympic silver medallist in Bejing, finished a distant second in 3:35.52.

“I feel excited. The conditions were excellent and the pace was good. It’s important to finish the season as World champion and world leader. I know that I can run faster. My last race will be the 800 metres in Brussels,” said Kiprop.

See Complete RESULTS of other Events

[Additions: Diego Sampaolo/IAAF]

Kenya

Africa

IOC launches new Community Youth Sport Centre in Burundi

ATAF Editor — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:08:59 +0000

IOC launches new Community Youth Sport Centre in Burundi ATAF Editor 9 September 2011 - 5:08pm

As part of his visit to Africa, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge has participated in the launch of a new Youth Sport Centre in Gatumba, Burundi, which is jointly funded by the IOC, UNDP (the United Nations Development Programme) and the government of Burundi.

The multi-sport complex is located in the border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo, an area known for tension and violence and sorely lacking in recreational infrastructure.

The centre, which will organise sporting and educational activities for the more than 7,000 young people from both sides of the border, features a football ground, an athletics track, an indoor hall for badminton, table tennis and judo, one court suitable for basketball, volleyball and handball, as well as changing rooms and office space.

The facility will be managed by the National Olympic Committee of Burundi and will build bridges among the Locals

Lydia Nsekera, IOC member from Burundi and President of the National Football Federation said on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony: "This project is a wonderful example of how sport can help build bridges and bring people from warring communities together.

Especially for the young people in this area, the centre will provide a space of joy, hope and meaningful occupation."

The IOC financially supported the construction of the sports facilities and provided sports equipment, while its partners contributed resources in other areas.

The IOC has long-standing relationships with various UN bodies, however this is the first time IOC and the UN have jointly set up a sports facility.

Together and with other partners, both organisations use sport as a tool to implement various activities across the globe in fields such as humanitarian assistance, peace-building, education, gender equality, the environment and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The project will also contribute to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals - goals that have been identified by the UN as some of the world's most pressing issues and require the support of everyone.

Africa

Burundi

Nigeria champion eyes Maputo win despite harsh weather

Sunny Oke Oluku — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:27:37 +0000

Nigeria champion eyes Maputo win despite harsh weather Sunny Oke Oluku 9 September 2011 - 3:27pm

Nigerian Triple Jump champion, Otonye Iworima is unfazed about the difficult conditions in Maputo insisting that nothing would deny her winning gold when the athletics and field events kick-off on September 11.

So far many athletes in other sports have blamed the harsh conditions in Maputo coupled with their inadequate facilities and transportation difficulties as reasons for their poor performances.

"Indeed, things are difficult here but one cannot succumb to those distractions and forgo her set objectives," Iworima who won a Bronze medal at the Algiers 2007 All-Africa Games said.

"I made a vow that I am going to win gold in the All Africa Games and it stands. I am not going to settle for silver or bronze medals. Gold is my target and I know that I am as good as gold.

"My coaches have driven me to the point where nothing else can compensate for my efforts. I am in good condition and hopeful that it will be like this until I crown my efforts with the gold medal."

"Frankly, I am not for silver and bronze. No, they are not for me. My aim is gold. My dream is gold. No alternative," she told AthleticsAfrica.com.

Otonye Iworima

Aftermath of Daegu flop, Nigeria drops to 37th position in World athletics

Sunny Oke Oluku — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:15:10 +0000

Aftermath of Daegu flop, Nigeria drops to 37th position in World athletics Sunny Oke Oluku 9 September 2011 - 3:15pm

After a poor outing in the just ended IAAF World Championships held in Daegu, South Korea, Nigeria has been ranked 37th in the world by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Nigeria failed to win a medal at the championships but produced two individual finalists and the two relay teams, the women's 4x100m and 4x400m teams made it to the final.

Sprinter Blessing Okagbare was Nigeria's best performer at the nine-day championships, placing fifth in the women's 100m in 11.12 seconds to equal Nigeria's best performance record in the event held by Mary Onyali.

For her effort, the three-time Nigeria champion got four points according to IAAF classifications.

Okagbare also anchored the women's 400 relay team of Gloria Asumnu, Damola Osayomi and Agnes Osazuwa to a seventh placed finish which earned the team and Nigeria two points.

Nigeria got one point each from high jumper, Doreen Amata who made history as the first Nigerian woman to make it to the final of her event at a global competition as well as the women's 1600 relay team of Omolara Omotosho, Ajoke Odumosu, Margaret Etim and Bukola Abogunloko.

Both Amata and the relay team placed last and got one point each.

Nigeria thus amassed a total of eight points to finish joint 37th with Turkey but ahead of Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe who all have athletes who made it to the podium.

Sudan had Abubakar Kaki who won a silver medal in the men's 800m; Tunisia has Ghribi Habiba who also won a silver medal in the women's 3000m steeplechase while Zimbabwe has 2011 American collegiate sensation, Makusha Ngonidzashe who picked the bronze medal in the men's long jump.

Kenyan, Africa's number one ranked team with seven gold medals, six silver and four bronze medals is ranked the third best in the world after USA and Russia.

Nigeria has won a total of six medals, three silver and three bronze medals since her debut appearance in Helsinki, Finland in 1983 when the championships' inaugural edition was held.

The last time Nigeria appeared at the podium was in 1999 in Seville at the sixth edition with Glory Alozie (100m Hurdles silver),Francis Obikwelu (200m bronze) and the men's 4x100 relay team(bronze) winning the medals.

Nigeria

Daegu 2011

Kourage Athletics launches Kenyaʼs first running clothes brand

Leila Gichinga - Nairobi — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:02:30 +0000

Kourage Athletics launches Kenyaʼs first running clothes brand Leila Gichinga… 9 September 2011 - 2:02am

Kourage Athletics, an NGO committed to creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods in Kenya, has launched the African nationʼs first line of running kit.

The clothes, which are designed and manufactured in Kenya, aim to harness Kenyaʼs storied running tradition, which has not only produced some of the worldʼs greatest distance runners, but earned the country an international reputation for excellence in the field.

Employing a modern fit, fashion-forward designs and performance quick-dry fabric, each Kourage garment is suitable for completing a marathon or a quick workout at the gym.

"Kenyan runners are world-class. We wanted to create an equally impressive garment" said Joseph Kisuli, 23, Kourage Athletics fashion designer.

"We combine the fit of your favourite tshirt with the best performance fabric in the world," Hussein Kurji, Operations Manager, remarked.

"We tested Kourage garments under extreme conditions, in snow at Mt. Kenya and in the heat of the Rift Valley plains. Kourage garments are perfect for any athletic endeavour."

Kourage Athleticsʼs ambitions are broader than simply selling clothes: the organisation aims to change lives in Kenya. Revenue from each Kourage Athletics garment is injected into the Kenyan economy, sustaining jobs and creating wealth for Kenyans.

Chris Markl, 31, American Operations Director, commented: "From our garmentʼs fit and feel, to our organisationʼs vision and values, Kourage makes you feel good.ʼʼ

Why the name Kourage? Markl remarks, "Kourage is doing something outside of one's comfort zone: going back to school, training for a 5k or a marathon, travelling outside of oneʼs country for the first time. Kourage is how we change the world."

Kourage Athletics garments are for sale at kourage.org.

Kourage Athletics website

DAEGU2011 - David Rudisha gets his 800m Gold at last, Sudan's Kaki takes silver

ATAF Editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:01:58 +0000

DAEGU2011 - David Rudisha gets his 800m Gold at last, Sudan's Kaki takes silver ATAF Editor 31 August 2011 - 7:01pm

Kenya's World 800m record-holder David Rudisha on Tuesday, with a dominant display of front running, won the Gold medal in the event at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu, Korea.

The rangy Kenyan, who broke the world record twice in a week in 2010, took the title in a time of 1:43.91 ahead of Abubaker Kaki of Sudan. The bronze medal went to Russian Yuriy Borzakovskiy.

"Winning the world title is very important to me, more important than the world record" the 22-year-old Masai told reporters.

"The title will remain with you for the rest of your life but the record can be broken."

Rudisha is unbeaten over the distance in two years, his last loss coming when he failed to qualify for the 2009 world championship final in Berlin.

He made his intention clear from the start, outpacing Kaki at the line break to settle in comfortably at the front of the field away from trouble.

Double world indoor champion Kaki tucked in behind the languid Kenyan, and looked trapped when Borzakovskiy moved up on his shoulder before Rudisha pulled away down the back stretch.

"I controlled the race from the start, that was my plan, I did not want to make a mistake," he added. "And I also knew that I was in good shape. Nevertheless, I spared my energy until the last 150m."

Kaki's rivalry with Rudisha looks set to reach new heights at the London Olympics next year.

"David Rudisha is a friend. He's been dominating last year and this year," said Kaki, who squeezed into the final after a setting a suicidal pace in the semi-final.

"I am happy for him and these two medals are for Africa. I will continue to race for northern Sudan."

South Sudan declared independence on July 9, after southerners overwhelmingly voted to secede from the north in a January referendum.

[REUTERS]

Daegu 2011

Daegu2011 - Channel 4 UK drops main presenter from Daegu 2011 coverage after hundreds of complaints

ATAF Editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:52:57 +0000

Daegu2011 - Channel 4 UK drops main presenter from Daegu 2011 coverage after hundreds of complaints ATAF Editor 31 August 2011 - 6:52pm

Black British presenter Ortis Deley has been dropped as the main anchor of the 2011 IAAF World Athletics Championships coverage on Channel 4 Television station, after receiving hundreds of complaints from viewers.

Deley, who has been replaced by T4 presenter, Rick Edwards, will remain on the presenting team in Daegu, South Korea, but will no longer be the main presenter, a Channel 4 spokesman has confirmed.

The channel said that his role had been "scaled back" although he will continue to feature in the IAAF World Championships programmes.

A spokeswoman for the station said: "Channel 4 is committed to developing new presenting talent and this extends to our coverage of sporting events.

"Ortis Deley's role in Korea covering the world athletics has been scaled back but he will continue to be on air for the duration of the competition.

"In total we have a team of 10 commentators covering this event, from Michael Johnson and well-loved British athletes Dean Macey, Katherine Merry and Iwan Thomas to new presenters."

Since the competition began at the weekend, viewers have seen his stilted delivery as he repeatedly had to refer to his printed script.

He also had to correct himself frequently when he misread his lines and failed to get his tongue around the names of fellow presenters.

At one stage he told viewers they would see "history in the making as Oscar Pistorius from South Africa makes history".

A video of many of his appearances in Daegu, South Korea, has been placed on YouTube accompanied by comments blaming Channel 4 for putting him in the spotlight.

One said: "The bosses at Channel Four have to take all the blame for this embarrassment. This is a very big event for them and they should've made sure they hired a half-decent presenter who could handle live TV."

What do you think about this story, was the presenter performance so bad to warrant such barrage of complaints? Have your say below:

Daegu 2011

Kenyan Rudisha among bevy of World stars to turn out for press lunch in Daegu

IAAF — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:47:03 +0000

Kenyan Rudisha among bevy of World stars to turn out for press lunch in Daegu IAAF 31 August 2011 - 4:47pm

Following the completion of the women's 20km Race Walk, the only competition on Day 5 of the IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011, the tradition of the championship's press lunch was continued in Casa Italia which for the nine day duration of Daegu 2011 is situated in the May Garden in Daegu City Centre.

Located just a few hundred metres away from the finish line of the 20km Race Walk, there was of course a huge turn-out of media for the lunch which was hosted by the AIPS (International Sports Press Association) and the organisers of the Helsinki European Champs 2012, with the support of the Italian team and their sponsors.

The guests were welcomed by AIPS President Gianni Merlo and Italian Federation President Franco Arese, with the list of VIPS attending headed by IAAF President Lamine Diack who was accompanied to the function by many of his Council colleagues including Daegu LOC Honorary President Rocky Park.

Helsinki 2012 LOC President Antti Pihlakoski and European Area Association President Hansjorg Wirz were also on hand to explain the philosophy of the biennial European championships whose new cycle begins with the 2012 championships in the Finnish capital.

Distinguishing the lunch with their presence were a host of top athletics names including last night's newly crowned World 800m champion David Rudisha and silver medallist Yuriy Borzakovskiy who were interviewed alongside former World record holder Lord Sebastian Coe.

Appropriately women's Pole Vault bronze medallist Svetlana Feofanova was presented to the audience with current men's World record holder Sergey Bubka.

Two other new World champions were at the lunch, Tatyana Chernova (Heptathlon) and Yuliya Zaripova (3000m Steeplechase), while rising-star Christophe Lemaitre, fourth in the 100m, found himself on stage with sprint legend Don Quarrie, the 1976 Olympic 200m champion.

Following the formalities, the guests enjoyed the sumptuous hospitality of Casa Italia, the perfect culinary conclusion to such a world class gathering.

Daegu 2011

DAEGU2011 - Amantle Montsho wins Botswana’s first World Championships Gold

Yomi Omogbeja — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:11:25 +0000

DAEGU2011 - Amantle Montsho wins Botswana’s first World Championships Gold Yomi Omogbeja 29 August 2011 - 6:11pm

Amantle Montsho earned Botswana its first ever gold medal at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in the Women's 400m race in Daegu, South Korea on last night.

Montsho overcame a stellar field that included three-time 200m world champion, America's Allyson Felix in a time of 49.56seconds, 0.03sec ahead of her rival, with Russia's Anastasiya Kapachinskaya coming third in 50.24 seconds.

The Commonwealth Games champion also beat the defending champion Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States who finished seventh in 51.32.

"I'm so happy today to win my gold medal. I still can't believe it. I would like to thank all the athletes, those who made me run faster, especially Felix, because she has good speed so that made me run faster," said Montsho.

The 28-year-old sprinter added the world title to her other several titles in her list including the Commonwealth Games 400m title which she scooped in Delhi last year.

Day 3 Results

Daegu 2011

Botswana

Namibian team sent forth to Maputo - All Africa Games 2011

Namibia Sport — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:17:23 +0000

Namibian team sent forth to Maputo - All Africa Games 2011 Namibia Sport 26 August 2011 - 4:17pm

The Namibian team that will compete at the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique received an official sendoff at the Ministry of Sport's headquarters in Windhoek on Thursday.

The Deputy Minister of Sport Pohamba Shifeta urged the team members to be good ambassadors for Namibia and to abide by the rules.

"When you put on these colours and tracksuits, you become Namibian ambassadors. We will go there to compete and not just to participate and I'm hopeful that we will finish among the top five countries this time," he said.

The Director of Sport Dr Veii called on the athletes to do their best and to make Namibia proud.

"Remember that you are ambassadors for Namibia. Namibia is a country with a very good reputation and being on this team is a privilege and not an entitlement. You must be one united Namibian team and must not form clicks. Take these Games seriously and take advantage of the opportunities that they present. If you do well, you could qualify for the Olympic Games and then the sky will be the limit," he said.

Namibia will be represented by 38 athletes in eight sporting codes at the AAG.

At Thursday's press conference the chairman of the Local Organising Committee Edelberth Katamba said that tennis had been a late inclusion, while cycling had been dropped.

"We withdrew cycling because the cyclists, Dan Craven and Loto Petrus are participating in Europe. The Namibia Cycling Federation nominated other cyclists but we cant take them because they did not qualify."

"Tennis was a late inclusion because some of their players started to qualify at tournaments and were ranked on the ATP rankings so we brought them on board," he said.

Bantamweight boxer David Mikasiu could not make the trip after he broke his nose during training.

Namibia will be represented in athletics, boxing, paralympics, tennis, triathlon, swimming, chess and karate.

The Namibian team will travel to Maputo on a chartered plane and will depart Hosea Kutako International Airport at 06h30 on Sunday morning.

Maputo 2011

Namibia

SA Pistorius delight at World Championships bow in Daegu 2011

ATAF Editor — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:48:06 +0000

SA Pistorius delight at World Championships bow in Daegu 2011 ATAF Editor 26 August 2011 - 3:48pm

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius today spoke about his excitement at competing at the IAAF World Championships as he discussed the upcoming event with athletics great and 400m world record holder Michael Johnson.

With just under 48 hours until the 24-year-old makes his World Championships debut, Pistorius and the four-time Olympic gold medallist appeared together in a special media event hosted by sponsors Nike in Daegu.

Pistorius, who in July became the first double amputee to qualify for the World Championships when he clocked 45.07seconds in Lignano, Italy, said, "I've been blown away by the reception I have received since I landed in South Korea and have been humbled by everyone who has greeted me so warmly and wished me well.

"I'm feeling in good shape and am really excited about finally getting out on the track and testing myself against some of the best athletes in the world.

"It's been a busy six weeks since I ran the qualifying time in Italy - there has been a lot of comments and interest in my achievements but the past is behind me and I am very excited about competing in my first race on Sunday.

"I am taking each round as it comes - I hope to run close to my personal best but its consistency that I'm really working on. If I can progress through the heats in a consistent way with my times I will have done the job I have come here to do."

Michael Johnson, who interviewed Pistorius at Nike's flagship store, said, "I've known Oscar for a number of years now and I think it is amazing what he has achieved in qualifying for the IAAF World Championships this year.

"He's in fantastic shape, has trained so hard to get here, deserves to be competing and I am delighted to see him here and wish him every luck on the track."

Pistorius will compete for South Africa in the 400m heats on Sunday 28 August and in the 4x400m relay team on 01 September.

Follow DAEGU 2011 news here. Live Radio and Latest Results from Korea

South Africa

Daegu 2011

Nigeria selects squad of 17 for Daegu - IAAF World Championships

Sunny Oke Oluku — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:50:25 +0000

Nigeria selects squad of 17 for Daegu - IAAF World Championships Sunny Oke Oluku 14 August 2011 - 2:50pm

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has listed seventeen athletes to represent the country at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships, Daegu, Korea, 27 August to 4 September.

According to the President of the federation, Chief Solomon Ogba, athletes selected are medal prospect as the World Championship is not a jamboree.

In the list released last Wednesday, Africa track queen, Blessing Okagbare will be competing in the 100m 4x100m and Long Jump events.

Former US sprinter, Gloria Asunmu who debuted in Nigeria during the national trials in Calaber will run in the 100m and 4x100m while Damola Osayomi will also be on track for the 100m and 4x100m.

Also on the list are: African 100m hurdles champion, Seun Adigun 100mH and 4x100m, University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) track sensation, Endurance Abinuwa goes for 4x100m. Agnes Osazuwa 4x100m, Bukola Abogunloko 4x400m, Margaret Etim 4x400m, Ajoke Odumosu 400m hurdles and 4x400m, Blessing Mayungbe 4x400m, Chizoba Okodogbe 4x400m, Omolara Omotosho Shot Put, Doreen Amata High Jump, Ogho Oghene Egwero 100m, Peter Emelieze 100m, Stanley Gbagbeke Long Jump and Africa and Commonwealth Games triple jump champion, Tosin Oke.

Full lists below:

Athletes and Officials for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu

Athletes and Officials for the All Africa Games- Maputo 2011

Nigeria

Daegu 2011

Okagbare soars to windy 6.84m in Budapest and Nigeria hires Cuban Coaches

Sunny Oke Oluku — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 19:23:13 +0000

Okagbare soars to windy 6.84m in Budapest and Nigeria hires Cuban Coaches Sunny Oke Oluku 31 July 2011 - 8:23pm

Africa's queen of track and Nigerian champion, Blessing Okagbare, at the inaugural Istvan Gyulai Memorial on Saturday in Budapest, won the women's Long Jump with a wind-assisted 6.84 metres (+2.9) leap.

Okagbare later came back to take third place in the 200m clocking a season’s best 22.94 seconds behind Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown winner in 22.26 seconds and American Sanya Richards-Ross who was second in 22.63 seconds.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has secured the services of three Cuban jump coaches for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ahead of the All Africa Games scheduled to hold in September in Mozambique.

Speaking on the issue yesterday President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, said the three coaches were mainly for jumps (long jump, high jump and triple jump), throws (shot put and discuss) and stick sprints, (100m and 110m).

"We are really excited with the coming of the Cubans because they are going to help us consolidate in the area where we have serious comparative advantage," said Ogba.

Interestingly, Nigerian jumpers like Doreen Amata and Tosin Oke have been doing very well in the women's high jump and the triple jump.

Amata has remained consistent, finishing second behind world leader Blanka Vlasic twice. She even went ahead to equal her national record of 1.95m to remain the best in the continent.

Oke on the other hand jumped 17.20m to stay in strong contention for the African gold in Maputo in September.

Budapest 2011 Results

Nigeria

London 2012 Olympic Games medals unveiled to the world

ATAF Editor — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:42:34 +0000

London 2012 Olympic Games medals unveiled to the world ATAF Editor 27 July 2011 - 9:42pm

The London 2012 Olympic medals were unveiled tonight by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Seb Coe at an event in Trafalgar Square to mark one year to go to the Olympic Games.

IOC President Jacques Rogge and IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald were also present at the special ceremony.

The medals will be produced in Britain and have been designed by British artist David Watkins, who is an established artist in the field of decorative art.

When creating the brief, the Victory Ceremonies team of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) worked closely with the British Museum’s Keeper of Coins and Medals, Philip Attwood, to look at the symbolic history of medals in Europe in the last century.

The LOCOG Athletes’ Committee, chaired by Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, was also heavily involved in its development.

Following the initial tender, six artists were selected for the second stage of design and development. Based on their work, the panel – which comprised experienced creative leaders and sports personalities – felt that David Watkins' design for the London 2012 Olympic medals held a narrative that befitted the athletes achievements.

The medals' circular form is a metaphor for the world. The front of the medal always depicts the same imagery at the summer Games – the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike, stepping out of the depiction of the Parthenon to arrive in the Host City.

The design for the reverse features five symbolic elements:

The curved background implies a bowl similar to the design of an amphitheatre.
The core emblem is an architectural expression, a metaphor for the modern City, and is deliberately jewel-like.
The grid suggests both a pulling together and a sense of outreach – an image of radiating energy that represents the athletes' efforts.
The River Thames in the background is a symbol for London and also suggests a fluttering baroque ribbon, adding a sense of celebration.
The square is the final balancing motif of the design, opposing the overall circularity of the design, emphasising its focus on the centre and reinforcing the sense of 'place' as in a map inset.

David Watkins said of his design: "It is exciting to think that the finest athletes in the world will be wearing my medal design next summer.

"Its key symbols juxtapose, front and back, the goddess Nike for the spirit and tradition of the Games, and the River Thames for the city of London. I hope the medal will be enjoyed and treasured as a record of great personal achievements in 2012."

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: "I hope that seeing the design of the London 2012 Olympic medals will be a source of inspiration for the thousands of athletes around the world who are counting down the year before they compete at the greatest show on earth.

"All of our preparations are focused on ensuring the athletes are at the heart of the Games, and I believe that through this rigorous process the panel of experts have selected an artist and a design for medals that all athletes would be proud to own."

IOC President Jacques Rogge added: "Highlighting the effort and achievement of the athletes, as well as the city where the Games are held, these beautiful medals will be a fitting reward for the Olympic medallists of 2012.

"It is the pinnacle of a sporting career to become an Olympic champion but I am confident that receiving one of these medals will make it all the more special in London next year. Congratulations to LOCOG for creating a design that will inspire the Olympians of 2012."

The ore for the medals is supplied by London 2012 sponsor Rio Tinto and is mined at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper Mine near Salt Lake City in America, as well as from the Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia.

The medals will go into production later this year at Royal Mint’s headquarters in Llantrisant, South Wales.

The design of the London 2012 Paralympic medals will be released later this year.

London 2012

London 2012 celebrates one year to go

ATAF Editor — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:34:00 +0000

London 2012 celebrates one year to go ATAF Editor 27 July 2011 - 9:34pm

With one year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, preparations are on track and London's vision to host a Games that inspires the world is set to become reality.

The Games next year will mark the end of a decade-long project, after London won the bid in 2005 based on a vision to stage Games that would have athletes at its heart, inspire young people and be a catalyst for lasting change.

London is on track to deliver on these promises and lay the foundations for significant social, sporting and economic legacies.

London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) Chair Seb Coe said: 'With a year to go we are inviting the athletes, spectators and visitors from around the world to come to the UK next summer - it's ‘London Calling'. Waiting for them will be a spectacular festival of sport and culture in the world's greatest city, which will be more magical and vibrant than ever.

'There is much to do in the next 12 months, but we can take huge comfort in the progress that has been made so far. We are absolutely on track and determined to stage Olympic and Paralympic Games which will deliver on the promises we made in Singapore, inspire the athletes and make the nation proud.'

A total of 15,000 athletes from over 200 countries will compete in the Olympic and Parlaympic Games next summer, and preparations are on track to ensure London 2012 is one of the most spectacular Games ever.

The President of the International OIympic Committee Jacques Rogge will today formally invite the athletes of the world to the Games next summer.

He will also unveil the Olympic medals at an event in London's Trafalgar Square.

Rogge said: 'London 2012 is now ideally placed not just to deliver top level Olympic competition but also to leave a great legacy to the British people.

I wish London well as it enters its final year of preparations and testing and I am confident that next summer this great city will once again do the Olympic Movement proud.'

On track for 2012

A number of significant milestones have been achieved:

More than 3.5 million tickets have been sold so far, setting the scene for full venues at Games time and a sensational atmosphere for competing athletes
A quarter of a million people have applied to volunteer and interviews are now taking place to fill up to 70,000 roles
The initial route for the Olympic Torch Relay has been announced, with details of the Torch design also unveiled
International Inspiration has delivered on its promise of reaching 12 million children worldwide with one year to go to the Games.

LOCOG is also set to award more than £700m worth of contracts, including purchasing more than 900,000 pieces of sporting equipment.

London 2012

Nigerian Oke and Moroccan Berrabah soar to victory in Barcelona

Yomi Omogbeja — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:51:27 +0000

Nigerian Oke and Moroccan Berrabah soar to victory in Barcelona Yomi Omogbeja 25 July 2011 - 5:51pm

Nigeria's Tosin Oke and Morocco's Yahya Berrabah on Friday posted impressive performances at the 2011 Míting Ciutat de Barcelona d'Atletisme (17th Barcelona International Athletics Meeting) - an EA premium meeting.

The Miting Ciutat de Barcelona has been considered the best Spanish athletics meeting over the past three years by the IAAF and this edititon on Montjuic Mountain featured the crème de la crème.

Berrabah won the men's Long Jump in the Catalan capital with a personal best leap of 8.37m. British record holder Chris Tomlinson, with 8.20m was second and Spain's Luis Felipe Meliz was third with 8.18m.

Ghana's Ignisious Gaisah was 5th with 8.05m and Nigeria's Samson Idiata was 7th with a best effort of 7.90m.

Tosin Oke won the men's Triple Jump with a leap of 17.20m ahead of Henry Frayne of Australia (17.04m) and Evgeniy Semenenko of Ukraine (16.95m)

In other results, Eritrean multiple World Half Marathon champion, Zersenay Tadese, clocked 12:59.32 to win the men's 5000m.

Kenya's Jayrus Birech Kipchoge took the men's 3000m Steeplechase in 8:13.52, Briton Christine Ohurogu (of Nigerian parentage) won the women's 400m in 51.49 secs whilst Nigeria's Josephine Ehigwe wom the women's 400m B race in 53.83 secs.

See Complete Results:

Photos from the meet below

Full Results - 17th Barcelona International Athletics Meeting

Nigeria

Morocco

Mozambicans optimistic of All Africa Games success

ATAF Editor — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:31:07 +0000

Mozambicans optimistic of All Africa Games success ATAF Editor 14 July 2011 - 1:31pm

The Mozambican sports fans are confident of the success of their country hosting the 10th All Africa Games from September 3-18 this year in Mozambique's capital, Maputo.

Indeed, at a time when the countdown to event kick-off starts to gather speed, sports fans say that despite the financial difficulties that led to delay in completion of construction of the Olympic Village and rehabilitation of some venues, they believe the event will be a success.

On the other hand, they understand that the poor publicity and dissemination of games information is also related to the fact that the funds for this purpose are scarce, but are satisfied by the level of the work undertaken so far.

Whilst the All Africa Games Organizing Committee (COJA) continues to engage in the work to bring the event to fruition, the national teams in various sports are intensifying their work in order not to disappoint in the games to be held for the first time in a Portuguese-speaking African country.

Watch Video below:

[Alfredo Lituri (SAPO MZ)]

Mozambique

Maputo 2011

Nigeria selects 60 Athletes for 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:37:23 +0000

Nigeria selects 60 Athletes for 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo Sunny Oke Oluku 14 July 2011 - 12:37pm

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has shortlisted 60 athletes and 19 officials for Team Nigeria to the 10th All Africa Games to be held September 3-18 this year, in Maputo, Mozambique's capital.

According to a release signed by the AFN President, Chief Solomon Ogba, the shortlisted athletes are those that won their events with good return time, distances in jumps and throws in the just ended 65th Nigeria/Cross River State Track and Field Competition in Calabar.

Meanwhile, an official of the AFN told Athletics Africa that the athletics camp has been opened since Tuesday in Abuja and enjoined the home-based athletes to take note and report to camp immediately.

The full list of athletes and officials:

Team Nigeria - All Africa Games List

Nigeria

Maputo 2011

Namibian Herunga shows form in Germany

Namibia Sport — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:26:35 +0000

Namibian Herunga shows form in Germany Namibia Sport 11 July 2011 - 6:26pm

Namibian Tjipekapora Herunga continued her good form when she won the 400m race in the Internationales Abendsportfest in Rhede, Germany recently.

Herunga ran a strong race and crossed the line with a time of 53.13 to finish ahead of Magi Maris from Estonia who had a time of 53.43. She was followed by Larissa Kettenis from Germany who crossed the line with a time of 54.11.

Sprinter Hitjiverue Kaanjuka finished his 100m race in seventh place with a time of 10.78.

The race was won by Ryan Shields from Jamica who had a time of 10.28, South African Hannes Dreyer (10.35) was second and American Deun White (10.40) finished third.

Kaanjuka finished third in his 200m heat in a time of 21.32.

Globine Mayova ended sixth in her 100m and had to withdraw from the 200m due to a muscle strain.

Middle distance runner Daniel Nghipandulwa did not compete as he is nursing a tight hamstring. He is said to be reacting well to treatment from team physiotherapist Benny Obermuller from Austria.

Coach Letu Hamhola said Herunga was very happy with her performance.

“Tjipekapora is very happy to have won her first 400m on European soil and will now look to improve on certain aspects of her race that she believes will lead to an improvement in her races and times,” Hamhola said.

“The team management is happy about the overall performances of the athletes as it has been a difficult week traveling to and from Mozambique,” he added.

Herunga was Namibia’s only gold medalist at the CAA Southern Africa Senior Championships in Maputo last week.

“We were not sure how the athletes would react but they went out and competed well, therefore we just have to work harder and the times will surely improve.”

“However all of them currently have small strains and team masseur is working around the clock to get them fit for the next race. We must say we are blessed to have such an experienced person as Benny traveling with us as he does a magical job with our athletes,” Hamhola continued.

The physiotherapist has treated top athletes such as Frankie Fredericks, Agnes Samaria, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Kerron Stewart and Roger Federer.

“That’s why we are sure they will be ready for the next races especially Bottrop on the 15th were we expect to see the athletes clocking better times,” Hamhola said.

“We however just have to monitor the fitness of Daniel closely as we will not rush him back into competitions too soon.”

Namibia

Southern Africa

Dominant Montsho, Assefa and Kaki lift Africans spirits in Birmingham - Aviva Diamond League report

Yomi Omogbeja — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:56:32 +0000

Dominant Montsho, Assefa and Kaki lift Africans spirits in Birmingham - Aviva Diamond League report Yomi Omogbeja 11 July 2011 - 1:56pm

A dominant performance once again by 2011 Diamond race leader Amantle Montsho of Botswana in the women’s 400m was one of the highlights of the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix/Samsung Diamond League meeting at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, UK last night.

The 28-year-old, two-time African champion, clocked 50.20 seconds ahead of two Jamaicans, Rosemarie Whyte and Novlene Williams-Mills, who settled for second and third place in 50.82 seconds and 50.85 seconds respectively.

American reigning World Champion Sanya Richards-Ross could not cope with the pace in the final straight and faded out of contention to fourth place in 51.11 seconds.

After the race, Montsho said: "I really enjoy these Diamond League events and to get the win here is what I wanted.

"I am enjoying racing against the best athletes in the world as it really helps my motivation with the Worlds coming up. I just want to get to the Final's and then see how I get on there."

In the men's 800 metres, the double World Indoor champion from Sudan, Abubaker Kaki, blasted through in 1:44.54, with Poland’s European champion Marcin Lewandowski second in 1:45.47 and Morocco’s Armine Laalou third in 1:45.77.

"It was a very fast first lap then it slowed, but it was fine, I'm happy because it all helps to get me ready for the [World] Championship," said Kaki.

"My next race is [in] Monaco and I need testing before the Championships, but today was fine because I had a slight injury after New York and I'm happy because I didn't feel any pain," he added.

The Somali-born British runner Mukhtar Mohammed, 20, was fourth in 1:46.66.

Ethiopia’s Sofia Assefa won the 3000m Steeplechase in a meeting record of 9:25.87.

The 22-year-old, who ranks second in this year’s world lists, broke clear of her compatriot Almaz Ayana as she approached the final bend to win with Ayana recording a season’s best of 9:30.27 and Fionnuala Britton of Ireland finishing third with 9:37.93.

In other results, Ethiopia’s Kalkidan Gezehagne finished second in 4:05.96 in the women's 1500 metres behind American Morgan Uceny (4:05.64) and African champion Blessing Okagbare from Nigeria was 6th in the Women's Long Jump with a distance of 6.42 metres.

Complete Results

Botswana

Diamond Series

Namibia sends two youths to IAAF World Championships in France

Namibia Sport — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:16:18 +0000

Namibia sends two youths to IAAF World Championships in France Namibia Sport 1 July 2011 - 10:16pm

Two athletes will represent Namibia at this year’s IAAF World Youth Championships which will be held in Lille, France from July 6 to 10 2011.

Shiivomwene Shilongo and Sune Wittman are two of the three athletes that qualified for the Championships.

The team manager, Modestus Mwiila, who will travel with the two athletes said that the third athlete Kauajo Timbato would not be travelling with the team due to problems with obtaining a passport.

“Namibia will be represented by two athletes instead of the three who qualified because Kauajo could not get his passport in time,” Mwiila said.

Timbato would have taken part in the 200m sprint.

Shilongo will take part in the 2 000m steeplechase which she qualified for at the CAA Southern Region Track and Field Championships which were held in Windhoek in May.

She qualified with a time of 7:13.77 after the qualification time had been set at 7:15.00.

Wittman who also won gold at the same competition qualified for the javelin throw in Germany when she threw a distance of 43.83 when she needed a distance of 43.50 to qualify.

Wittman said she had been working hard and was expecting to bring back a medal from the World Championships.

“I expect a very big throw because I worked and practiced hard, so hopefully that will result in a medal for Namibia,” Wittman said.

Mwiila said that he had faith in the two to perform well in France.

“It is a very big competition where they are going to meet very strong athletes from countries like Jamaica, Kenya and the United States, and they are going there with the focus of being competitive so I expect they will do very well.”

“I hope they will bring back medals and improve on their personal best times and distances,’ Mwiila said.

Namibia

Southern Africa

SA's Van Blerk withdraws from Half-Marathon Championship in Port Elizabeth

SAPA — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:07:14 +0000

SA's Van Blerk withdraws from Half-Marathon Championship in Port Elizabeth SAPA 1 July 2011 - 10:07pm

South African women's title holder Irvette van Blerk has withdrawn on the eve of the South African Half-Marathon Championships which will be run in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

"Van Blerk injured her Achilles and decided that it would be better for her not to run in order to recover faster," Athletics South Africa said in a statement on Friday.

In her absence, 24-year-old Zintle Xiniwe, fresh off setting a 53:44 career best over 15km in Cape Town, has been touted as the woman to beat, along with versatile Rene Kalmer who recently recovered from a knee injury.

Defending men's champion Lucky Mohale will line-up as favourite in a bid for his second national road title this year.

Mohale won the SA 10km Championships with a gun-to-tape victory in Germiston in May.

Multiple national champion Stephen Mokoka is expected to provide Mohale with his stiffest challenge, despite focussing his training on the track in preparation for next month's World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Mohale and Mokoka face the likes of Xolisa Tyali, Mbongeni Ngxazozo and Boy Soke in what promises to be an intriguing battle in the men's race.

South Africa

Wilson Kipsang and Gilbert Kirwa return to Frankfurt Marathon in October

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:25:32 +0000

Wilson Kipsang and Gilbert Kirwa return to Frankfurt Marathon in October Yomi Omogbeja 30 June 2011 - 7:25pm

This year's jubilee edition will see a clash of the past two champions, who had both improved the course record by a significant margin: Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Gilbert Kirwa will return for the 30th BMW Frankfurt Marathon on 30th October.

Organisers of Germany's oldest city marathon, which boosts a Gold Label for Road Races awarded by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), expect a record number of around 14,000 runners to compete on the fast city loop course.

"We are ready to make the next step," said Jo Schindler, the Race Director of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon.

His race has made an astonishing progress in the past few years and has established itself as one of the fastest marathons in the world.

After three course records in three years and an improvement from 2:07:58 to 2:04:57 the BMW Frankfurt Marathon has come quite close to the official world record time of Haile Gebrselassie (2:03:59).

That is why organisers decided to offer a world record bonus for the first time in the event's history. If the record should be broken the winner would take a total of 145,000 Euros, which is the highest prize money available in marathon running on German speaking territory.

It was in October 2010 when the race got worldwide recognition because of Wilson Kipsang's sensational winning time. Clocking 2:04:57 the Kenyan became the eighth fastest marathon runner ever at that time.

"Because of this superb time a lot more world-class athletes are now interested in coming to Frankfurt. They now know that it is possible to run very fast there," said Christoph Kopp, who is responsible for the elite field of the BMW Frankfurt Marathon.

"Additionally we were able to further improve the course. This year there will be eight bends less in the inner city," he added.

This spring Wilson Kipsang took the Lake Biwa Marathon ( Japan) with a course record of 2:06:13. When he now turns to Frankfurt again he is looking to further improve his personal best.

"My aim is to get closer to the world record and to try to break it," he had said in Frankfurt last year, adding: "I think it is possible to run a world record here."

A very strong opponent has already been signed for the BMW Frankfurt Marathon as well: Gilbert Kirwa had won the race in 2009, when he improved the course record to 2:06:14.

Coming back to Frankfurt two years later the 25 year-old Kenyan also targets a very fast time after some weaker performances in the past 12 months.

While Austria's national record holder Günther Weidlinger (2:10:47 in Frankfurt 2009) had much earlier agreed to return, a promising German runner has now been added to the field: Former European 10,000 m champion Jan Fitschen will run his second marathon in Frankfurt.

He was unfortunate at his debut race in Düsseldorf in May, where very high temperatures made it extremely tough for all participants. Jan Fitschen finished with 2:20:15 and will now target a time of around 2:15.

The women's race will see the return of a former champion as well: Sabrina Mockenhaupt intends to qualify for the Olympic Games in Frankfurt. In 2008 she had surprisingly taken the event with a personal best of 2:26:22.

She managed to improve this time by a single second in Berlin a year ago. But driving rain made it difficult in Germany's capital in 2010. Sabrina Mockenhaupt will now target a time of around 2:25 at the BMW Frankfurt Marathon.

East Africa

Kenya

Sports icon Tegla Loroupe wins IOC Women and Sport World Trophy

ATAF Editor — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 18:13:07 +0000

Sports icon Tegla Loroupe wins IOC Women and Sport World Trophy ATAF Editor 30 June 2011 - 7:13pm

The Olympic Day celebration in Lausanne included the presentation of the IOC's 2011 Women and Sport Awards, with Tegla Loroupe from Kenya winning the world trophy.

The world-class athlete, former marathon world-record holder and first African woman to win the New York marathon, has also been a champion off the running track: she founded and heads the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, which educates, empowers and gives opportunities to women and communities in conflict.

For instance, she has organised numerous peace races for warring communities with the aim of building trust and breaking down stereotypes. Increasing numbers of women and girls are taking part.

The cash prizes they win empower them economically and allow them to become equal partners with men in caring for their families.

The Foundation has also created opportunities for women and girls to be trained and coached for both local and international sport.

IOC

World

Africa

Munich 2018 wowed ANOCA in Lome, to extend 50-year NOC outreach initiatives to Africa

ATAF Editor — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:54:32 +0000

Munich 2018 wowed ANOCA in Lome, to extend 50-year NOC outreach initiatives to Africa ATAF Editor 29 June 2011 - 7:54am

Munich 2018 vowed to build on the German Olympic Sports Confederation's (DOSB) 50-year programme of NOC outreach initiatives in Africa at a powerful presentation from a top-level team at the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Extraordinary General Assembly in Lomé, Togo yesterday.

Munich 2018's high-profile delegation, comprising Bid Committee Chair, Katarina Witt, DOSB President, Thomas Bach, and Bid Committee CEO, Bernhard Schwank, were joined on stage by two guest presenters who have first hand experience of the DOSB's pioneering NOC outreach programme.

Achim Ecke is one of Germany's finest international coaches; his friend and partner Lenwi Karba is one of Togo's most promising rising stars in managing and coaching athletics.

Their impassioned address to the ANOCA delegates gave an insight into some of the DOSB's remarkable impact - both on a personal level, and on African sport as a whole.

Speaking in French, Ecke described his work in planning, organising and running training camps all over Africa.

In Togo, he worked with Karba to train 22 Togolese athletics coaches, helping 90% to achieve the IAAF diploma level 2. Ecke said:

"This is just one small example of all the things that we have accomplished together over the last 50 years. It shows all the strength and potential that friendship through sport can have. On a personal level, it allowed me to forge a deep friendship with Lenwi which I know will bind us forever.'

Karba described his long personal affinity with German sport. A DOSB athletics expert helped him to apply for a one-year DOSB training course in Mainz. From there, he went on to study sports science and coaching in Cologne. He said:

"Through the programmes offered by Munich 2018, the hugely successful training camps concept, which we saw for the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin, will be expanded, and there will be more study scholarships for coaches, athletes, administrators and sports scientists.'

Africa's support

Karba's experience is far from unique. In a powerful closing speech, Thomas Bach called upon the delegates to support Munich 2018 and, in so doing, guarantee more life changing sporting friendships for the next generation:

"I am deeply convinced that Munich 2018 will deliver great benefits to each of your NOCs. Let us renew our historic sports and cultural partnership through Munich 2018.

"Let us build an even stronger future together, for the benefit of millions of young Africans across the next generations.

"With your support, we are looking forward to welcoming you to our Festival of Friendship in 2018: a genuine and true celebration of the magic of the Olympic Winter Games, in an atmosphere that we will all cherish together and never, ever forget.'

Katarina Witt emphasised Munich's uniquely cosmopolitan offering to the Olympic Movement:

"Munich is an open city of great diversity, with residents from 181 countries who have helped to create our popular culture. At the Haus der Kunst, for instance, one of our greatest art museums, the new director is Okwui Enwezor from Nigeria. Like so many others, he will welcome you in your own language and your own customs.

"Munich is a city of festivals that attracts millions of guests every year-last year, a record 11 million. Our famous Oktoberfest draws more than six million visitors in two weeks. All of them have a memorable time. And you will too."

Bernhard Schwank focused on the opportunity Munich 2018 offers to increase resources throughout the Olympic family:

"Munich 2018 offers a stronger financial foundation for the future. As you may know, German companies are funding approximately 50% of the sponsorship revenues for the seven winter sports federations, all without the honour of hosting the Games. Imagine what a Winter Games in Munich could do!

"Revenues for winter sport would dramatically increase-and give the Olympic Movement, sponsors and broadcasters what they really want.

"This would greatly benefit the entire Olympic family. The Winter Games produces about 40% of the revenues for the whole Olympic Movement.

"Due to the distribution to IFs, NOCs and Olympic Solidarity, every country, every continent and every sport - be it winter or summer - would benefit."

With Munich 2018's compelling pledge to help deliver the power of Olympism to new markets, the Bid Committee is building its momentum in the last week before the final presentation at the 123rd IOC Session in Durban.

The decision on who will host the 2018 Games will be announced at 5pm on July 6th in Durban, South Africa.

Togo

Africa

WADA and WCO sign ground-breaking partnership

WADA — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:19:26 +0000

WADA and WCO sign ground-breaking partnership WADA 28 June 2011 - 2:19pm

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Customs Organization (WCO) that will give a significant boost to the fight against doping in sport.

The MOU was signed at the WCO's Brussels headquarters on Friday, June 24 and will foster co-operation in activities of common interest in the areas of anti-doping and the trafficking of doping substances within the organizations' respective mandates.

It will include co-operation in the collection, storage and exchange of information, the setting up of information sessions and seminars, and cross-organization alerts on trends observed in the areas of anti-doping and the trafficking of doping substances.

The MOU further supports the national and international anti-doping measures referred to in the UNESCO ‘International Convention against Doping in Sport', which to date has been ratified by 159 member states.

"This MOU is a significant development for WADA as it will enable the agency to increase intelligence on upstream perpetrators involved in doping activities, the illegal organizations and individuals that provide doping substances to the sporting world," said WADA Director General David Howman.

"We are grateful to the WCO for their commitment to the fight against doping in sport.

"The partnership sends out another very clear message that there is strong unity amongst agencies across the world to eradicate all forms of doping - not just for the sake of sport, but for the health and well being of society as a whole."

The partnership will also encourage the implementation of relevant legislation in all WCO member countries to enable customs officers to fight against the trafficking of doping substances.

"The WCO is committed to working with its international partners to combat all forms of illicit trade, including the trade in illegal, counterfeit and unlicensed pharmaceutical products," said WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya.

"This MOU will facilitate relations between WADA and the WCO, provide us with a concrete basis for further cooperation, contribute to a healthier and safer international sporting environment, and encourage Customs administrations in meeting one of their core aims, namely, the protection of society."

The WCO is the sole competent global intergovernmental organization in customs matters, whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs worldwide.

WADA is the independent international agency funded equally by governments and the sport movement, whose mission is to lead a collaborative worldwide campaign for doping-free sport.

Anti-Doping

Ajunwa returns with fight against drug use in sport

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:58:04 +0000

Ajunwa returns with fight against drug use in sport Sunny Oke Oluku 28 June 2011 - 1:58pm

Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara has reiterated the need for Nigeria athletes to shun drugs saying it will destroy their career and it should not be allowed in any competition because it is a violation of the spirit of good sportsmanship.

The Nigeria Police officer, who now runs a campaign fighting against the use of illicit drugs by athletes, said during the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River Athletics Championships that ended at the weekend in Calabar, Cross River state that doping should not be part of sports.

Ajunwa, who was herself banned from the sport for four years after failing a doping test in 1992, stated that she is using her foundation to appeal to all athletes in the country to join her in educating all on the inherent danger of taking illegal drugs in sports.

"Since the Cross River state will be hosting the championship for five years, the government should take the fight seriously and acquire all the necessary machines and manpower needed to discourage doping at any level of sporting competitions.

"Sports bring fame and wealth, the positive effects of being an athlete can never be overemphasized for it is a life long experience.

Doping (drug use) can be a roadblock towards athletes realizing their full ambitions and expectations."

While stating that performance enhancing drugs like anabolic steroid, stimulants, narcotics, diuretics, peptide hormones, mimetic, analogues, cannabinoids and heroin may help the athletes in their own opinion to perform better; she however says the use is dangerous. She said drug use is not worth risking one's life or health for.

According to her, the world today is a sport-oriented global community where many are already engaged in one sporting activity or the other and many others are finding their way into sports.

She said it is disheartening to say that many athletes also drop along the way without achieving their targets because of the usage of illegal drugs in sports.

Anti-Doping

Nigeria

Metu looks forward to Daegu 2011 challenge

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:21:12 +0000

Metu looks forward to Daegu 2011 challenge Sunny Oke Oluku 28 June 2011 - 1:21pm

Former Nigeria 100m male champion, Obinna Metu is ready to challenge the best runners in the 100m when the IAAF Wolrd challenge begins in August.

According to Metu, there is nothing to fear when the time comes as he is ready to run against Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell in Korea.

Speaking on the backdrop of his losing to new Nigeria champion, Ogho-Oghene Egwero in the 100m men race during the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River Athletrics Championship, the Business Management undergraduate student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka said he lost because he was concentrating on his final exams in school so did not give much time to athletics.

"I am fully ready to run against the world best in the 100m in August. There is nothing to fear when the time comes because these days in athletics, names don't scare people. You can only win when you are ready and I am fully fit to face Bolt, Powel and Tayson Gay in August.

"I lost the 100m race to Egwero because I was not fully prepared, I was preparing for my first semester final exams, so I really did not prepare well and all I was doing was to make the time standard that will take me to Korea."

Metu, coached by the former national sprinter Uchenna Emedolu, has a personal best time over 100 metres of 10.16 seconds set in 2008.

In the 100m men event during the All Nigeria qualifiers in Calabar, Metu settled for the silver medal behind Egwero with 11.35 seconds. Egwero won the gold with 11.34 seconds.

But he came on strongly on Saturday to win the 200m gold with a time of 20.84 ahead of Ukoli Elvis who took the silver in 21.22 seconds.

Nigeria

Daegu 2011

I am a fighter, says Tosin Oke

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:56:20 +0000

I am a fighter, says Tosin Oke Sunny Oke Oluku 28 June 2011 - 12:56pm

Africa and Commonwealth triple jump champion, Tosin Oke has his sight set on the finals of the men's triple jump when the World's best converge in Daegu, Korea in August for the IAAF World Championships.

Oke, who won the triple jump Gold last weekend in Calabar during the Nigerian trials, says as long as he stays injury free and being a fighter, he sees no reason why he won't make it to the finals at the World championships in Korea.

"My target now is to make it to the finals in Korea. I am a fighter and I will fight my way to it.

"Right now I am in good form and I don't see anything that will stop me from that in as much as I stay injury free."

Speaking on his poor runs in the current IAAF Diamond League series, Oke attributed his poor form to injury which he said he got in April and that being the best league in the world, he cannot pull out of it but compete.

He said he missed the opening stage of the league and that since he started two weeks ago, he is now ready to acquire points that will see him through the league.

"My diamond league appearance has been so poor, in April I had an injury, a groin injury and it affected my programs for this season that was why I was not able to compete when it started but since it is the best League in the World, I could not pull out of it, I had to jump.

"I started last two weeks and so right now I am good to go for the World Champs," said the 31-year-old.

Nigeria

Daegu 2011

Iita, Johannes win Old Mutual in Keetmanshoop

Namibia Sport — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 11:04:33 +0000

Iita, Johannes win Old Mutual in Keetmanshoop Namibia Sport 26 June 2011 - 12:04pm

Reinhold Iita and Helalaia Johannes won the men and women’s categories respectively at the first leg of the 2011 Old Mutual Victory Races in Keetmanshoop on Saturday.

In the men’s race, Iita and Johannes Naitembu broke away from the pack early on and matched each other stride for stride. Iita however stepped up the pace about a kilometre before the end to eventually finish a comfortable winner.

Iita won in a time of 1:09:08, while Naitembu finished four seconds behind in 1:09:12. Simon Shipongala came third in 1:11:32.

Some of Namibia’s top marathon runners like however were not in action like last year’s overall winner Luketz Swartbooi, Mynardt Kuanivi and Frans Hosea.

Johannes dominated the women’s race from the start. She broke away early on and ran by herself for most of the race to finish in a time of 1:14:55.

Alina Armas from Windhoek came second in 1:21:09, while Beata Naigambo came third in 1:21:57.

The prize money for the winners was N$1 500, N$800 for the runner-up and N$600 for third place.

It was the first time that the Old Mutual Victory Races had been held in Keetmanshoop in seven years and the turnout made it well worthwhile with more than 550 athletes entering for the race. Most of the participants competed in the 5km race with only 40 athletes participating in the 21km race.

The next leg of the Old Mutual Victory Races will take place in Swakopmund on July 14. With the race also serving as the National Half Marathon Championships, a lot of entries can be expected.

[Namibia Sport, Namibia's leading sport magazine first appeared in February 2002. Since then it has appeared on a monthly basis without fail, making it Namibia 's longest running independent magazine to date.]

Namibia

Southern Africa

Namibian Nghipandula takes Austrian 1500m win

Namibia Sport — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:18:49 +0000

Namibian Nghipandula takes Austrian 1500m win Namibia Sport 25 June 2011 - 2:18pm

Namibian middle distance runner, Daniel Nghipandulwa, won the men's 1500m race in cold, wet and windy conditions on Thursday in Reid, Austria.

Nghipandulwa finished ahead of Daniel Hummel of Germany and Filip Jalovy of the Czech Republic with a winning time of 3:51.17.

In the absence of her traditional 400m, Tjipekapora Herunga competed in the 100m and the 200m.

Herunga finished second in the 200m with a time of 24,74 and was fifth in the 100m A race with a time of 12,50. Both races were won by South African Carina Horn with times of 11,88 and 24,15 in the 100m and 200m respectively.

Sprint sensation, Globine Mayova won the 100m B race with a time of 12,49 beating Marina Banovic from Croatia and third placed Austrian Verana Manapace.

Hitjevirue Kaanjuka finished third in the 100m A race with a time of 10,84 and then was second in the 200m A race with a time of 21,84.

The team's coach, Letu Hamhola who travelled with the team said that the athletes were happy with their results.

"Apart from the unfavourable weather conditions, the athletes are happy that they participated in their first athletics meeting in Europe and are looking forward to racing more in preparation for the All Africa Games in Maputo," Hamhola said.

The athletes were invited to compete in six events in Germany and depending on their performance, could be invited to compete in more events.

Along with Hamhola, they are also accompanied by Agnes Samaria who is the team manager.

Their visit forms part of the Vision 2016 programme which was originally developed by Samaria and Hamhola, and which has subsequently been sponsored by the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture.

Herunga, Mayova and Nghipandulwa have already qualified for the All Africa Games in Mozambique while Kaanjuka is yet to reach the qualifying standards.

Namibia

Southern Africa

Emedolu backs Nigerian athletes to shine in Daegu, Korea

Sunny Oke Oluku — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:32:19 +0000

Emedolu backs Nigerian athletes to shine in Daegu, Korea Sunny Oke Oluku 25 June 2011 - 10:32am

Former Nigeria sprint star, Uchenna Emedolu has debunked insinuations from some quarters that Nigerian athletes will flounder when the IAAF World Championships begins in August in Korea.

The athletics coach stated this in Calabar during the just concluded All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships that was held from 23rd to 25th June.

"I laugh when people say Nigeria athletes are wasting their time doing trials to run against the world best, if you don't train and go for competitions, one will never be able to win anything.

"There are people that don't believe Nigeria can pull magic in world athletics today but I say we are getting there.

"In Korea when the World will meet, I assure all that with what some Nigerians are running today, we will surely pull weight in Korea."

Meanwhile, the Enugu base athletics coach has stated his plans of taking his athletics foundation which he has been running in Enugu to greater height.

Emedolu said the foundation has been running for something now and that in five to seven years time, Nigeria will be seeing under 9 seconds men and women athletes.

"I have a foundation which I have been running in Enugu and I believe with sponsors and time, I will be producing under 9 seconds' runners in the male and female category in Nigeria."

The Coach who was recently ban by the National Sports Commission (NSC) for baton dropping, says he has been unban but that his money has not been paid to him by the commission.

"I have been unbanned by the National Sports Commission so I am free to continue with my coaching job but I have not be given the money owned me by them," he said.

Daegu 2011

Nigeria

Diack laments dearth of Olympic medals in Nigeria

Sunny Oke Oluku — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 09:15:11 +0000

Diack laments dearth of Olympic medals in Nigeria Sunny Oke Oluku 25 June 2011 - 10:15am

The inability of Nigeria to win more medals in the Olympic Games and World Championships in recent years is a source of worry to an influential member of the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA).

Showing his concern at the trend during the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River Athletics Championships, a major marketer of the CAA, Thierno Alassane Diack says it's high time the trend is reverse.

Diack said with the caliber of athletes in the country, there is no reason the country is finding it hard to win Olympic medals.

The Senegalese stated that there was a time in Senegal where there were up to 15 Nigerian athletes running for Senegal but that the trend has changed as most Nigerian athletes are now running for European countries.

On the choice of Gloria Asumnu, the former US athlete deciding to run for Nigeria, Diack said the president of the Nigeria Athletics Federation should be commended for trying to bring back all athletes back to the country.

"Nigeria is a great country and it pains me when I see its athletes not winning medals at the Olympics. I really don't know why it is happening because when it comes to Africa, Nigeria has some of the best athletes to compete with.

"There were times when we have up to 15 Nigerian athletes running for Senegal but that has reduced tremendously.

"With the running of Gloria Asumnu in this trial, it shows that the AFN president has done his home work well, he should be commended for trying to bring back all Nigerian athletes running for other countries."

It will be recalled that Asumnu, in her first race for Nigeria, ran the 100m women race against Blessing Okagbare and Damola Osayomi and came third 11.36 seconds.

West Africa

Nigeria

Nigeria sign to train in Surrey for London 2012

ATAF Editor — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 20:36:45 +0000

Nigeria sign to train in Surrey for London 2012 ATAF Editor 24 June 2011 - 9:36pm

The Nigerian National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Surrey Council today signed an agreement which will see the African nation based in Surrey for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

A memorandum of understanding was signed at Surrey Sports Park on Friday 24 June between key representatives of both parties, including the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Sani Ndanusa.

The agreement will see athletes representing Nigeria train and stay at key multi-sport venues in the county including the University of Surrey owned Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum, in preparation to the Games in just over a year's time.

Beijing Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije and canoeist John Akinyemi were taken on a tour of the sporting facilities.

Paul Blanchard Surrey Sports Park Chief Executive, said, “It was pleasure to host the Nigerian Olympic Delegation here today and we are very excited to have agreed to host Nigeria here in Surrey and at Surrey Sports Park.

"We believe our facilities and accommodation will offer the Nigerian athletes world-class preparation for what we hope will be a successful Games for the nation."

"We've been working hard behind the scenes to sell Surrey as the best place for Olympic teams to base themselves in the run-up to and during the Games, so I'm delighted Nigeria has decided to train its athletes here," said Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos.

"I'm sure Surrey will give them a welcome they will never forget and I hope their presence will encourage even more people to take up sport."

Nigerian Olympic Committee president Sani Endanusa said Surrey's training facilities and closeness to Olympic venues were key to the decision to base his country's athletes in the county.

"At previous Olympic Games in Beijing and Athens we went there to perhaps participate only, but this time around of course we are competing.

"We are here to compete for medals, gold medals."

The Australian road cycling team, Antigua and Barbuda, Singapore, the Cayman Islands and the Croatian Paralympic Team have already announced they will train in Surrey.

Nigeria

London 2012

Okagbare wins third successive Nigerian title, Egwero shocks Metu - All Nigeria Championships Day 1 wrap

Yomi Omogbeja — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:25:24 +0000

Okagbare wins third successive Nigerian title, Egwero shocks Metu - All Nigeria Championships Day 1 wrap Yomi Omogbeja 24 June 2011 - 8:25am

Defending champion Blessing Okagbare yesterday retained her national 100m title winning for the third successive years at the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships inside the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar, Cross Rivers state of Nigeria.

Okagbare, also the African women's 100m champion, edged out arch-rival and Africa's fastest woman so far in 2011 Oludamola Osayomi in a close finish 11.22 seconds to 11.23 seconds.

The highly anticipated clash between the two fastest Nigerian women lived up to the expectactions as the rivals battled from the start to the finish line.

Gloria Asunmu, competing at the Nigerian trials for the first time since choosing to represent the African nation instead of the United States, was third in 11.36 seconds.

University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) Endurance Abinuwa was fourth in 11.37 seconds ahead of Agnes Osazuwa, fifth in 11.39 seconds.

“It was a tight race, but obviously it was clear that I took first just at the tape,” said Okagbare after the race.

Egwero shocks Metu

In the men's 100m race, Ogho-Oghene Egwero showed lots of maturity and calmness to edge out defending champion Obinna Metu at the finish line winning in 10.34 seconds.

Metu, who led for most part of the race, finished disappointedly in 10.35 seconds with Peter Emeliese third in 10.48 seconds.

Stanley Azie, one of the latest entrants to the Nigerian scene from the United States, finished fourth in 10.54 seconds.

Selected Results

Women's 100 Final:

Blessing Okagbare (11.22)
Damola Osayomi (11.23)
Gloria Asunmu (11.36)
Endurance Abinuwa (11.37)
Agnes Osazuwa (11.39)
Oluwaseun Odeyemi (11.76)

Men's 100m Final

Ogho-Oghene Egwero (10.34)
Obinna Metu (10.35)
Peter Emeliese (10.48)
Stanley Azie (10.54)
Elvis Ukale (10.58)
Chinedu Oriala (10.59)
Benjamin Adukwu (10.60)
Chukwuma Onyeakwu (10.66)

Women's Triple Jump Final

Otonye Iworima (13.70m)
Blessing Ibrahim (13.51m)
Nkiruka Domike (13.49m)

Shot Put Men's Final

Kenechukwu Ezeofor (15.90m)
Augustine Nwoye (15.87m)
Tunde Adeyemi (14.31m)

Shot Put Women's Final

Chinwe Okoro (16.79m)
Omotayo Talabi (15.00m)
Nkechi Chime (13.72m)

Javelin Men's Final

Friday Osayande (66.23m)
Kenechukwu Ezeofor (66.17m)
Mike John Eze (60.11m)

5000m Women's Final

Pam Debora (17:18.87 secs)
Blessing Michael (17:38.48 secs)
Omoyemi Agigi (17:39.20 secs)

Complete DAY 1 Results

Calabar 2011

Nigeria

Old Mutual Victory races to kick off in Keetmanshoop

Namibia Sport — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:38:15 +0000

Old Mutual Victory races to kick off in Keetmanshoop Namibia Sport 23 June 2011 - 12:38pm

The first leg of this year's Old Mutual Victory Race Series will take place in Keetmanshoop on June 25 starting at the Keetmanshoop Stadium.

The race has traditionally been run in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Oshakati and this year Keetmanshoop was added as the fourth leg.

In their 11th year, Old Mutual decided to increase its total contribution from N$350 000 in 2010 to N$480 000.

Race organiser, Quinton Steele Botes said that most of the top marathon runners would take part in Saturday's race.

"I think there will be a huge competition between Beata Naigambo and Helalia Johannes in the women's race," Steele Botes said.

"In the men's race we will have Reinhold Iita, who I think is a better half marathon runner, Johannes Naitembu who was runner up in last year's series and Luketz Swartbooi who won the series last year," he added.

"At 44 years old, Swartbooi won the series last year and I think he will always be a factor where ever he competes. He has a lot of experience and I think the other runners should not forget about him especially over 21km."

The race features four age categories namely, under 15, 15 to 19 years, 20 to 39 years and the 40 and over.

The best overall junior athletes, male and female, will each receive an academic and sports bursary to the value of N$ 12 000, while the best overall athletes in the senior category will receive N$15 000.

The top athletes in the senior category also receive an all expenses paid trip to compete in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town next year.

The overall category winners will be determined by taking the two best times of an athlete in the series. Athletes also need to participate in the final in Windhoek and at least one other event of the series.

The Swakopmund race will take place on July 16 followed by the Oshakati race on July 23. The Windhoek race will be last on 6 August.

"I think the Swakopmund race will produce the better times because it will be cooler and the course is mainly flat racing. The Windhoek race will be the toughest of the four because it will be a hilly course that will be used on the Daan Viljoen route," Steele Botes said.

[Namibia Sport, Namibia's leading sport magazine first appeared in February 2002. Since then it has appeared on a monthly basis without fail, making it Namibia 's longest running independent magazine to date.]

Namibia

Nigerian Athletics federation raises prize money for national trials

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:19:47 +0000

Nigerian Athletics federation raises prize money for national trials Sunny Oke Oluku 23 June 2011 - 12:19pm

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has increased the prize money of the 2011 All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championship which commenced at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar today.

According to the AFN President, Solomon Ogba, the quality of medals to be won in the championship have been improved and its standard taken to a higher level as entertainment has been introduced to add color to it, adding that the prize money for the two categories have been increased to make it more attractive.

He explained that under the Premium category the Gold medal cash prize has been increased from N50,000 to N100,000, Silver medal from N30,000 to N50,000 and Bronze medal from N20,000 to N50,000 respectively.

And cash prizes for the Classic category will be N70,000 for Gold medalist, N50,000 for Silver and N30,000 for Bronze.

The AFN President said random doping test will be undertaken because the federation takes it seriously that athletes can do well without taking drugs and said the Cross River State Government will organize a gala for all the athletes and officials while describing these as novel ideas that were not there before and hoped it will improve next year.

“We are increasing the prize money in this year’s edition because we want to upgrade the competition to international standard and I believe all the winning athletes will smile at the end of the day.

“Also for the first time, the host state governor will be hosting athletes and officials in a gala and I hope next year’s edition will supersede this one,” he concluded.

N1 million at stake

In line with the innovation promised by the AFN in this year’s All Nigeria/Cross River Championship, the AFN has mapped out plan to present 1million naira to the all best athlete at the end of the championship.

Disclosing this on Wednesday was the Technical/Performance Director of the AFN, Sunday Bada explained that this is part of the innovative, introduced to add value to the championship.

He said a One million Naira prize will be presented to the all best athlete during the championship based on specific standards which will be given after a doping test and that the prize money could be shared if there are more than one winners.

The Nigeria Police Officer said there will also be kid athletic program to develop talents, adding that about 500 children from primary and post-primary schools in Calabar are expected to participate.

Calabar 2011

Nigeria

Okagbare targets World Athletics Championships in Daegu

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:55:25 +0000

Okagbare targets World Athletics Championships in Daegu Sunny Oke Oluku 23 June 2011 - 11:55am

Nigeria's and African women 100m champion, Blessing Okagbare has stated that her target at the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships is to make it to the IAAF World Championship in Daegu, Korea in August.

The Delta State born athlete is in the Cross River state capital where the national trials started today to select athletes that will represent the country in the IAAF World Athletics Championships and the 2011 All-Africa Games in August and September respectively.

Okagbare, who has not been finding it good in the IAAF Diamond League has promised to put in a good performance that will give her an under 10 seconds mark that will give her a place in the team to both competitions.

"Right now my focus is the IAAF World Championship and the All Africa Games in Korea and Mozambique respectively," said Okagbare.

"I know I have to put in a good race to enable me make the team, so that is what I will be doing from today here in Calabar.

"On my Diamond League outings, I always put in my best to come out among the best but like we all know, God knows it all."

Okagbare will be contesting for a place in the team by running in the 100m, 4x100m and long jump but stated that Nigerians should expect the best from her from today here in Calabar.

"I am doing the 100m, 4x100m and the long jump and Nigerians should expect the best from me as I will be doing all my events with the seriousness that always makes me win," she said.

Okagbare will be running against former Nigeria 100m champion, Damola Osayomi and others. Okagbare had a season's best of 11.08 seconds set earlier this month at the IAAF Diamond league event in Eugene, Oregon.

Explosive women's 100m

Meanwhile, national athletics coach, Tony Osheku has said the women's 100m race at this year's edition will be filled with anticipation following the 10.99 seconds ran by former Nigeria championship, Damola Osayomi.

Osheku said with her time of 10.99 seconds, Damola has thrown a big challenge to current champion, Blessing Okagbare in the 100m women showdown.

"Damola has thrown the challenge at Blessing who is the current champion since 2009."

It would be recalled that Okagbare won the title from Damola Osayomi in 2009, thereby stopping Damola from making it a hat-trick of 100m titles at the 2009 Mobil championships.

According to Osheku, Damola now have a chance to also stop Blessing from winning her third back-to-back titles in the event.

"It is going to be a very interesting race because Damola will want to take her pound of flesh by stopping Okagbare from winning a hat trick in the 100m women race.

"We know what Okagbare can do, she will also be aiming to break 11 seconds in the 100m which she came close to doing last year when she ran 11.00 seconds at the Crystal Palace meeting in England last August.

"This is one race Nigerians are waiting for and I cannot wait for the battle to begin, he said.

Osayomi's run of 10.99 seconds ensured she jumped above Blessing Okagbare in the IAAF top list for the on-going season as well as in the Nigerian all-time performance list.

Calabar 2011

Daegu 2011

All Nigeria/Cross River Championship: ExxonMobil has never been the sponsor - Ogba

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:34:35 +0000

All Nigeria/Cross River Championship: ExxonMobil has never been the sponsor - Ogba Sunny Oke Oluku 23 June 2011 - 11:34am

In a shocking revelation on Wednesday in Calabar, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) stated categorically that ExxonMobil had never sponsored the All Nigeria athletics championship but had supported it as a corporate social responsibility programme.

He also said that the partnership with Cross River State is the first time the AFN will have a sponsor, explaining that the Cross River State Government agreed on all the issues in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) while the sponsorship for the five uninterrupted years will gulp N250 million as the N50 million for this year's edition has been received.

The President regretted that some Nigeria athletes had changed nationality and looked for greener pasture elsewhere because the nation had no programme for them.

He added that the trend is gradually going down due to the role of AFN while advising that one should look beyond funding as some countries not as rich as Nigeria have invested hugely in sports as well as celebrated their athletes which shows a lesson on patriotism.

Ogba reasoned that it was high time the sports Ministry was placed on the executive list like other ministries like Health and Education because of its capability to lift the image of the country while calling for the upliftment of Athletics because it has promoted the country more than any other sports.

Why Cross Rivers?

Ogba also gave reasons why the federation decided to chose Calabar as the host state for the competition.

The AFN President disclosed that the federation considered Calabar when the offer came from the state government because most of the foreign-based Nigerian athletes are comfortable with the city when they visited last year as there was no kidnapping while its reputation is very high.

Moreover, he added that the state has developed a futuristic programme to develop talents because one of the problems affecting sports development in the country is the absence of a clear cut and articulate road map and as such he saw the decision of Cross River State as welcome idea which falls in line with the vision of the federation.

Calabar 2011

Nigeria

Namibian Sherwin Vries plans track comeback in London

Namibia Sport — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:05:04 +0000

Namibian Sherwin Vries plans track comeback in London Namibia Sport 22 June 2011 - 7:05pm

Former Namibian sprinter Sherwin Vries is planning a comeback to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London next summer.

Vries burst onto the scene in 1999 as a 19 year old when he broke Frank Fredericks' national junior 100m and 200m records with respective times of 10,27 and 20,67 seconds.

He represented Namibia at several international events including the 1999 All Africa Game and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

In 2002 he however moved to South Africa, where he was granted citizenship a few years later.

He went on to represent South Africa in several international athletics events, including the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia and the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria. His last appearance for South Africa came in 2007 at the World Athletics Championships in Osaka, Japan.

At a press conference at the Namibia National Olympic Committee press conference on Monday, Vries said that he had not represented South Africa for the past four years and that he hoped to represent Namibia at the 2012 Olympics.

"Although I was competing for South Africa in the past, my heart was always in Namibia and I now hope to compete for Namibia at the 2012 Olympics," he said.

"When I went to the 2000 Olympics, I was young and it never really sunk in. I was talented, but I was ignorant," he addded.

Vries said that Namibian athletes had the talent to compete with the best in the world, but they just needed better coaching.

"Now I see so much potential amongst our youth, but we need to invest in our coaches if we want to improve. We don't lack the talent, but we lack the discipline and the resources," He said.

Olympic Day

Vries was speaking at a press conference to publicise the Olympic Day which will be held in Namibia on June 25.

Ndeulipulwa Hamutumwa of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) said that Olympic Day was celebrated all over the world with the aim of promoting Olympic values and ethics and to bring athletes together.

"The NNOC will also celebrate the day in five Namibian towns. Our aim is to eventually bring the Olympic spirit to all of Namibia's towns," he said.

The five Namibian towns are Keetmanshoop, Okahandja, Tsumeb, Omaruru and Oshakati.

Joan Smit, the Deputy Secretary General Organising Committee of the NNOC said that several activities, including fun runs, dance competitions and street basketball competitions will be held on the day, while tree planting ceremonies will also take place.

"The International Olympic Committee strongly supports the protection of the environment and we will once again get the communities involved to plant trees on which we will paint the Olympic rings," she said.

The Olympic Day will be co-sponsored by Coca Cola who contributed N$25 000 and the NNOC.

London 2012

Namibia

AFN Golden League winners targets national trials

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:05:31 +0000

AFN Golden League winners targets national trials Sunny Oke Oluku 21 June 2011 - 7:05pm

The four winners of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League prize money has stated their resolve to continue their winning streak when they compete in the national athletics trials that will kick off in Calabar this week, 23rd to 25 June.

According to Baba Ibrahim who won the hammer event in the five venues of the event, the prize money came to him at the right time as he will continue his preparation with it so as to make it to the World Championship and the All African Games.

Baba said with is throwing so far; he will make the team to both games and said when he go out to represent the country, despite that he will be throwing against the best in the world and Africa, he will stand out tall.

"I am happy I am one of the winners of the prize money and believe me, this money came at the right time because I will use it to prepare myself for the championships we have this year."

Meanwhile, Shola Anota, who won the long jump with a 7.4m said he is not there yet as he has to contend with the national champion, Stanley Gbagbeke, who has 8m.

Anota said he will use the money to perfect his jumps during the national trials in Calabar, hoping he will qualify for the World Championships and All Africa Games and compete with the World best.

Justin Agu who won the 800m also talked about his plans for the money, he said he is going back to the drawing board with is coach so as to run a better time during the national trials in Calabar.

It would be pertinent to note that the four winners of the 2011 Athletics Federation of Nigeria Golden League where all from the Nigeria Security and Civil defense Corps (NSCDC).

They are Baba Ibrahim (Hammer), Shola Anota (Long jump), Justin Agu (800m) and the NSCDC 4x100m women team and they all shared the 2million that was at stake for the event.

Nigeria

Calabar 2011

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Gbagbeke eyes sprint medals in Calabar

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:55:26 +0000

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Gbagbeke eyes sprint medals in Calabar Sunny Oke Oluku 21 June 2011 - 4:55pm

Nigerian Long Jump champion, Stanley Avwarosuoghene Gbagbeke has decided to include the short sprints in his programme as he crave for more challenges in athletics.

Gbagbeke who arrived the country last Thursday said sprint has always been on his mind but has now decided to include it to his long jumping sessions this season.

Though he said it has been tough since he started the sprint workout, he had to endure it to make it this year in the event.

He specifically stated that he will be competing for the 100m and 200m events with other athletes in Nigeria.

"Right now I'm training hard to make it a good season for me. I just included the sprint workout to my training schedule. It's been tough though but I got to endure it because I have to make it in the 100 and 200m."

Debunking the notion that he will find it difficult in the sprint, the US based athlete said that sprint has always been his game starting that he was in the country's 4x100m men team in the Commonwealth Games that was held in India last year.

"I am not new to sprint at all, I have been doing it but not in competitions but during the last Commonwealth Games in India, I was in the men 4x100 team, I ran the third leg of the heat," he said.

Nigeria

Calabar 2011

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Five African champions set for Nigerian trials

Sunny Oke Oluku — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:37:04 +0000

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Five African champions set for Nigerian trials Sunny Oke Oluku 21 June 2011 - 4:37pm

The All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships scheduled to start on Thursday will see five Nigeria's African champions competing for honours as well as many new faces.

Current Nigeria and Africa 100m champion, Blessing Okagbare will be defending her title at the U.J Esuene stadium against former champion, Damola Osayomi, Agnes Osazuwa and another hot shot in the 100m women race, United State born sprinter, Gloria Asumnu.

Okagbare, who won the 100m and long jump gold at the 17th African Championship last August in Nairobi, Kenya will also be aiming to join the class of Mary Onyali and Endurance Ojokolo who won the blue ribbon gold three times consecutively.

Another African champion who will add color and class to the championship is sprinter, Oludamola Osayomi, the fastest Nigerian woman so far this year.

Osayomi won the 200m gold last year in Nairobi at the African Championships and she is double sprints gold medalist at the 9th All Africa Games held four years ago in Algiers.

She will be aiming to wrestle the 100m crown from the woman who deposed her in 2009.On current form; she looks unstoppable with her African leading 10.99 seconds return.

Sprint hurdles queen, Seun Adigun, who arrived the country on Sunday and like Africa triple jump king, Tosin Oke only recently switched allegiance to Nigeria.

Adigun is the reigning national and African champion and she will have Jessica Ohanaja to contend with if she is desirous of making it gold number two at the championships.

Also in town to add colours to the trials is African and Commonwealth triple jump king, Tosin Oke who will also be defending the title he won last year.

Oke, a former British junior international has had a remarkable change in fortune since he switched his allegiance to Nigeria three years ago.

National High jump queen, Doreen Amata, reigning All Africa Games queen is also around to reclaim the title she surrendered last year without a fight.

She took a year off track and field for procreation and looks set to be crowned queen again. She holds the best mark by a Nigerian nay African jumper so far this year at 1.90m which looks a bridge too far for her adversaries to think of crossing.

Veteran Shot Putter, Marian Ibekwe who turned the hand of the clock in Nairobi by winning the shot put gold is also in town for the event.

Ibekwe is one of the veterans of the All Nigeria Athletics Championships. She won the Shot Put title three times back-to-back from 1989 to 1991 and is favored once again to make it gold number eight in the event.

Ebewele expects

Meanwhile, Former Edo state commissioner for Sports, Brown Ebewele says the showdown between former 100m national champion Damola Osayomi and current national and Africa champion, Blessing Okagbare during the All Nigeria Championships 2011 can be likened to that of World 100m champion Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.

Ebewele said Nigerians cannot wait to watch the race as he will be going to Calabar just to watch the race.

'Jujuman', as he is often called, said from his own understanding of both athletes, Blessing is more street smart than Osayomi and thinks she will use that against the former champion Damola, who lost her crown to Blessing Okagbare in 2009.

"This race is going to be a war as Osayomi will want to reclaim her title while Okagbare will want to maintain her position as number in Nigeria and Africa.

"We all saw Bolt's comeback race against Asafa Powell recently and it was electrifying. That is what this race will look like but I will give it to Okagbare because of her intelligence, she will use that against Osayomi despite her running 10.99 recently in Brazil."

However, Ebewele bemoans the poor finishing time by athletes during the finals of the Golden League in Warri.

He said with this time so far, he doesn't see how they will be able to run against the professionals coming in for the trials.

The former AFN board member said the 10.44 seconds done by Egwero is not encouraging as 100m men are now running under 10 seconds in competitions.

Nigeria

Calabar 2011

London 2012: Chris Ofili and others to design official Olympic and Paralympic artwork

Yomi Omogbeja — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 14:34:37 +0000

London 2012: Chris Ofili and others to design official Olympic and Paralympic artwork Yomi Omogbeja 21 June 2011 - 3:34pm

To mark one year to go to the London 2012 Festival, acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Chris Ofili has today been announced as one of the 12 British artists chosen to design the official Olympic and Paralympic posters for the London 2012 Games.

Alongside Manchester-born Ofili, Tracey Emin, Fiona Banner, Michael Craig-Martin, Martin Creed, Anthea Hamilton, Howard Hodgkin, Gary Hume, Sarah Morris, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith and Rachel Whiteread will each create a poster.

They will be shown in a free exhibition at Tate Britain as part of the London 2012 Festival, and will go on sale this autumn.

Over seven million people will have the opportunity to enjoy free cultural events during the Festival, which takes place between 21 June – 9 September 2012 as the finale of the Cultural Olympiad.

The Festival will feature leading artists including Leona Lewis, Toni Morrison and Mike Leigh, providing a summer of celebration for people across the UK.

Other events announced today include:

a special comedy season at the Hackney Empire;
a free light and fire spectacular by Les Commandos Percus on the shores of Lake Windermere;
an immersive theatre show for young Doctor Who fans by Punchdrunk; and
specially-commissioned film events from the British Film Institute.

Seb Coe, LOCOG Chairperson, said: "We always said that the culture programme would be part of the London 2012 experience.

"What you can see today is even more evidence that the London 2012 Festival programme for next year will showcase the incredible creative talent we have here in the UK."

"Millions will be able to get involved all across the UK, the vast majority for free; it will be a fitting finale for the Cultural Olympiad," he added.

London 2012

Namibian top athletes jet off to Germany for competitions

Namibia Sport — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:56:35 +0000

Namibian top athletes jet off to Germany for competitions Namibia Sport 20 June 2011 - 11:56pm

Four of Namibia's top athletes have left for Germany to compete in a series of German athletics events as part of the Vision 2016 programme.

Hitjiverue Kaanjuka and Globine Mayova, who will both run 100m and 200m; Tjipekapora Herunga (200m and 400m) and Daniel Nghipandulwa (800m and 1500m) left for Germany accompanied by team manager Agnes Samaria and coach Letu Hamhola.

According to Samaria the athletes have been invited to compete in six events in Germany. Depending on their performances, they could be invited to compete in more events.

"We introduced the idea to the Ministry and we have received great support from them," Samaria said at a courtesy call to Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture Kazenambo Kazenambo.

Under the programme Namibia's top athletes have been competing at the South African Yellow Pages series, where they gave commendable performances earlier this year. Herunga and Nghipandulwa set new Namibian records in the 400m and 800m respectively, while Namibia's athletes established eight personal best times.

The aim is to prepare Namibia's elite athletes for major international events like the All Africa Games and the Olympic Games.

None of them have qualified for the Olympic Games yet, although Herunga is very close. According to Samaria, her personal best and Namibian record time of 52,32 seconds is very close to the qualifying standard.

Besides Herunga, Mayova and Nghipandulwa have qualified for the All Africa Games while Kaanjuka is also close to the qualifying standard.

"We have to invest in our athletes to improve their performances. There was already a big improvement at the Yellow Pages and next year we expect even better results," Samaria said.

Minister Kazenambo called on the athletes to give their best and to be mindful of the privilege afforded to them.

"Our resources are always limited, so it is always a challenge for us to develop the means to manage our limited resources. Take your athletics seriously and be mindful of the fact that you are representing your country," he said.

At the press conference it was also announced that Protea Hotels also contributed to the athletes' well being, by offering them accommodation for training camps in Windhoek, while they also received accommodation in Durban during the Yellow Pages series.

Namibia

Onyali, Ogunkoya, Fasuba, Uti and Ugbisien named Nigerian Athletics Ambassadors

Sunny Oke Oluku — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:13:05 +0000

Onyali, Ogunkoya, Fasuba, Uti and Ugbisien named Nigerian Athletics Ambassadors Sunny Oke Oluku 20 June 2011 - 6:13pm

The trio of former African sprints queen, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, reigning African 400m record-holder, Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo, reigning African 100m record-holder, Olusoji Adetokunbo Fasuba and others have been listed as Ambassadors of Nigerian athletics during the All-Nigeria/Cross River Track & Field holding this week at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar.

Others named ambassadors include Los Angeles '84 Olympics 4x400m relay bronze medallists Moses Ugbisien and Sunday Uti.

According to the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba, the ex-international athletes have been chosen to act as ambassadors for the event as well as act as role models to the athletes.

Ogba stated that the athletes where choosen base on their past achievement when they where still in the game.

"We chose these athletes out of so many distinguished Nigerian athletes to serve as role models to the athletes who will be competing at the championships.

They will also serve as a source of inspiration to them', says Ogba adding that the athletes achievements should serve as motivation for those coming behind.

"Just look what the athletes have achieved on the track. Onyali has won virtually everything on the track. Even at the championships she has been one of the most decorated athletes. She won over 20 gold medals at the championships.

"Ogunkoya too has been the greatest 400m runner the African continent has ever seen. She was the number one ranked quarter-miler in the world in 1998 and she won two medals in African-record setting times at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta', reveals Ogba who believes Fasuba's achievement is still fresh in Nigerians' minds.

"He remains the first man in African championships history to have won the 100m gold three times consecutively. He is the African record holder in the 100m at 9.85. He is also a former All-Nigeria champion.

Ogba said the athletes chosen are the heroes and heroines of the sport and that Nigeria athletes of today should learn from these ex-internationals in terms of their athletic accomplishments and their behaviour off and on the track.

Toblow's praise

Meanwhile, Nigeria athletics Coach, Tobias Igwe aka 'Toblow' has commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for going against all odds in organizing championships with funds not coming as at when due.

The Coach, who described the President of the federation as a magician, said Ogba has revitalize Nigeria athletics, he said since Ogba came in as AFN president, Nigeria athletics has improved tremendously.

The Abia state coach said so far in Nigerian sports, no federation has organized competitions like the AFN, saying the just ended Golden League makes it the seventh major events in athletics this season.

He said that kudos should be given to Solomon Ogba who, despite the lack of funds from the National Sports Commission, made sure Nigeria athletes don't lack competitions which he says puts the athletes in good shape.

"Solomon Ogba is a magician. That is what he is because I have not seen any other sports federations in Nigeria today that has organized competitions like the AFN.

"Even when the NSC is not forth coming with funds for sporting programs, Ogba makes sure Nigeria athletics does not lack competitions.

"The Golden League makes it the seventh major event of the AFN this year and more events are still coming. We should really commend Ogba and the AFN for all these. The man doesn't even wait for the NSC to bring money before implementing the AFN's programs, so there is no other way to qualify Ogba but a magician in Nigeria.

"When you see someone that has passion for sports development, you will know immediately and Solomon is one of sure people in the country," he said.

On the expectations during the national trials in Calabar from the 23rd to 25 June, Toblow said Nigerians will see the best of athletics as all the foreign athletes will be competing to fight for a place in the Nigerian team.

Nigeria

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Okagbare, Osayomi goes head to head in Calabar

Sunny Oke Oluku — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:13:05 +0000

All Nigeria Championships 2011: Okagbare, Osayomi goes head to head in Calabar Sunny Oke Oluku 20 June 2011 - 6:13pm

Nigerian and African women's 100m champion, Blessing Okagbare has reiterated her desire to defend her national title when she stepped onto the track against former champion, Damola Osayomi at the 2011 All Nigeria Open Track and Field Championship scheduled for the U.J Eusene stadium in Calabar, Cross-River State from Thursday.

Okagbare said though Damola has won it before, it will not be a do or die affair as her target is the World championship in Daegu in Korea in August this year.

"I don't see anything spectacular about this because Damola has won it before, I am now the champion and I will not kill myself over it. It is not going to be a do or die affair, my target is to do well in the World Championships in Korea in August.

Okagbare who will be contesting for a place in the national trials will be running in the 100m, 4x100m and Long Jump but stated that Nigerians should expect the best from her when she competes in Calabar.

"I will be running the 100m, 4x100m and doing the Long Jump and Nigerians should expect the best from me as I will be doing all my events with the seriousness that always makes me win," she said.

It would be recalled that Blessing Okagbare, who was suppose to run against Osayomi during the IAAF Diamond League pulled out of the race which Nigerian have been expecting to take place since Osayomi ran a personal best time of 10.99 seconds this year while Okagbare did 11.08 also.

Meanwhile the sprint showdown promises to be exciting with the addition of United State born sprinter, Gloria Asumnu , who holds a PB of 11.03 (Clermont, Florida in May 2008) to the Nigerian fold.

Other new athletes in Calabar to compete at the National Championships for the first time include: Leslie Njoku, Stanley Azie and Okwuwa Okolie.

Nigeria

Calabar 2011

Ogba pledges better packages for Nigerian athletes at national trials

Sunny Oke Oluku — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:05:51 +0000

Ogba pledges better packages for Nigerian athletes at national trials Sunny Oke Oluku 9 June 2011 - 2:05pm

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, Chief Solomon Ogba has promised that Nigerian athletes coming for the 22nd Nigeria/Cross River/NNPC/ExxonMobil Track & Field Championship will get a boost as the federation is reviewing medal packages for them.

Chief Ogba in interview yesterday with Oke Oluku also revealed the details of the recently signed deal by the AFN and Cross Rivers government, the Golden League and preparations for the All Africa Games.

Excerpts:

Oluku: The Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Cross River state government just signed a 5 year deal in respect of the national trials; can you throw more light on the significance of the deal?

Ogba: Well, the deal is a five year partnership between the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and the Cross River State government; it has to do with the hosting of the national championship.

Before now it use to be called the Mobil Track and Field but with the coming in of the Cross River State government, it will now be known as the Nigeria/Cross River/NNPC/ExxonMobil Track Championship and we are going to run it for 5years.

For every year, they are to give us 50million naira to support us and they are of the view too that the event should become bigger as the year goes by.

Oluku: How will the athletes benefit from this deal?

Ogba: The athletes will benefit tremendously because we are going to increase the prize money because it is part of the deal. Mobil used to pay the athletes N50, 000 par gold medal which we think is too small.

The minimum reward for gold prize should not be less than $1000, so we are going to increase the prize money.

Also Calabar is a very friendly and hospitable destination and I think the athletes too will like to unwind there because the crime rate there is low and the environment for competition is friendly, particularly with the enthusiasm of the state government.

I think the athletes will love it especially those coming from outside the country.

We expect that better times will be returned in the championship because once the environment is conducive, everything is okay, everybody will be relax to run and better times will be made.

Oluku: The AFN has been consistent with its programs even when money hardly comes from the National Sports Commission, how has the federation been able to cope with all these?

Ogba: Well I have to look for the money. I tell a lot of people at this point that my name is at stake and the excuses of no money from the Sports Commission cannot really derail us at this point.

We need to run our programmes and once the programmes run consistently, its going to do two things.

The first is the building of confidence in the athletes, even for sponsors and the second one is the athletes know that there is something to look up to so they will train and look up to competitions and by doing that, the good times will starts coming in.

Oluku: Talking about the time, there seems to be an improvement on performance of Nigeria athletes this season. What will you say contributed to this trend?

Ogba: First we have a lot of competitions this year and we had to change our strategies. We technically did something differently, putting them through a lot of endurance in preparation and speed work.

We all know that athletics is science and sport generally is science and when you apply a little bit of science, you are likely going to get better results and that is what we are seeing, it is going to be better next year and as the years come by.

Oluku: During the Lagos leg of the Golden League in Lagos recently, the time put in by athletes dropped. What went wrong?

Ogba: It was because we had a break, we where suppose to do it weekly but we had a break due to the Presidential inauguration and of course you know, some athletes after doing very well they think they have arrived. And they might not have trained very well, but if we had done it the next week preceding Abuja leg, it would have been better

We are going to see what will happen in Warri, now they are saying their time were slow and they are all going back to the drawing board. Warri is going to be better, the times will be faster and the distance will be longer.

Oluku: The Golden League final will take place in Warri on the 15th June, what should Nigerians expect?

Ogba: First Warri has the best track in the country right now, it has a brand new fast track and fast track is athletes friendly. The athletes will love it because it will make them run faster.

Also, we all know that Warri is a sport loving city and we are likely going to find more crowd than anywhere we have been in the country, we are trying to see if we can bring some side attractions that will bring the crowd to the stadium.

Oluku: Calabar will be the next stop for the AFN for the National trials from 23 to 25 June, how prepared is the AFN?

Ogba: We are getting fully ready, we have a committee set up to put things in other, as you can see, am trying to tidy up the final list of athletes coming in from the USA.

We are having about 40 of them coming in. The only problem we have now is that the Calabar airport is closed, so we will be flying them to Uyo and go to Calabar by road but the roads from Uyo to Calabar are good.

I think we will be fine; we are going to have a better championship.

Oluku: The World Championships is drawing closer, what should Nigerians expect from the athletes?

Ogba: From what people are running in the world today, we will just make our presence felt.

We are in the process of rebuilding and we will try and get ourselves into most semi and finals in championships and what I know is that there is no way we will go to the championship and not come back with a medal.

Oluku: Any medals target for the All Africa Games?

Ogba: There is no specific target but our intention is to win the championship and to win, we are looking at 10 to 12 gold medals which I think is achievable based on the current form of our athletes right now.

If we get the support from the Sports Commission and the requisite training and programming, we should be able to win.

Oluku: The issue of drug use by athletes keep reoccurring, is there anything the AFN or the NSC is going to do in terms of testing the athletes before championships?

Ogba: If you test athletes before championships and they take something two days before championships, what will happen?

The issue is that we most pay attention to athlete's welfare; we must understand that the athletes need money to take care of themselves because most of them are bread winners of their family.

Now if they believe it is the only thing to do to get anything, they will want to remain because if they run and win 30, 000, it goes a long way in helping the family. If they are not in the shape to run and there is something you want to take, those are the issues.

It is not just to say don't take drugs. Yes, drug is not good because if they catch you, you are out and it will destroy the image of the country.

Oluku: What do you think should be done to cub this trend?

Ogba: We have the elite athletes program by the Sports Commission and it should come out with a definite program of our athletes, the program should be clear and states what they want to do.

The elite program ought to take care of our athlete's welfare; it should be an all-encompassing thing that will look into all the various needs of the athletes.

You see, I don't believe we take drugs in this country, they are abusing drugs because, you say you are taking drugs yet you have not broken the World record. They are just taking some cheap chemicals.

Government agencies like the NDLEA should go after those touts selling these things.

Nigeria

Namibia to send 17 to CAA Southern Region Senior Champs in Maputo

Namibia Sport — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:15:07 +0000

Namibia to send 17 to CAA Southern Region Senior Champs in Maputo Namibia Sport 7 June 2011 - 1:15pm

Athletics Namibia (AN) has announced a 17-member team that will represent Namibia at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Southern Region Senior Athletics Championships in Maputo, Mozambique on July 2-3, 2011.

The team is expected to start their training camp on 16 June under coaches Letu Hamhola and Icha Anderson.

Hamhola said that they were looking at making sure that most of the team qualifies for the All Africa Games.

"We selected the team with the hope that we get as many of them to qualify for the All Africa Games as possible because this will be their last chance to do that," Hamhola said.

The group includes Tjipekapora Herunga who will be running in the 200m, 400m and the relay.

Herunga recently set a new Namibian 400m record (46.62) during the South African Yellow Pages series.

Daniel Nghipandulwa who also set a new Namibian 800m record (1:46.62) at the South African Championships is also included in the team.

Herunga, Nghipandulwa and sprinter Globine Mayova (100m) are the only athletes to have qualified for the All Africa Games so far.

"As we are busy rebuilding the team, so we decided to select a team full of youngsters and we expect all of them to do well."

Included in the team are Merlyn Diamond (100, 200 and relay) and Dantago Gurirab (100, 200 and relay) who are based in Mauritius.

They are training at a High Performance Training Centre after they received bursaries from the International Olympic Council's development fund, Olympic Solidarity.

"We are preparing them thoroughly so that they do the best they can as we are looking at the championships as a dress rehearsal for the All Africa Games," Hamhola said.

The full team:

Cornel Britz; 100 and 4x100
Merilyn Diamond; 100, 200 and 4x100
Globine Mayova; 4x100m and waitlist 100m, 200m
Tjipekapora Herunga; 200m, 400m and 4x100m
Jeanette Kamati; Long Jump and 4x100m
Charlene Engelbrecht; Shot put and Discus
Corlia Kruger; heptathlon
Phillipus Paulus; 100m and 4x100m
Jesse Uri-khob; 200m and 4x100m
Dantago Gurirab; 100m, 200m and 4x100m
Hitch Kaanjuka; 4x100m, waitlist 100m and 200m
Kristof Shaanika; 1500m and 800m
Daniel Nghipandulwa; 800m
Hardus Maritz; 400m hurdlers
Strydom van der Wath; Javelin
Hans von Lieres; High Jump
Gregory Areseb; Long Jump

Namibia

Africans shine at Samsung Diamond League meeting in Eugene

ATAF Editor — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:14:08 +0000

Africans shine at Samsung Diamond League meeting in Eugene ATAF Editor 5 June 2011 - 12:14pm

Sudan's Abubaker Kaki 1:43.68 in the 800m, South Africa's Caster Semenya's first sub 2 minutes in the womens and Botswana's Amantle Montsho stunning win over the Americans highlighted Africans performances at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Eugene, Oregon yesterday.

World champion Caster Semenya making her debut on American soil, although running what seemed a tactically inept race that let the eventual winner get away unchallenged, came through in the home straight to earn second place behind a dominant Kenia Sinclair.

The 20-year-old South African managed to clock 1:58.88 - her first sub-two minute display of the season - behind Jamaica's IAAF VTB Bank Continental Cup silver medallist who roared to a world lead of 1:58.29. Janeth Jepkosgei who preceded Semenya as World champion, was third in 1:59.15.

Semenya unfazed that her tactics may have been wrong, said "(I'm) very happy with the race. The time is good. I'm very happy. Really good. Under two minutes, - that was the plan, under two minutes."

Her eyes on defending her World title, she added: "So yeah, I did what I wanted. Now I can train harder so I can run a fast time."

Reigning World 3000m Steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi making his season's debut again demonstrated the superiority he holds over fellow Kenyan Paul Koech with a solid victory.

Kemboi - as he has done so many times - powered away after winding the pace up at the bell to win in a time of 8:08.34 ahead of Koech who clocked 8:10.13 and Ethiopia's Gary Roba who posted a season's fastest of 8:11.34.

Other events

In the women's 100m, Amantle Montsho of Botswana with a 400m time of 50.59 easily beat off the challenges of US stars Debbie Dunn (51.37), Allyson Felix (51.41) and Sanya Richards-Ross (51.78).

There was also a World 800m lead from Abubaker Kaki Khamis who flew around his two laps in 1:43.68. His meet record left the USA's Khadevis Robinson and Boaz Lagat of Kenya well off the pace as they finished in 1:45.40 and 1:45.49.

Ethiopia's Gelete Burka (4:04.63) with a strong finish inflicted the first 1500m defeat of the summer on Bahrain's world leader Maryam Jamal (4:05.44) with Morgan Uceny of the USA third in 4:06.32.

Steve Mullings (Jamaica) won the men's 100m in a personal best and a meeting record of 9.80 ahead of American Michael Rodgers (9.85 PB) and Jamaican teammate Nesta Carter (9.92).

And Olympic Silver medallist Godfrey Mokoena from South Africa was second in the men's Long Jump with a windy 8.31 metres (+2.6 wind).

The next meeting of 14 Samsung Diamond League meets in 2011, the ExxonMobil Bislett Games, takes place on Thursday June 9 in Oslo.

Full results - Pre Classic 2011

100 Metres - Men                   Wind: +1.3 m/s

    1 Mullings , Steve                 JAM       9.80
    2 Rodgers , Mike                   USA       9.85
    3 Carter , Nesta                   JAM       9.92
    4 Patton , Darvis                  USA       9.94
    5 Frater , Michael                 JAM       9.94
    6 Gatlin , Justin                  USA       9.97
    7 Thompson , Richard          TRI      10.01
    8 Williams , Ivory                 USA      10.02

200 Metres - Men                    Wind: +1.1 m/s
                                                            
    1 Dix , Walter                     USA      20.19               
    2 Saidy Ndure , Jaysuma      NOR      20.26             
    3 Martina , Churandy            NED      20.39             
    4 Sorrillo , Rondel                TRI      20.51                   
    5 Carter , Xavier                  USA      20.55                   
    6 Callander , Emmanuel       TRI      20.67                   
    7 Kimmons , Trell                USA      20.71                   
    8 Dixon , Leroy                   USA      20.79                   

400 Metres - Men                                              
                                                            
    1 Taylor , Angelo                 USA      45.16             
    2 Wariner , Jeremy              USA      45.43              
    3 Borlée , Kévin                   BEL      45.51            
    4 Neville , David                  USA      45.70                   
    5 Bingham , Michael             GBR      45.74                   
    6 Jackson , Bershawn            USA      45.91                   
    7 Scott , Joshua                   USA      46.16                   
    8 Pistorius , Oscar                RSA      46.33                   

800 Metres - Men                                              

    1 Kaki , Abubaker                 SUD    1:43.68
    2 Robinson , Khadevis           USA    1:45.40
    3 Lalang , Boaz Kiplagat        KEN    1:45.49
    4 Kivuva , Jackson Mumbwa   KEN    1:45.82
    5 Wheating , Andrew             USA    1:45.95
    6 Renshaw , Lachlan             AUS    1:46.11
    7 Mulder , Tyler                   USA    1:46.39
    8 Symmonds , Nick               USA    1:46.78                   

One Mile - Men Race 1                                         

    1 Gregson , Ryan                   AUS    3:53.86
    2 Torrence , David                 USA    3:54.01
    3 Blankenship  , Ben               USA    3:54.10
    4 Yego , Alfred Kirwa              KEN    3:55.18
    5 Miller , Kyle                    USA    3:55.38
    6 Kemboi , Nicholas Kiptanui       KEN    3:56.19
    7 Jager , Evan                     USA    3:56.21
    8 Aman , Mohammed                  ETH    3:57.14
    9 Ali , Belal Mansoor              BRN    4:05.22
      Rankin , Jon                     CAY        DNF                   
      Stanford  , Travis               USA        DNF                   
      Gathimba , Gideon                KEN        DNS                   

One Mile - Men Race 2                                         
                                                            
    1 Keitany , Haron                  KEN    3:49.09              
    2 Kiplagat , Silas                 KEN    3:49.39                
    3 Kiprop , Asbel                   KEN    3:49.55                
    4 Gebremedhin , Mekonnen  ETH    3:49.70                   
    5 Ndiku , Caleb Mwangangi      KEN    3:49.77                   
    6 Komen , Daniel Kipchirchir     KEN    3:50.29                   
    7 Alamirew , Yenew                 ETH    3:50.43                   
    8 Moustaoui , Mohamed          MAR    3:50.67                   
    9 Brown , Russell                  USA    3:51.45                   
   10 Willis , Nicholas                NZL    3:51.95                   
   11 Gathimba , Gideon            KEN    3:53.76                   
   12 Lomong , Lopez              USA    3:53.85                   
      Wieczorek , Mark                 USA        DNF                   
      Kithii , Josphat Mitunga         KEN        DNF                   

Two Miles - Men                                               

    1 Lagat , Bernard                  USA    8:13.62
    2 Soi , Edwin Cheruiyot            KEN    8:14.10
    3 Koech , Isiah Kiplangat          KEN    8:14.16
    4 Bekele , Tariku                  ETH    8:15.40
    5 Tegenkamp , Matthew              USA    8:15.88
    6 Kipchoge , Eliud                 KEN    8:16.74
    7 Birmingham , Collis              AUS    8:17.91
    8 Bett , David Kiprotich           KEN    8:18.72
    9 Leer , Will                      USA    8:19.11
   10 Bumbalough , Andrew       USA    8:21.65
   11 Verzbickas , Lukas            LTU    8:29.46
      McNamara , Jordan             USA        DNF                   
      Haas , Stephen                 USA        DNF                   
      Milne , Taylor                   CAN        DNF                   

10,000 Metres - Men                                           

    1 Farah , Mohammed              GBR   26:46.57
    2 Merga , Imane                    ETH   26:48.35
    3 Kipkoech , Josphat Bett         KEN   26:48.99
    4 Tanui , Paul Kipngetich          KEN   26:50.63
    5 Tadese , Zersenay                ERI   26:51.09
    6 Sihine , Sileshi                     ETH   26:52.84
    7 Kisorio , Mathew Kipkoech      KEN   26:54.25
    8 Kiptoo , Mark Kosgey            KEN   26:54.64
    9 Komon , Leonard Patrick        KEN   26:55.29
   10 Kipsang , Geoffrey               KEN   27:06.35
   11 Masai , Moses Ndiema          KEN   27:10.05
   12 Rotich , Lucas Kimeli            KEN   27:12.24
   13 Cheruiyot , John Kemboi       KEN   27:22.09
   14 Kuma , Abera                     ETH   27:22.54
   15 Ebuya , Joseph                   KEN   27:28.20
   16 Kigen , Mike Kipruto             KEN   27:30.61
   17 Medhin , Teklemariam          ERI   27:37.21
   18 Abshero , Ayele                  ETH   27:48.84
   19 Masai , Dennis Chepkongin    KEN   27:51.92
   20 Salel , Daniel Lemashon          KEN   28:04.63
      Cragg , Alistair Ian             IRL        DNF                   
      Longosiwa , Thomas Pkemei        KEN        DNF                   
      Korir , Jacob                    KEN        DNF                   

30,000 Metres - Men                                           

    1 Mosop , Moses Cheruiyot          KEN  1:26:47.4
    2 Kirui , Abel                     KEN  1:30:00.1
    3 Macharinyang , Hosea Mwok        KEN  1:32:25.6
    4 Chirlee , Joseph                 KEN  1:34:12.7
    5 Ennani , Adil                    MAR  1:40:26.6
      Beyi , Worku                     ETH        DNF                   
      Kibet , Stephen Kipkosgei        KEN        DNF                   
      Kimurer , Joel Kemboi            KEN        DNF                   
      Nigusse , Ketema                 ETH        DNF                   

3000 Metres Steeplechase - Men                                
                                                           
    1 Kemboi , Ezekiel                 KEN    8:08.34                  
    2 Koech , Paul Kipsiele            KEN    8:10.13                
    3 Gari , Roba                      ETH    8:11.34             
    4 Ramolefi , Ruben                 RSA    8:24.95                   
    5 Huling , Daniel                  USA    8:25.95                   
    6 Alcorn , Kyle                    USA    8:26.88                   
    7 Nelson , William                 USA    8:28.67                   
    8 Bruce , Ben                      USA    8:37.27                   
    9 Slattery , Steve                 USA    8:50.95                   
   10 Abdi , Youcef                    AUS    8:52.32                   
      Scott , Derek                    USA        DNF                   
      Lagat , Haron                    KEN        DNF                   

110 Metres Hurdles - Men              Wind: +1.8 m/s
                                                            
    1 Oliver , David                   USA      12.94                  
    2 Liu , Xiang                      CHN      13.00                  
    3 Merritt , Aries                  USA      13.18                 
    4 Turner , Andrew               GBR      13.33                   
    5 Eaton , Ashton                 USA      13.35                   
    6 Wilson , Ryan                  USA      13.41                   
    7 Shi , Dongpeng                CHN      13.44                   
    8 Ash , Ronnie                    USA      13.49                   

High Jump - Men                                               
                                                            
    1 Spank , Raul                     GER       2.32                 
    2 Silnov , Andrey                  RUS       2.32               
    3 Williams , Jesse                 USA       2.32              
    4 Jonas , Dusty                    USA       2.29                   
    5 Barshim , Mutaz Essa             QAT       2.29                   
    6 Ukhov , Ivan                     RUS       2.29                   
    7 Ioannou , Kyriakos               CYP       2.26                   
    8 Thomas , Donald                  BAH       2.21                   

Long Jump - Men                                               
                                                                    
    1 Rutherford , Greg                GBR       8.32     +2.1
    2 Mokoena , Godfrey Khotso   RSA       8.31     +2.6
    3 Bayer , Sebastian                GER       8.03     +4.1
    4 Smith , Tyrone                   BER       8.00      +2.0
    5 Lapierre , Fabrice               AUS       7.94      +3.0
    6 Eaton , Ashton                   USA       7.93      +2.2
    7 Hicks , Jeremy                   USA       7.78      +1.1
      Saladino , Irving                PAN         NM                   

Shot Put - Men                                                

    1 Hoffa , Reese                   USA      21.65
    2 Armstrong , Dylan             CAN      21.60
    3 Cantwell , Christian           USA      21.59
    4 Mikhnevich , Andrei           BLR       21.17
    5 Majewski , Tomasz            POL      21.14
    6 Whiting , Ryan                  USA      21.11
    7 Taylor , Daniel                  USA      17.91

Discus Throw - Men                                            
                                                           
    1 Harting , Robert                GER      68.40                 
    2 Alekna , Virgilijus              LTU      67.19                
    3 Malachowski , Piotr            POL      65.95                  
    4 Kanter , Gerd                    EST      65.51                   
    5 Young , Jason                  USA      63.20                   
    6 Waltz , Ian                      USA      62.32                   
    7 Kövágó , Zoltán               HUN      61.67                   
    8 Malone , Casey                USA      60.37                   

100 Metres - Women                Wind: +2.0 m/s
                                                           
    1 Jeter , Carmelita                USA      10.70                 
    2 Myers , Marshevet              USA      10.86                 
    3 Stewart , Kerron                  JAM      10.87                
    4 Fraser - Price , Shelly-Ann    JAM      10.95                   
    5 Simpson , Sherone             JAM      11.00                   
    6 Anderson , Alexandria         USA      11.02                   
    7 Okagbare , Blessing            NGR      11.08                   
    8 Williams , Lauryn                USA      11.15                   

400 Metres - Women                                            

    1 Montsho , Amantle              BOT      50.59
    2 Dunn , Debbie                    USA      51.37
    3 Felix , Allyson                     USA      51.41
    4 Richards-Ross , Sanya         USA      51.78
    5 Hastings , Natasha              USA      51.85
    6 Williams , Shericka              JAM      52.16
    7 Firova , Tatyana                 RUS      52.27
    8 Ustalova , Kseniya              RUS      54.05

800 Metres - Women                                            
                                                            
    1 Sinclair , Kenia                      JAM    1:58.29                
    2 Semenya , Caster                  RSA    1:58.88               
    3 Busienei , Janeth Jepkosgei    KEN    1:59.15                 
    4 Johnson , Alysia                    USA    1:59.40                   
    5 Rusanova , Yuliya                  RUS    1:59.59                   
    6 Gall , Geena                         USA    1:59.76                   
    7 Wright , Phoebe                    USA    2:00.05                   
    8 Pierce , Anna                        USA    2:00.19                   
    9 Vessey , Maggie                    USA    2:00.39
   10 Simpson , Jemma                GBR    2:00.68
   11 Jelimo , Pamela                   KEN    2:09.12
      Moore , Erica                         USA        DNF                   

1500 Metres - Women                                           

    1 Burka , Gelete                     ETH    4:04.63
    2 Jamal , Maryam Yusuf          BRN    4:05.44
    3 Uceny , Morgan                   USA    4:06.32
    4 Fernández , Nuria                ESP    4:06.66
    5 Langat , Nancy Jebet            KEN    4:07.04
    6 Hamblin , Nikki                   NZL    4:07.14
    7 Clement Moser , Treniere     USA    4:07.57
    8 Bogale , Tizita                    ETH    4:08.25
    9 Hilali , Siham                     MAR    4:08.33
   10 Wurth-Thomas , Christin     USA    4:08.55
   11 Buckman , Zoe                   AUS    4:09.82
   12 Soboleva , Elena                RUS    4:10.34
   13 Follett , Katie                     USA    4:10.52
   14 Hall , Sara                        USA    4:15.58
      Vaughn , Sara                    USA        DNF                   

5000 Metres - Women                                           
                                                           
    1 Cheruiyot , Vivian Jepkemoi    KEN   14:33.96               
    2 Masai , Linet Chepkwemoi      KEN   14:35.44             
    3 Cherono , Mercy                    KEN   14:37.01              
    4 Kipyego , Sally                      KEN   14:39.71                   
    5 Korikwiang , Pauline              KEN   14:47.71                   
    6 Flanagan , Shalane               USA   14:49.68                   
    7 Ayalew , Wude                      ETH   14:59.71                   
    8 Chemtai , Esther                  KEN   15:00.08                   
    9 Goucher , Kara                     USA   15:11.47                   
   10 Chepkurui , Lineth               KEN   15:15.15                   
   11 Wright , Megan                   CAN   15:15.33                   
   12 Maloy , Elizabeth                 USA   15:40.20                   
   13 Wellings , Eloise                  AUS   15:41.49
   14 Muriuki , Margaret Wangari   KEN   15:48.22
   15 Begley , Amy                     USA   15:54.64
   16 Areson , Jackie                  USA   16:09.51
      Hinds , Korene                   JAM        DNF                   
      Zeferjahn , Tanya                USA        DNF                   
      Dibaba , Tirunesh                ETH        DNS                   

400 Metres Hurdles - Women                                    
                                                          
    1 Demus , Lashinda               USA      53.31                
    2 Spencer , Kaliese                JAM      53.45               
    3 Walker , Melaine                 JAM      53.56                 
    4 Hejnová , Zuzana                CZE      54.26                   
    5 Shakes-Drayton , Perri         GBR      55.36                   
    6 Odumosu , Muizat Ajoke      NGR      56.36                   
    7 Tosta , Sheena                   USA      57.42                   
    8 Lucas , Josanne                  TRI      57.76                   

Pole Vault - Women                                            
                                                            
    1 Rogowska , Anna               POL       4.68             
    2 Feofanova , Svetlana         RUS       4.58              
    3 Murer , Fabiana                 BRA       4.48              
    4 Janson , Lacy                    USA       4.38                   
    5 Hingst , Carolin                 GER       4.38                   
    5 Hutson , Kylie                   USA       4.38                   
    7 Holliday , Becky                USA       4.28                   
    8 Saxer , Mary                     USA       4.28                   

Triple Jump - Women                                           
                                                                            
    1 Saladuha , Olha                         UKR     14.98   +0.6
    2 Ufodiama , Blessing                    USA     14.06   +1.0
    3 Pyatykh , Anna                           RUS     13.98   +1.4
    4 Alekhina , Nadezhda                   RUS     13.94   +0.2
    5 Taranova-Potapova , Anastasiya  RUS     13.78   +1.9
    6 Walker-Welsch , Shakeema        USA     13.72    +3.0
    7 Smith , Toni                              USA     13.62    +1.5
    8 Kayukova , Ekaterina                  RUS    13.44    +1.7

Shot Put - Women                                              
                                                            
    1 Ostapchuk , Nadzeya              BLR     20.59                
    2 Camarena-Williams , Jillian     USA     19.76                
    3 Borel-Brown , Cleopatra          TRI      18.85              
    4 Avdeeva , Anna                     RUS     18.78                   
    5 Mikhnevich , Natallia              BLR      18.48                   
    6 Carter , Michelle                    USA      18.43                   
    7 Stevens-Walker , Sarah         USA      17.80                   

Javelin Throw - Women                                         
                                                           
    1 Obergföll , Christina           GER     65.48                 
    2 Abakumova , Maria            RUS     65.30                 
    3 Špotáková , Barbora          CZE      64.87                
    4 Ratej , Martina                  SLO     61.16                   
    5 Viljoen , Sunette                RSA     60.09                   
    6 Patterson , Kara                USA     58.39                   
    7 Yurkovich , Rachel             USA     56.39                   
    8 Palameika , Madara           LAT     54.98

[Samsung Diamond League]

Africa

Diamond Series

Bid process opens for Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020

ATAF Editor — Mon, 23 May 2011 21:54:58 +0000

Bid process opens for Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020 ATAF Editor 23 May 2011 - 10:54pm

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today launched the bid process for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in 2020. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been invited to submit the name of one city within their jurisdiction as an applicant to host the Games in a little under nine years’ time.

The NOCs have until 1 September 2011 to submit the name of an Applicant City, and these cities will then be required to submit their application files and guarantee letters to the IOC by 15 February 2012. The election of the Host City for the 2020 Olympic Games will take place on 7 September 2013 during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The key phases and dates of the procedure are as follows:

Pre-registration - For the first time, a number of prerequisite criteria for NOCs/ cities wishing to bid for the Olympic Games have been put in place.

By 29 July 2011	1) Submission of proposed dates if outside normal Olympic Games period (15 July - 31 August) 2) Submission of letter regarding WADA compliance 3) Submission of letter regarding CAS jurisdiction
By 29 August 2011	IOC to reply to NOCs regarding WADA compliance, CAS jurisdiction and the proposed dates

Phase I - Known as the Candidature Acceptance Procedure, this involves a thorough review by the IOC of each city’s potential to organise the 2020 Olympic Games. Cities will be asked to reply to a questionnaire. Their answers will be studied by the IOC in order to help the IOC Executive Board select the cities that will become Candidate Cities and therefore move on to Phase II.

1 September 2011	NOCs to inform the IOC of the name of an Applicant City
November 2011	IOC information seminar for 2020 Applicant Cities
15 February 2012	Submission of Application File and guarantee letters to the IOC
February - April 2012	Examination of replies by the IOC
May 2012	IOC Executive Board meeting to accept Candidate Cities for the 2020 Olympic Games

Phase II - Known as the Candidature Procedure. Candidate Cities will be requested to submit their Candidature File, which is an in-depth description of their Olympic project, and prepare for the visit by the IOC Evaluation Commission. The Evaluation Commission will make a detailed technical assessment of each candidature and publish a report at least one month before the election of the host city for IOC members to review.

27 July - 12 August 2012	Candidate Cities participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games Observers’ Programme
November 2012	London 2012 debrief in Rio de Janeiro
7 January 2013	Submission of the Candidature File to the IOC
June 2013	Report by the 2020 IOC Evaluation Commission
June 2013 (tbc)	Candidate City Briefing to IOC Members
7 September 2013	Election of the host city of the 2020 Olympic Games at the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires

World

LOC marks 100 days to Daegu World Championships

ATAF Editor — Mon, 23 May 2011 15:45:32 +0000

LOC marks 100 days to Daegu World Championships ATAF Editor 23 May 2011 - 4:45pm

The city of Daegu was abuzz with excitement as the Local Organising Committee and the host city hosted a series of promotional events to mark 100 days to the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011.

"With 100 days to go, we have entered the ‘final straight' of preparations for the IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011," said IAAF President Lamine Diack in a televised speech on Thursday May 19, 2011.

The President continued, "And while we must never forget that this part of the race is always the most challenging, I am certain that with energy, hard work and dedication we will successfully reach the finish line together in a victory for Daegu, Korea, and the sport of athletics."

The eventful day of celebrations began with a downtown Marathon relay along one of the 15km loops of the Championships Marathon Course, by dignitaries and athletics legends.

This was followed by a flag-hoisting ceremony of the IAAF Flag and the 212 Member Federation flags. Ambassadors and representatives of the 212 foreign embassies in Korea were invited to raise the flags of their respective countries. The full day of promotional events concluded with an extravagant music concert by some of Korea's top singers and a spectacular fireworks display.

Dignitaries who attended the promotional events included Sun-Kyu Park, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; LOC Co-Presidents Bum-Il Kim and Hae-Nyoung Cho; and IAAF Council Members Helmut Digel and Jung-Ki Park.

Digel, who was the chairman of the Evaluation Commission when the city of Daegu was bidding to host the Championships, reminisced about the challenges that Daegu faced against the likes of Barcelona, Brisbane and Moscow.

"But Daegu had the passion and energy to win a famous victory, and since then, has shown that it will do everything necessary to organise the best ever edition of the IAAF World Championships," said Digel.

"I am certain that, with the full support of the IAAF, the organising team will cross the finish line as champions."

LOC Co-President Bum-Il Kim, who is also Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, summed up the festive mood in the host city and confidence of the LOC: "We will deliver our promise of hosting the best-ever World Championships in the history of the IAAF."

Daegu 2011

Osayomi dashes to 10.99 PB in Sao Paulo; Zang-Milama continues to impress

Yomi Omogbeja — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:13:17 +0000

Osayomi dashes to 10.99 PB in Sao Paulo; Zang-Milama continues to impress Yomi Omogbeja 23 May 2011 - 3:13pm

Nigerian Damola Osayomi won the third successive race on her comeback in spectacular fashion at the "Grande Prêmio Internacional Caixa São Paulo", an Area Permit Meeting that is part of the 2011 Brazilian Athletics Tour yesterday.

Osayomi, 24, stormed to a personal best time of 10.99 secs (+1.8) at the 725m elevation of São Paulo becoming the fourth woman to run below 11 seconds in 2011 (American Carmelita Jeter is the world leader with 10.86).

After winning in Bethlehem and Uberlandia, Osayomi secured her third consecutive top spot on the podium and even went to the history of South American athletics, becoming the second woman to run below 11 seconds in the country area.

American Alexandria Anderson was second with a PB of 11.01 with her compatriot Mikele Barber third with a SB of 11.14, her best performance since 2007.

"I'm very happy, is the best time of my life. I was a little nervous, but I stayed focused the most. Yesterday I got to feel a little upset, but I thought I came here to race and I will not betray myself, and I'm doing this," said Osayomi.

"For the next competition I want to get even stronger. When I finish here I will go home and continue training for the National Trials," she added.

In other races, Briton Dwain Chambers clocked 10.01 (+2.0) European leading time of the season ahead of World junior champion Dexter Lee (Jamaica) second in 10.06 PB and Brazilian Nilson André, third with a personal best 10.18.

Olympic Long Jump champion and home star Maurren Higa Maggi won the women'a jump with excellent 6.89m (-0.2 and had also three identical 6.84m jumps).

US Indoor champion Janay DeLoach was second with 6.76m (+1.8, outdoor PB) and Brazil's Keila Costa was third with a SB of 6.67m (0.4). American Brianna Glenn was fourth with 6.65m (0.3).

Ethiopian Aman Wote achieved 3:39.11 to win the 1500m and Bahamian Trevor Barry cleared 2.27m in the men's high jump. Brazil won all relays, men with 38.77 and 3:06.64 and women with 43.21 and 3:30.59.

The 2011 Brazilian Athletics Tour will end in Rio de Janeiro, on May 26, 2011 with the "27º Grande Prêmio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo", an IAAF World Challenge meeting.

Complete Results - São Paulo 4th leg of Brazilian Tour

Zang-Milama impresses in Bondoufle

World indoor 60m medalist and African 100m silver medallist Ruddy Zang Milama of Gabon clocked 11.12 (+3.8) seconds in women 100m at the final Inter-Club Championships meet in Evry-Bondoufle, France on Sunday.

Nigeria

Gabon

Nigeria's Osayomi wins second comeback race in Uberlândia

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:48:00 +0000

Nigeria's Osayomi wins second comeback race in Uberlândia Yomi Omogbeja 19 May 2011 - 2:48pm

Nigerian Oludamola Osayomi, the reigning All-Africa Games sprint double champion, put away her recent troubles to win the women's 100m in 11.32 secs (+0.8) at the GP Caixa Sesi de Uberlândia - the 3rd leg of the Brazilian Tour in the mining town of Uberlândia last night.

After winning the 100m in 11.31 secs, on her comeback from a six-months ban for inadvertently using a banned stimulant in 2010, at the Bethlehem (Belém) Grand Prix last Sunday, Osayomi stormed to another win in Uberlandia, coming within two hundredths of the meet record (11.30) held by American Gloria Asumnu.

American Alexandria Anderson was second in 11:45 secs and Brazil's Ana Claudia Silva settled for the third position with 11.49 secs.

Osayomi was stripped of her 100m gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi after her B sample tested positive for a "banned substance" - methylhexanamine, which has only been recently added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.

Other races

Ethiopian Almaz Ayana won for the third straight time in Brazil with a victory in the women's 3000m steeple - chase in 9:49.42. Kenyan Purity Kirui, the world junior champion was second in 9:55:17 and Koren Jamaican Koren Hinds was third in 10:00:41 whilst Ethiopian favourite Mekdes Bekele settled for fourth place with 10:06:55.

Bernard Mbugua of Kenya won gold in the men's 3,000 m steeplechase, with 8:37:26 with compatriot Bisluke Kiplagat (5,000m champion in Bethlehem) second in 8:39:04. Brazilian musician, Hudson de Souza was third in 8:39:16.

A happy Mbugua said after the race "the time, considering that we are early in the season, was good".

Rosemary Whyte of Jamaica sets a meet record in winning the women's 400m in 51.47 and Croatian Ana Simic cleared 1.88m to win the women's High Jump.

In the men's race, Briton Dwain Chambers repeated the feat in Bethlehem after he won the 100m in solid 10.13 (+0.7) ahead of Jamaican Kimmari Roach (10.28) and Keston Bledman of Trinidad (10.31).

After the race, Chambers said: "I have found here proves more difficult than the other (Bethlehem), but the atmosphere for me here was better, less heat. "After all, I'm from London ..." he added, laughing.

Kibwe Johnson of the US won the Hammer with a fifth round throw of 80.09 m and became only the fourth American with 80+ throws and third in US all-time list.

Dilshod Nazarov of Tajikistan was second with 77.41. Cuban Yipsi Moreno achieved new meet record 72.89 in women's hammer.

After Fortaleza, Belém and Uberlandia, Brazilian Athletics Tour will continue on Sunday with the GP Box 22 Sao Paulo, the reopening of the stadium Icaro de Castro Melo, in Ibirapuera, in São Paulo.

The circuit will end on May 26, with the Brazil Grand Prix Athletics Meet / IAAF World Challenge 2011.

See Complete Results

Nigeria

Kenya's marathon star Wanjiru dies after mysterious fall from balcony

Leila Gichinga - Nairobi — Mon, 16 May 2011 21:20:11 +0000

Kenya's marathon star Wanjiru dies after mysterious fall from balcony Leila Gichinga… 16 May 2011 - 10:20pm

Kenyan Olympic marathon champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was killed when he jumped off the balcony of his home after a domestic dispute involving his wife and another woman, police in Kenya revealed today.

Police said they were trying to ascertain whether the 24-year-old - the first Kenyan to win the Olympic gold in the marathon at Beijing in 2008 - had deliberately killed himself by jumping off the balcony at his home in Nyahururu, a town in the Rift Valley, nearly 100 miles northwest of the capital Nairobi, yesterday.

Jaspher Ombati, the regional police chief for the area, said Wanjiru appeared to have suffered internal injuries after the fall and was confirmed dead by doctors at a nearby hospital.

"I can confirm that Wanjiru is dead. It is not yet clear whether it was a suicide or if he jumped out of rage, or what caused him to fall to the ground," Ombati told Reuters.

"He jumped from his first floor balcony to the ground. He was bleeding from the nose and the mouth, and may have suffered internal injuries."

Ombati said police were investigating a possible love triangle that could have been behind the death of Wanjiru, a former winner of the Chicago and London marathons.

Ombati said the athlete's wife Triza Njeri had come home to find him in bed with another woman, had locked the couple in the bedroom and ran outside.

Wanjiru then leapt from the balcony, he said.

Ombati said Njeri and Wanjiru's female companion are assisting police in investigating the death.

Last December, Wanjiru was charged in court with threatening to kill his wife and illegal possession of an AK-47 assault rifle.

Njeri later withdrew her accusation of attempted murder against him in court, saying the couple had reconciled.

He also suffered minor injuries from a car crash in January when he swerved to avoid an oncoming truck, hit a pot hole and rolled his car.

Wanjiru defied the heat of Beijing in 2008 to triumph in an Olympic record time.

As a youngster, Wanjiru moved to Japan in 2002 to attend high school after winning a cross country selection trial in Kenya.

Wanjiru had been due to run in the Virgin London Marathon last month - a race he had won in 2009 - but withdrew a few weeks before the event because of injury.

Kenya

Gebrselassie wins fourth BUPA Great Manchester Run

ATAF Editor — Mon, 16 May 2011 07:05:34 +0000

Gebrselassie wins fourth BUPA Great Manchester Run ATAF Editor 16 May 2011 - 8:05am

Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie clinches the BUPA Great Manchester Run win yesterday in 28 minutes and 10 seconds ahead of Briton Chris Thomson (28:21) and Ukraine's Sergiy Lebid (28:25).

Despite the rain and windy conditions, the 38-year-old "Emperor", with a fourth overall and third consecutive victory in the 10km road race, convincingly dismissed the challenge of young British pretender Chris Thompson with 2½km of their encounter remaining to win in 28 minutes and 10 seconds.

There was plenty of pre-race speculation that European Championships 10000m silver medallist Thompson could score a surprise win over Gebrselassie after running a personal best 27min 27.36sec, and for almost 8km it remained a possibility.

But at 7 ½km judgement time came with a bang when the world marathon record holder hit the front.

Gebrselassie, winding up the pace gradually, began to pull clear and the hard work he put in saw him reap just rewards when stretching 11 seconds ahead of Thompson at the line with the fast-finishing Lebid third in 28min 25sec.

"I held up well until he opened up that gap," said Thompson after what was an intriguing tussle with the world's greatest ever runner.

"He looked at me four or five times to see where I was and then grinned before going away."

Thompson, now based in the US and coached by Mark Rowland, added: "I knew by going with him from the start I might be sacrificing my run but it was the only thing I could do as I wanted to cover every surge.

"It was disconcerting to think he would back off and of course it never happened. If I had won, it would have been a dream come true.

"But I needed a quality race like this and it showed after my preparations in Oregon with Mark that I am in great shape."

Gebrselassie said: "I'd heard on coming here there was a new man in the race who could trouble me and he did that.

"I didn't expect the "boy" to be with me for so long and with the strong wind not helping, he made it a very hard race until I went clear."

Gebrselassie, his eyes now set on achieving the Olympic marathon qualifying standard in the summer, added: "I tell you he'll be a problem if I come back next year."

Momanyi defeated
Clitheroe was elated after pulling off a victory everyone dreamed she would achieve but realistically doubted given the strength of the overseas opposition.

But taking inspiration from her European Indoor 3000m gold medal achievement in March, a recent spell of altitude training in Font Romeu and a brilliant 4.25km road race win the previous weekend in Lucerne, she was totally motivated for this race and armed with a new and massive self belief.

The 37-year-old local Preston Harrier, who has been on the international scene for almost 15 years, produced her fantastic victory with a gun-to-tape success in the a la carte front running style renowned of world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe.

Never headed, Clitheroe gradually ground down her opponents, including two-time champion and course record holder Berhane Adere of Ethiopia.

The race was quickly reduced to a head-to-head confrontation between Clitheroe and pre-race favourite Grace Momanyi, though the tiny Kenyan later admitted that the biting wind was the breaking of her.

Indeed, after she and Clitheroe got clear around 8km, she found herself passed in the final kilometre by Christelle Daunay - France's multi-record distance running record holder, who beat Radcliffe for third place in the 2009 New York marathon - as she finished well in 31min 58sec with a struggling Momanyi third in 32min 05sec.

Clitheroe said: "I didn't expect to win and the race was a bit weird as I'm not used to racing and beating a great field they way I did."

The British 3000m steeplechase record holder added: "It's a huge stepping stone for the track season where hopefully I will qualify for the 5000m at the World Championships."

Selected Results

Men
1 H Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) 28:10
2 C Thompson (GB) 28:21
3 S Lebid (Ukraine) 28:25
4 C Mottram (Australia) 28:36
5 M Fagan (Ireland) 28:39
6 J Walsh (GB) 28:42
7 S Overall (GB) 28:49
8 J Mellor (GB) 28:50
9 A Ledwith (Ireland) 29:02
10 R McLeod (GB) 29:04

Women
1 H Clitheroe (GB) 31:45
2 C Daunay (France) 31:58
3 G Momanyi (Kenya) 32:04
4 S Moreira (Portugal) 32:11
5 A Incerti (Italy) 32:35
6 B Adere (Ethiopia) 33:07
7 K Wootton (GB) 33:14
8 H Whitmore (GB) 33:37
9 S Samuels (GB) 33:43
10 L Whittle (GB) 33:47

Wheelchairs

Men
1 D Weir (GB) 22:23
2 S Lawson (GB) 25:24
3 R Low (GB) 28:01
4 S Bloor (GB) 28:45
5 J Richards (GB) 38:57

Women
1 N Emmerson (GB) 31:50
2 C Martin (GB) 35:50
3 M Dawson Farrell (GB) 35:57
4 T Grey-Thompson (GB) 39:29
5 J Smethurst (GB) 47:59

See more Photos from the event

World

Ethiopia

Momanyi tracks Adere to Manchester for BUPA Great 10K run

Leila Gichinga - Nairobi — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:34:33 +0000

Momanyi tracks Adere to Manchester for BUPA Great 10K run Leila Gichinga… 9 May 2011 - 3:34pm

Kenyan Grace Momanyi will join an international field that include Ethiopian Berhane Adere, who will be chasing a third Manchester success, for the BUPA Great Manchester 10K race on Saturday May 15, 2011.

Momanyi will be bidding to add another prestigious British road racing title to her name after victories in the 2008 Bupa Great Yorkshire Run and last autumn's Bupa Great South Run.

The 29-year-old will also seek to deny the Ethiopian star who on her last appearance in Manchester posted a still intact national and course record of 31 minutes 7 seconds.

"I'm sure Grace, just as she did with her Bupa Great South Run victory in Portsmouth, will enjoy the a fast and virtually flat course suiting her front running style," said Peter Riley, the meeting's elite athletes' coordinator.

"She's already shown solid form this year, highlighted by her third place in the recent Lisbon half marathon, where she destroyed her personal best time by almost two minutes.

"That clearly shows there is plenty of strength in her legs and we know from her Commonwealth win in Delhi she has plenty of speed."

Top Europeans who have entered include Frenchwoman Christelle Daunay, who beat off the challenge of Paula Radcliffe for third place when the world marathon record holder last competed at the 2009 New York Marathon and Sara Moreira, Portugal's Europe's 5000m silver medallist.

The BBC Two televised event will also include Anna Incerti, the Italian who finished runner up in last summer's European marathon, with the possibility a couple of other names shortly being added to the field.

The withdrawal of Paula Radcliffe, recovering from a chest and throat infection, will leave European Indoor 3000m gold medallist Helen Clitheroe and teenager Charlotte Purdue, winner of last month's SPAR Great Ireland Run, to head the domestic challenge.

Both returned last week from a high altitude training camp and will be hoping the benefits will help them attain a podium finish.

World

World leads by Mathew Kisorio and Filomena Chepchirchir at BIG 25 Berlin

ATAF Editor — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:07:03 +0000

World leads by Mathew Kisorio and Filomena Chepchirchir at BIG 25 Berlin ATAF Editor 9 May 2011 - 2:07pm

The BIG 25 Berlin have confirmed its position as the world's leading 25K race. Despite the warm weather, world leads for the men and women were established at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

While a year ago both world records were broken at the BIG 25 Berlin this time Mathew Kisorio (Kenya) clocked 1:12:13, which is the third fastest time ever run at the distance.

The 21 year-old missed the world record of his fellow countryman Samuel Kosgei, who had finished with 1:11:50 in 2010, by just 23 seconds.

Women's winner Filomena Chepchirchir clocked 1:23:22, the fastest time so far in 2011. Adding other running events organisers of BERLIN RUNS registered 10,423 entries for the 31st edition of the BIG 25 Berlin.

"We have seen another great race with world-class times. Unfortunately it was a bit too warm for a world record. But therefore we had more spectators at the course than in the past," said Race Director Gerhard Janetzky.

"Today's event certainly is among the very best in the history of the BIG 25 Berlin."

In the men's race a group of Kenyan favourites was on course for a world record until the half marathon mark. It was only on the final three kilometres, when Mathew Kisorio was running alone, that he could not quite keep the pace.

"It is a fantastic event. Sadly it was too warm to break the world record," said the 21 year-old, who had impressed with a fourth place at the IAAF's World Cross Country Championships in March.

With his time of 1:12:13 he was well ahead of fellow Kenyans Levi Matebo (1:12:46), Eliud Kiptanui (1:12:59), Nathaniel Kipkosgei ( 1:14:00) and Onesmus Serem ( 1:14:05). Tujuba Beyu (Ethiopia/1: 14:50) and Japhet Kipkorir (Kenya/1:14:59) also finished inside 1:15, taking sixth and seventh places.

In the women's race Filomena Chepchirchir had been regarded as the favourite. And the 29 year-old Kenyan confirmed this, when she appeared to dominate the race.

Chepchirchir, who had won the BIG 25 Berlin in 2007 and had placed second the year after, clocked 1:23:22, which is the fourth fastest time ever in the history of the event and a personal best. She was well ahead of fellow Kenyans Diana Chepkemoi ( 1:26:14) and Christine Chepkemei ( 1:28:24).

World

Humado blames death of sports to collapse of National Sports Festival

ATAF Editor — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:12:57 +0000

Humado blames death of sports to collapse of National Sports Festival ATAF Editor 9 May 2011 - 11:12am

The Minister of Youth and Sports in Ghana, Clement Kofi Humado, has partly blamed the sinking level of Ghana sports to the collapse of the National Sports Festival.

Mr Humado said disappointing results in international competitions in recent times such as the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games can partially be rested on crumple of the previously held annual national event.

The event, now christened ‘National Unity Games', bounces back this year after a seven-year break, and will take place from 17-27 July at the University of Ghana Sports grounds under the theme, "Uniting the people through Sports."

Speaking at the formal launch of the Games, the Minister said the event has served the platform for the unearthing of talents, who have risen from national to international prominence in the various disciplines and its non-existence has greatly affected talent identification.

"The collapse of the National Sports Festival for the past seven years, partly explains why Ghana has of late not been faring well in international competitions," he said.

Some products of the National Sports Festival include Professor Francis Dodoo, Azumah Nelson, Margaret Simpson, Vida Nsiah, Vida Anim, Gifty Abankwa, Alice Anum, Emmanuel Tuffuor, Aziz Zakari, Rose Hart, Grace Bakari, Veronica Barwuah, Hanna Afriyie, Andrews Owusu and Leonard Myles-Mills amongst others.

Mr Humado commended the National Sports Authority (NSA) for the revival of the Games and also for the inclusion of Colts football into the disciplines.

The Minister noted that Colts football which has a large following in the country served as the nursing grounds for the likes of Abedi Pele, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan amongst others.

He was hopeful that the introduction of Colts football will produce more future stars for Ghana football, which has been on the low side in recent times.

Mr Humado therefore appealed to corporate bodies, individuals and private institutions to support the Ministry to meet the growing demand for sports excellence in the country.

About 5000 sportsmen and women from all over the country are expected to participate in disciplines such as Colts football, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Amateur Boxing, Chess and Disabled Sports.

The rest are Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate-do, Netball, Cycling, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Tennis and Weightlifting.

[Source: Ghana News Agency]

Ghana

Kenya sweep steeplechase, Ethiopian Alamirew shines in Doha - SDL

ATAF Editor — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:27:41 +0000

Kenya sweep steeplechase, Ethiopian Alamirew shines in Doha - SDL ATAF Editor 7 May 2011 - 9:27am

Milcah Chemos Cheiywa led a Kenyan 1-2-3 in the women's 3000m steeplechase, Ethiopia's Yenew Alamirew upsets Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge in the men's 3000m and South African pair checkmated American Bershawn Jackson at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Doha.

Cheiywa edged out Mercy Wanjiku Njoroge in a sprint finish after the final hurdle stopping the clock at 9:16.44 and 0.05 seconds ahead of Njoroge (9:16.94).

Lydia Jebet Rotich was third in 9:19.20 ahead of Ethiopians Sofia Assefa (9:25.08) and Birtukan Fente Alemu (9:38.25) in fourth and fifth respectively.

"The Diamond League is very important for me," Cheiywa commented after the race. "Last year I won the race and hopefully I can repeat this success. It is very important for my family and my country."

"My time is good at the beginning of the outdoor season, but I could have run faster today. The pacemakers were very fast and it prevented me from achieving a better result," she said.

Cheiywa's time in the event beat Ugandan Dorcus Inzikuru's 2005 meeting record of 9:28.50 by over 12 seconds.

Tight race

Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, the 2010 Diamond Trophy winner over 1500, made a winning start to his 2011 Race, winning over 800m in 1:44.74 after a tight race against Britain's Michael Rimmer.

Kiprop pulled away in the finishing straight but Rimmer held off another fast-finishing Kenyan, Alfred Yego, for second in 1:45.12. Yego, the 2007 world champion, clocked 1:45.17.

Young Nixon Chepseba, one of seven Kenyans in the field who triumphed in 3:31.84 over compatriot Silas Kiplagat, the fastest man of 2010, who held off Mekonnen Gebremedhin as the Ethiopian proved unable to take advantage of the rowdy Ethiopian support.

Gebremedhin clocked 3:32.28, 13 hundredths behind the young Kenyan.

Alamirew's show

But it was the 20-year-old Ethiopian Yenew Alamirew who stole the show blasting away from former world champion, Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya, 200m out with a string of runners behind him.

Roared on by the large Ethiopian contingent in the crowd, Alamirew stormed home in 7:27.26. It was a PB by 1.5s for the unheralded Alamirew as the next five also eclipsed their lifetime bests.

Kenyan Edwin Soi sneaked ahead of his fading compatriot Kipchoge for second in 7:27.55 with Kipchoge third 11 hundredths behind. Another Kenyan, Augustine Choge, also broke 7:30 in fourth, clocking 7:28.76.

SA double

Louis van Zyl confirmed his great early season form with a great 400m hurdles victory over Bershawn Jackson in 48.11, good enough to erase Samuel Matete's 12-year-old meeting record.

Cornel Jackson made it a South African one-two as he stole second 0.01s ahead the American with 48.43. Jackson, who won in Doha last year, fought back around the final bend against the fast-starting van Zyl but was outrun by the two South Africans down the home straight.

Van Zyl, who already leads the world this year with 47.66, had good reason to be satisfied with his victory on a blustery evening, while the American was philosophical in defeat, saying that it is only his second race of the year.

Selected Results:

Men's 400m hurdles:
1) LJ van Zyl (RSA) 48.11 (MR)
2) Cornel Fredericks (RSA) 48.43
3) Bershawn Jackson (USA) 48.44

Men's 800m
1) Asbel Kiprop (KEN) 1:44.74
2) Michael Rimmer (GBR) 1:45.12
3) Alfred Kirwa Yego (KEN) 1:45.17
4) Richard Kiplagat (KEN) 1:45.48

Women's 1500m
1) Anna Mishchenko (UKR) 4:03.00 WL
2) Irene Jelagat (KEN) 4:04.89
3) Siham Hilali (MAR) 4:05.18
4) Viola Kibiwot (KEN) 4:05.54
5) Gezahegne Kalkidan (ETH) 4:06.52

Women's 400m:
1) Allyson Felix (USA) 50.33
2) Amantle Montsho (BOT) 50.41
3) Patricia Hall (JAM) 51.74

Women's Long Jump
1) Funmi Jimoh (USA) 6.88m WL
2) Maurren Higa Maggi (BRA) 6.87m SB
3) Anna Nazarova (RUS) 6.77m

Men's 200m
1) Walter Dix (USA) 20.06 WL
2) Femi Ogunode (QAT) 20.30 NR
3) Jaysuma Saidy Ndure (NOR) 20.55

Women's 200m
1) LaShauntea Moore (USA) 22.83
2) Charonda Williams (USA) 22.95;
3) Patricia Hall (JAM) 23.16 PB
4) Blessing Okagbare (NGR) 23.19
5) Aleksandra Fedoriva (RUS) 23.31

Women's 100m hurdles
1) Kellie Wells (USA) 12.58 WL
2) Danielle Carruthers (USA) 12.64
3) Lolo Jones (USA) 12.67
4) Virginia Powell-Crawford (USA) 12.73 SB

Men's Triple Jump
1) Teddy Tamgho (FRA) 17.49m WL/MR
2) Leevan Sands (BAH) 17.09m SB
3) Alexis Copello (CUB) 17.05m

Men's 3000m
1) YenewAlamirew (ETH) 7:27.26 WL/PB
2) Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (KEN) 7:27.55 PB
3) Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 7:27.66 PB
4) Augustine Kiprono Choge (KEN) 7:28.76 PB
5) Vincent Kiprop Chepkok (KEN) 7:30.15 PB
6) Daniel Kipchirchir Komen (KEN) 7:31.41 PB
7) Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (UGA) 7:31.83
8) Tariku Bekele (ETH) 7:33.50 PB

Women's 3000m S/C
1) Milcah Chemos Cheiywa (KEN) 9:16.44 WL
2) Mercy Wanjiku Njoroge (KEN) 9:16.94 PB
3) Lydia Jebet Rotich (KEN) 9:19.20
4) Sofia Assefa (ETH) 9:25.08
5) Birtukan Fente Alemu (ETH) 9:38.29 PB

Men's 1500m
1) Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba (KEN) 3:31.84 WL
2) Silas Kiplagat (KEN) 3:32.15
3) Mekonnen Gebremedhin (ETH) 3:32.28
4) Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku (KEN) 3:33.05

Next stop for the 14 event Samsung Diamond League in 2011 is Shanghai, China on May 15.

[SDL Doha 2011 – Laurel International]

Diamond Series

WADA suspends Tunis laboratory’s accreditation from Anti-Doping analyses

Yomi Omogbeja — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:09:06 +0000

WADA suspends Tunis laboratory’s accreditation from Anti-Doping analyses Yomi Omogbeja 6 May 2011 - 8:09pm

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has suspended the accredited laboratory in Tunis, Tunisia from carrying out anti-doping analyses for six months.

The suspension takes effect from May 6, 2011.

During the suspension period, this laboratory will not be permitted to analyze anti-doping samples. The laboratory may appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of notice.

Pursuant to the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), WADA is responsible for accrediting and re-accrediting anti-doping laboratories, thereby ensuring that they maintain the highest quality standards.

This monitoring is conducted in conjunction with ISO assessment by independent national accreditation bodies that are full members of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

Whenever a laboratory does not meet ISL requirements, WADA may suspend the laboratory's accreditation.

WADA will re-evaluate the status of the laboratory at the end of the suspension period.

Kenyans intend to continue success story at BIG 25 Berlin

ATAF Editor — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:36:26 +0000

Kenyans intend to continue success story at BIG 25 Berlin ATAF Editor 6 May 2011 - 3:36pm

Half a dozen world records were broken at the BIG 25 Berlin so far. It was a year ago, when Germany's oldest big city road race had its greatest day regarding winning times.

Both 25K world records were smashed. It remains a unique achievement in road running that the men's and the women's marks were improved in one race.

While Kenya's Sammy Kosgei clocked 1:11:50 his fellow countrywoman Mary Keitany finished with the first sub 1:20 time ever (1:19:53).

When the 31st edition will be started this Sunday fast times can again be expected. Adding a 10K and a 5x5K relay event around 10,000 runners are expected to take part in the BIG 25 Berlin.

Kenyans have dominated the event in the past decade, winning both the men's and the women's titles for ten years in a row.

Once again they will be the favourites on Sunday. One of the main contenders is 33 year-old William Kipsang, who celebrated his biggest win so far in 2008.

The Kenyan took the Rotterdam Marathon with 2:05:49. While he also won the marathons in Amsterdam (2003) and Seoul (2005) he will race the 25 k distance for the first time on Sunday.

William Kipsang will be up against an even faster marathon runner from Kenya.

Eliud Kiptanui made an astonishing breakthrough when he won the Prague Marathon a year ago with a course record of 2:05:39. He recently finished fourth in the Rotterdam Marathon with 2:09:04, suffering of stomach problems during the race.

Tujuba Beyu is the most likely runner to spoil the Kenyan party in Berlin. The Ethiopian has been entered with a half marathon best of 59:43 minutes.

Additionally he took the Rome Ostia half marathon this year with 59:58. But another one who has shown great form this season comes from Kenya again: Mathew Kisorio was fourth at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in March. The 21 year-old then went on to take the Stramilano with 60:03.

The women's race will feature a former winner of the BIG 25 Berlin: Filomena Chepchirchir had taken the race in 2007 with 1:25:38.

A year later the Kenyan was second, although improving to 1:24:55. 29 year-old Filomena Chepchirchir showed fine form a couple of weeks ago. She won the Den Hague half marathon in a personal best of 69:06.

Her strongest opponents on Sunday will be fellow countrywomen: Eunice Kales, who was fourth a year ago in Berlin with 1:29:05, and Diana Chepkemoi. She has a half marathon personal best of 70:40 minutes.

World

Kenya

Over $7 Million and $100,000 World Record bonus for grabs in Daegu

Yomi Omogbeja — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:13:32 +0000

Over $7 Million and $100,000 World Record bonus for grabs in Daegu Yomi Omogbeja 4 May 2011 - 5:13pm

The IAAF has announced that any athlete who surpasses a World record at the IAAF World Championships will be awarded US$100,000 donated by IAAF Partners Toyota (for Women) and TDK (for Men).

The International Athletics body also comfirmed that 201 of the 212 IAAF Member Federations have declared their intention to participate at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea from August 27 - September 4, 2011.

The IAAF World Championships are the third biggest global sporting event after the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup, and will be the largest sports gathering on the planet in 2011.

As always there will be a huge prize purse on offer, with the IAAF paying a grand total of US$7,336,000, distributed as follows:

(Men's and Women's events; 1st to 8th places; all figures are in US$)

Individual

1st 60,000;
2nd 30,000;
3rd 20,000;
4th 15,000;
5th 10,000;
6th 6,000;
7th 5,000;
8th 4,000

Relays (per team)

1st 80,000;
2nd 40,000;
3rd 20,000;
4th 16,000;
5th 12,000;
6th 8,000;
7th 6,000;
8th 4,000

The IAAF World Marathon Cup which is incorporated into the IAAF World Championships offers an additional total prize purse of US$142,000 distributed as follows:

(Men's and Women's events; 1st to 6th places; all figures are in US$)

Teams

1st 20,000;
2nd 15,000;
3rd 12,000;
4th 10,000;
5th 8,000;
6th 6,000

Daegu 2011

Kenyans Kipsang and Chepchirchir set for BIG 25 Berlin

Yomi Omogbeja — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:35:11 +0000

Kenyans Kipsang and Chepchirchir set for BIG 25 Berlin Yomi Omogbeja 4 May 2011 - 1:35pm

The 31st edition of Germany's oldest major city road race, BIG 25 Berlin, should again produced very good times on Sunday May 8 after organisers confirmed the participation of two top Kenyan runners - William Kipsang and Filomena Chepchirchir.

Kipsang is the winner of the Rotterdam Marathon 2008 with 2:05:49. Whilst the 33-year-old will run his first 25K race, Chepchirchir has quite some experience at the distance.

In 2007 she won the BIG 25 Berlin in 1:25:38. One year later she improved to 1:24:55 but this time this was only good enough for second place.

The 29 year-old recently showed good form, when she took the Den Hague half marathon in 69:06. On Sunday she wants to be first again to cross the finish line inside the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

The BIG 25 Berlin road race will receive a unique award from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) shortly after the event.

After both world records were broken in the traditional 25K race through the German capital in 2010 AIMS board members decided during their recent meeting in Belgrade to honour this achievement.

"We are proud that AIMS honours our double world record. This marks the significance of the performances. For us it is also an additional motivation to further develop this traditional race," said Gerhard Janetzky, the Race Director of the BIG 25 Berlin.

Never before had two world records been broken in any road race. While Kenya's Sammy Kosgei clocked 1:11:50 his fellow countrywoman Mary Keitany finished with the first sub 1:20 time ever (1:19:53).

Organisers again expect a top field to compete while around 10,000 runners will take part in the mass races with distances of 25K, 10K and a 5x5K relay.

Kenya

Injury knocks Rudisha and Kaki out of Doha's Diamond League line-up

IAAF — Tue, 03 May 2011 16:09:22 +0000

Injury knocks Rudisha and Kaki out of Doha's Diamond League line-up IAAF 3 May 2011 - 5:09pm

Injury has forced Kenya's 800m World record-holder, David Rudisha, to withdraw from Friday's opening leg of the 2011 Samsung Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar.

Rudisha, the 2010 World Athlete of the year, is suffering from an injury to his left foot that prevented him from training over the past week, but the ailment is not considered serious.

A statement from Rudisha's management said:

"I am very disappointed not to be able to run at this meeting, where I have opened my summer racing season for the last four years," said Rudisha, who opened his season at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Melbourne on 3 March, clocking 1:43.88, the fastest in the world this season.

The Kenyan's physician described the injury as peritendinitis of the foot's flexor muscles of the left lower leg, but added that there is "No injury of the ankle, no stress reaction/fracture, and no cartilage injury."

Rudisha's injury setback is not expected to impact his scheduled race appearances later this month.

Kaki out

Double World Indoor champion Abubaker Kaki, one of Rudisha's chief rivals, has also pulled out of the 800m due to a small muscular injury.

A statement by Kaki's managment said:

"Kaki sustained a leg cramp while training which has revealed a small muscular injury. He has had an examination by a physio and has been told to take it very easy for the next week so the injury will not get any worse and has time to recover."

IAAF/Samsung Diamond League

Diamond Series

World Conference on Sport and the Environment ends in Doha

Yomi Omogbeja — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:44:27 +0000

World Conference on Sport and the Environment ends in Doha Yomi Omogbeja 2 May 2011 - 12:44pm

The 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment concluded today in Doha, Qatar, with the sports world renewing its commitment to the environment by framing a clear agenda for action.

The so-called Doha Declaration defined three focus areas in which to direct activities related to the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development in sport.

They include showcasing the contribution of the sports movement to sustainable development at next year's United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (2012 Rio +20 Earth Summit), engaging young people, and building and strengthening partnerships between the sports world and the UN, governments, local entities, NGOs, and others.

The Conference, taking place a year ahead of the 20th anniversary of the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, was attended by leading experts in the world of sustainable development in sport.

The three days of meetings were hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Qatar, in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

IOC President Jacques Rogge said: "Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and this weekend's Conference has made it clear for all to see just how far we have come since then.

"While we can be proud of our achievements, we have also learnt that there is no time for complacency. We owe it to future generations to continue to promote our green agenda and ensure environmental sustainability in sport, and I think we have taken a big step towards that with the Doha Declaration."

Over 650 delegates from National Olympic Committees, International Federations, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, governmental and non-governmental environmental organisations and educational institutions participated in the Conference, making it the biggest of its kind.

Participants discussed a range of environment-related topics, including ways to locally and globally implement the Olympic Movement's Agenda 21; how to make sports events more sustainable; how sport can help achieve Goal 7 (environmental sustainability) of the United Nations Development Programme's Millennium Development Goals; and the role of Olympians in promoting respect for the environment.

"I have been delighted with the quality of this conference and the outstanding contributions that have been made by the speakers and so many of the delegates," said Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee.

"For us in Qatar the theme of 'Playing for a Greener Future' is real and meaningful. It reflects the concrete commitments we have made in Qatar's 2030 Vision to deliver practical steps towards environmental sustainability.

"For Qatar and the Qatar Olympic Committee, we have been honoured to share with the whole sports and Olympic Movement our ‘QOC Code for Green Sport Venues'.

Our aim is to collaborate with other NOCs, in coordination with the IOC, to share our knowledge of creating environmentally friendly venue management."

THE DOHA DECLARATION

World

Okagbare, Egwero, Oke, Odumosu, Onyali bags Olympics scholarship

Motunde Smith - Abuja — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:20:24 +0000

Okagbare, Egwero, Oke, Odumosu, Onyali bags Olympics scholarship Motunde Smith … 21 April 2011 - 5:20pm

The Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, is leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring that Team Nigeria excel at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

A great milestone was achieved recently when the NOC secured nine London 2012 Olympics scholarships for deserving Nigerian athletes.

Besides the scholarships that run from May 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012, the athletes are also entitled to $1,000 monthly budget.

Leading the athletes are: Blessing Okagbare, Ajoke Muizat Odumosu, Tosin Oke, Egwero Ogho-Oghene and Comfort Onyali (Athletics). Usman Maryam and Zakari Hadiza (Weightlifting), Chika Chukwumerije (Taekwondo), and Jonathan Akinyemi (Canoeing).

In a letter signed by Olivier Niamkey, Section Manager, Athletes for Olympic Solidarity and addressed to the President of NOC, Engr Sani Ndanusa, it congratulated Nigeria for grabbing this rare gesture and hoped to see the beneficiaries of the scholarships flying Nigerian flag high at the London 2012 Olympics.

Secretary General of the NOC, Honorable Tunde Popoola while unfolding this cheery news said that it was a morale booster to Team Nigeria and a confirmation of the hard work of the Olympic body to ensuring that Nigerian athletes get what belongs to them.

"I'm excited with this package. It is a pointer to good things coming our way for the London 2012 Olympics. We are committed to the welfare of Nigerian athletes and will not stop at this.

"It is when the athletes are comfortable that they will post good results and win medals for the country. There is no going back to a goldmine in the Olympics," said Popoola.

Gebrselassie targets London 2012 after Vienna win

ATAF Editor — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:32:47 +0000

Gebrselassie targets London 2012 after Vienna win ATAF Editor 18 April 2011 - 1:32pm

After a convincing half marathon win at the 28th Vienna City Marathon, Ethiopian legend, Haile Gebrselassie, said he's looking forward to the London 2012 Olympics qualification.

The Ethiopian superstar, who turns 38 today, is back in normal life and proved this at the Vienna City Marathon. A good five months after he had originally announced his retirement but then decided to continue running he won the half marathon staged parallel to marathon with 60:18 minutes.

"For me running is like my daily nutrition. You could say I have breakfast, running, lunch, running, dinner," explained Haile Gebrselassie.

"I am now confident that I can run a good marathon in autumn. My time in Vienna is okay. It is not so easy to break one hour if you are running alone and without pacemakers," said the world marathon record holder (2:03:59), who confirmed that the London Olympic marathon in 2012 remains his major goal.

Talking about what happened in New York in November 2010, when he dropped out of the marathon and then announced the end of his career he described the situation as "a big disaster for me".

"When I came back to Ethiopia after it people said, what is the matter? You can not end your career like this. You have to finish on a high."

"From now on it will be all about preparing for the Olympics in 2012," said Haile Gebrselassie, who is of course well aware that the first major task will be qualification.

"This is a serious issue. There are a number of very strong runners in Ethiopia and it is obvious that the Olympic places will go to the three fastest."

When asked about what sort of times he thinks will be necessary to secure nomination Haile Gebrselassie answered: "2:06 will not be enough. I know how strong the others are so I think I will have to run 2:05 or 2:04 to get to London."

The two time Olympic 10,000 m champion further explained that he does not want to be in a position where there will be doubts about whether he will be selected for London or not.

In need of a very fast marathon time in autumn Berlin seems to be the most likely destination for his next marathon.

"Of course Berlin is the best place to go for a fast time. If it would be possible I would say right now: Yes, I will run in Berlin. But my manager has to speak with the Berlin organisers first. I do however expect that an announcement will be made very soon."

"It was an unbelievable event to have Haile in Vienna. I am refering to both, his performance as an athlete and his amazing, charming personality," said Wolfgang Konrad, the race director of the Vienna City Marathon.

Among a number of official appointments there was a reception from the President of Austria, Mr Heinz Fischer, two days before the race.

"Vienna is a very nice city and it has a wonderful race. I had not expected such a great atmosphere and such tremendous support along the course.

"Additionally it is a good course, where you can run fast. I would like to come back, may be for the marathon," said Haile Gebrselassie much to the delight of the Vienna organisers, who had even printed a 76 page high quality magazine about Haile's life. The title of the magazine is: 'Haile in Wien'

Selected Results - 2011 Vienna City Marathon

Full Marathon

Men
1. John Kiprotich (KEN) 2:08:29
2. Patrick Ivuti (KEN) 2:08:41
3. Evans Kiplagan (KEN) 2:09:22
4. Joseph Maregu (KEN) 2:10:29
5. Nicholas Chelimo (KEN) 2:10:48
6. Augustine Ronoh (KEN) 2:10:53
7. Paul Kirui (KEN) 2:11:54
8. Henryk Szost (POL) 2:12:45
9. Tsegaye Bekele (ETH) 2:12:57
10. Gezahgn-Eshetu Debel (ETH) 2:14:00
21. Roman Weger (AUT) 2:18:24

Women
1. Fatw Tola (ETH) 2:26:21
2. Ana-Dulce (POR) 2:26:30
3. Peninah Arusei (KEN) 2:27:17
4. Genet Getaneth (ETH) 2:28:08
5. Elza Kireyeva (RUS) 2:29:41
6. Olha Kalenarova-Ochal (UKR) 2:32:47
7. Elisabeth Chemweno (KEN) 2:32:55
8. Adriana Da-Silva (BRA) 2:33:48
9. Galina Egorova (RUS) 2:36:04
10. Emebet-Itaa Bedada (ETH) 2:36:29
14. Tanja Eberhart (AUT) 2:44:11

Leading Results "Catch me if you can" - Halfmarathon
1. Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) 1:00:18
2. Franz Pauker (AUT) 1:23:22
3. Roman Nahrgang (AUT) 1:29:43
4. Heidi Riepl (AUT) 1:36:54

Leading Results Anker Halfmarathon
Männer:
1. Brunner Rudi (ITA) 1:09:57
2. Wolfgang Wallner (AUT) 1:11:07
3. Karl Aumayr (AUT) 1:12:17

Frauen:
1. Cristina Fruzmuz (RUS) 1:15:38
2. Martha Hall (GBR) 1:24:13
3. Tina Parits (AUT) 1:24:50

Ethiopia

Kiprotich and Tola take surprise Vienna win, Gebrselassie cruises to 60:18

ATAF Editor — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:56:52 +0000

Kiprotich and Tola take surprise Vienna win, Gebrselassie cruises to 60:18 ATAF Editor 18 April 2011 - 10:56am

Kenya's John Kiprotich and Fate Tola from Ethiopia were the unexpected winners of the 28th Vienna City Marathon, whilst Haile Gebrselassie cruised to a half marathon time of 60:18.

Kiprotich, 22, improved his personal best by more than seven minutes to clock 2:08:29 in fine weather conditions.

Patrick Ivuti took second with 2:08:41 and Evans Kiplagat was third in 2:09:22. In fourth place Isaac Macharia (Kenya) also broke 2:10 with 2:09:43.

While Kenyans took the first eight places there was an Ethiopian winner in the women's race. 23 year-old Fate Tola drew away from Ana Dulce Felix in the closing stages of a thrilling race. She clocked a personal best of 2:26:21 while the Portugese finished with 2:26:30. Peninah Arusei (Kenya), who had long been in the lead, was third with 2:27:17.

For the first time in the history of the Vienna City Marathon five women clocked sub 2:30 times. Genet Getaneh (Ethiopia/2:28:08) was fourth and Elza Kireyeva (Russia/2:29:41) took fifth place.

'Catch me if you can'

Haile Gebrselassie won the half marathon with 60:18 minutes. The Ethiopian marathon world record-holder had been chasing the elite marathon runners, who had started two minutes earlier. Between 11 and 12K he already passed the leading group and was from then on running alone at the front.

"My time is okay. It is not so easy to break one hour if you are running alone and without pacemakers," said Haile Gebrselassie, who achieved an Austrian allcomer record. More than 300,000 spectators lined the streets.

Many had come to see the great Ethiopian running through their city. Fitting to the occasion organisers had put down a red carpet on the final 100 metres of the race, which finished at the Wiener Hofburg.

Kiprotich's pressure

In the first part of the men's race the favourites somehow did not quite adapt to the pace of the pacemakers. That caused the rabbits to be a couple of seconds in front of a big group again and again.

Even at the half way mark, which was reached in 63:53 minutes, they were three seconds ahead of those who should have been with them. Nonetheless the course record, which Abel Kirui (Kenya) had established three years ago with 2:07:38, was still within reach.

But somehow the experienced Kenyans like Patrick Ivuti, Nicholas Chelimo and Paul Kirui concentrated on a tactical race and were not interested in increasing the pace. By the 30K mark (1:31:31) the course record was more or less out of reach.

Additionally the two remaining pacemakers Nicholas Kiprono and Joseph Ngolepus dropped out. By 35 k the leading group of eight was reduced to four Kenyans: Patrick Ivuti, Evans Kiplagat, Joseph Maregu and John Kiprotich.

Maregu and Kiplagat could not keep up much longer and it was then John Kiprotich who applied pressure on Patrick Ivuti. With four kilometres to go the 22 year-old started to open a decisive gap.

"This was only my second marathon. If I had had more experience may be I would have taken the initiative earlier," said John Kiprotich, who has a half marathon PB of 59:23. In 2009 he had run 2:15:51 in Frankfurt. Now he improved by a big margin.

Tola's fate

The women's race developed completely different with debutant Peninah Arusei (Kenya) running quick right after the start.

She was soon all on her own and reached the half way point in 1:12:11. At 25 k (1:25:18) Arusei was still on time for a 2:24 finish and she was 1:14 minutes ahead of Ana Dulce Felix, Fate Tola and Genet Getaneh (Ethiopia).

Getaneh was the fastest in the field with a PB of 2:26:37. But before 30 k Peninah Arusei clearly began to slow and her advantage started melting quickly in the sun.

While Getaneh started faltering as well Felix, who had her own pacemaker in front of her, and Tola overtook Arusei at around 37 k. There was a tough fight for victory between Tola and Felix.

At the beginning of the final kilometre the young Ethiopian, who had come to Vienna with a personal best of 2:28:22, could break away. "After half way I knew that I would have a chance," said Fate Tola.

Adding all running events the 28th edition of the Vienna City Marathon had 32,542 entries. This is the second highest figure in the history of the event. 8,044 runners had entered the marathon.

Complete Results - Vienna City Marathon 2011

Kenya

Ethiopia

Kenyans sweep Virgin London Marathon 2011 titles

ATAF Editor — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:37:34 +0000

Kenyans sweep Virgin London Marathon 2011 titles ATAF Editor 17 April 2011 - 1:37pm

Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai and Mary Keitany produced two superb performances at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon today to win the men's and women's titles by impressive margins.

Mutai smashed the course record with a dominating performance that left the defending champion Tsegaye Kebede floundering in his wake, while Keitany won the women's race in a time only world record holder Paula Radcliffe has ever beaten on the London course.

A year ago, Mutai made a late surge to finish second, but this time he left little to chance, bursting away after 20 miles and powering home in the last six mile to win in 2:04:40, half a minute quicker than Sammy Wanjiru's record from 2009, making Mutai the fourth fastest man in history.

"Since I've come to run in London I have twice finished fourth and last year I was second," said the 26-year-old who also picked up a silver at the World Championships and was second in New York last November.

"This year I have come back and my dreams have come true. I so much wanted to win a major marathon and this time I did it."

Keitany also made a dramatic burst to leave defending champion Shobukhova and a clutch of highly talented rivals in her wake. The world half marathon record holder strode home alone in 2:19:19 to move alongside Irina Mikitenko as the equal fourth fastest woman in history.

After smashing the world half marathon record earlier this year, Keitany has announced herself on the marathon stage in superb style, improving her lifetime best by nearly 10 minutes.

Behind the winners, three-times London winner Martin Lel made a remarkable return to marathon running to take second in the men's race in a sprint finish ahead of 2010 Berlin champion Patrick Makau.

Both recorded 2:05:45, a time only 30 seconds outside his Lel's personal best. It was an astonishing performance from the former champion as he was only added to the entries three weeks ago and hasn't run a marathon since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

As for Kebede, he had to be satisfied with fifth in 2:07:48 after Mutai ground his dreams of a world record into the London dust.

Shobukhova rallied in the final stages of the women's race to take second in 2:20:15, while Edna Kiplagat added a place on the London podium to the New York title she won last year, taking third in 2:20:46.

David Weir made history in the wheelchair races, becoming the first man ever to win five men's titles.

The Briton powered home in 1:30:05 ahead of Swiss world record holder Heinz Frei, while American Amanda McGrory outsprinted Shelly Woods to regain the women's title she won two years ago in 1:46:31.

London Marathon 2011- Top 10 Results

Men

Mutai, Emmanuel (KEN) 02:04:40
Lel, Martin (KEN) 02:05:45
Makau, Patrick (KEN) 02:05:45
Dos Santos, Marlison Gomes (BRA) 02:06:34
Kebede, Tsegaye (ETH) 02:07:48
Gharib, Jaouad (MAR) 02:08:26
Bouramdane, Abderrahime (MAR) 02:08:42
Safronov, Dmitry (RUS) 02:09:35
Bat-Ochir, Serod (MGL) 02:11:35
Shelley, Mike (AUS) 02:11:38

Women

Keitany, Mary (KEN) 02:19:19
Shobukhova, Liliya (RUS) 02:20:15
Kiplagat, Edna (KEN) 02:20:46
Bekele, Bezunesh (ETH) 02:23:42
Baysa, Atsede (ETH) 02:23:50
Akaba, Yukiko (JPN) 02:24:09
Mikitenko, Irina (GER) 02:24:24
Augusto, Jessica (POR) 02:24:33
Kebede, Aberu (ETH) 02:24:34
Konovalova, Mariya (RUS) 02:25:18

[Virgin London Marathon]

Kenya

Kenyan Paul Kirui targets Abel Kirui's course record in Vienna

ATAF Editor — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:50:13 +0000

Kenyan Paul Kirui targets Abel Kirui's course record in Vienna ATAF Editor 14 April 2011 - 3:50pm

The 2011 Vienna City Marathon is set to boost the best ever men's field as Kenyan Paul Kirui goes for compatriot's Abel Kirui's course record, with strong Europeans - Baranovsky and Felix in tow.

Organisers of the 28th Vienna City Marathon tend to look a bit towards Iceland in these days. But since there are now signs of a new volcano eruption there is some relief.

"This year all the elite athletes are either already here or on their way and we expect everyone to be fit for the race," said Wolfgang Konrad, the Race Director of Austria's biggest and best quality road race.

In 2010, the Vienna City Marathon had suffered from the no fly zone over Europe and one of those who did not make it to the Austrian capital was Eliud Kiptanui. The Kenyan then went on to smash the course record in Prague with 2:05:39.

More than 32,000 runners have already entered the Vienna City Marathon, which also includes a half marathon. While Ethiopia's superstar Haile Gebrselassie will run the shorter event at today's press conference the focus was on the classic distance.

The Vienna City Marathon will be shown live on the internet on Sunday from 8:40 am (start at 8:58 am) at: http://www.vienna-marathon.com.

Gebrselassie's effect

Much was about Haile Gebrselassie in recent months in the Austrian press. And so far it was almost unnoticed that the marathon actually will see its best ever field regarding the depth of the elite athletes.

A dozen runners feature personal bests of sub 2:10. And six of them so far have run faster than 2:08. With such quality and a very promising weather forecast the course record of 2:07:38 is an obvious target.

Abel Kirui, the reigning World Marathon Champion, holds the current course record, which he established three years ago.

On Sunday Kirui could be followed by Kirui. Because Paul Kirui, who has no relationship with his fellow countryman, is the one with the fastest personal best in the field. He had clocked 2:06:44 when taking second place in Rotterdam.

Since then he has shown a string of fine performances, clocking sub 2:10 times in each year.

"But I also had a number of injury problems in recent years. That is why I never was able to break my personal best. But this time the built-up went very well," said 31 year-old Paul Kirui, who had won the gold medal at the World Half Marathon Championships in 2004.

While Isaac Macharia (PB: 2:07:16), Nicholas Chelimo ( 2:07:38), Patrick Ivuti ( 2:07:46) and Shadrack Kiplagat ( 2:07:53) are the other Kenyans in with sub 2:08 personal bests there is also one European among this group: Dimitry Baranovsky returns to the Vienna City Marathon.

The Ukrainian clocked his personal best of 2:07:15 when placing second in Fukuoka in 2006. Earlier in that year he had been third in Vienna with 2:10:36. Now the 31 year-old intends to do better, but it will get tough and probably he will need to run near to his personal best on Sunday.

Another European has done well in Vienna more recently and returns as well: Henryk Szost (Poland) was fourth a year ago with a personal best of 2:10:27.

Women's pack

"Although we have a very good women's field as well I would think it is more likely that we will see a men's course record than a women's record. This is also because the women's mark is quite a strong one," said Wolfgang Konrad.

It was Italy's Maura Viceconte, who established the course record of 2:23:47 back in 2000.

Two newcomers to the distance could be in with a surprise on Sunday: Kenya's Peninah Arusei will run her debut, while Portugal's Ana Dulce Felix intends to complete her first marathon as well.

Both have recently shown encouraging form. Peninah Arusei, who had three times won the Berlin 25 k race, took the Paris half marathon a month ago with 68:30 minutes.

It is interesting and could be a promising sign that in this race she beat Philes Ongori, who then went on to win her marathon debut in Rotterdam last Sunday with 2:24:20. Ana Dulce Felix hopes to develop into one of Europe's leading women marathon runners. She recently improved her half marathon best to 68:33, when she was second in Lisbon.

While Arusei and Felix will most probably head for a sub 2:25 time there are plenty of runners with good marathon experience in the elite field as well.

Five of them feature personal bests between 2:26 and 2:29: Genet Getaneh (Ethiopia/2:26:37), Elza Kireyeva (Russia/2:28:02), Diana Lobacevske (Lithuania/2:28:03), Fate Tola (Ethiopia/2:28:22) and Elisabeth Chemweno (Kenya/2:28:55).

"We hope to see an exciting women's race on Sunday," said Wolfgang Konrad.

Kenya

Semenya takes mid-distance double, focus on future - SA national championships day 2

SAPA — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:59:27 +0000

Semenya takes mid-distance double, focus on future - SA national championships day 2 SAPA 10 April 2011 - 6:59pm

World 800m champion, Caster Semenya says she has brushed off a controversial period in her career, and her personal life, and is focussed on a promising future after winning the 800m and 1500m double at the South African Athletics Championships in Durban on Sunday.

The 20-year-old spent almost a year on the sidelines during a gender dispute which ended in July when she was cleared by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to run against women.

"I'm not thinking about those things anymore. That's in the past and I'm looking to the future," Semenya said.

After making a successful return on the international circuit, which included a stunning victory in Milan in September in 1:58.16, she made her first appearance in two years on South Africa's domestic circuit in February.

While she may not have set any times similar to the 1:55.45 that won her the world title in Berlin in 2009, she said she was pleased with her progress.

Semenya's personal best is less than two seconds off the world 800m record, but she insisted she would not concern herself with that mark until she had reached more immediate goals in the next couple of seasons.

"I'm just concerned with winning the World Championships [in Daegu in August] and the Olympics next year [in London]," she said.

"If I win those titles I will take the next step and aim for the record." Semenya clocked 2:02.10 to comfortably win the two-lap race at the national championships after controlling the race from the start.

"I was a little disappointed with my 800m time. I felt that the pace was good, but my time on the first lap was not fast enough," she said.

"I expected to pass halfway in 58 seconds [she went through in 61] but I need to be patient if I want to run a good time."

A little over an hour later she secured the 1 500m title in a botched attempt to help training partner Violet Raseboya win the gold medal.

With Raseboya fading on the last lap, Semenya produced a stunning kick to win in 4:12.93, finishing less than a second ahead of Lebogang Phalula. Raseboya placed third.

"I just wanted to run a good race, but I did not run for me," Semenya said.

"I planned to help my training partner but unfortunately it did not work out." Semenya's coach, Michael Seme, said he had expected his charge to break two minutes in the 800m final, but the weather had not played its part.

He said she would be gunning for a fast time in her specialist event at the inter-provincial meeting in Bellville on April 16.

"It was too hot, but she will run faster than two minutes in Cape Town. She can run 1:58," Seme said.

Semenya's manager, Jukka Harkonen, said she would start her European campaign at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Dakar, Senegal, on May 28.

Selected Results

Men:

100m:
1 Simon Magakwe 10.31,
2 Roscoe Engel 10.41,
3 Leigh Julius 10.44

200m:
1 Wade van Niekerk 20.57,
2 Thuso Mpuang 20.62,
3 Roscoe Engel 20.94

400m:
1 Lebogang Moeng 45.57,
2 Willie de Beer 45.87,
3 Shane Victor 46.13

800m:
1 Samson Ngoepe 1:45.69,
2 Daniel Nghipandulwa 1:46.62,
3 Andre Olivier 1:46.84

1,500m:
1 Juan van Deventer 3:40.16,
2 Stephen Mokoka 3:40.65,
3 Pharson Magagane 3:40.80

3,000m steeplechase:
1 Ruben Ramolefi 8:14.06,
2 Edwin Molepo 8:29.74,
3 Dean Brummer 8:35.86

5,000m:
1 Tshamano Setone 13:31.87,
2 Gladwin Mzazi 13:32.26,
3 Sibusiso Nzima 13:51.75

10,000m:
1 Stephen Mokoka 28:06.65,
2 Sibusiso Nzima 28:31.51,
3 Lungisa Mdedelwa 28:45.47

110m hurdles:
1 Lehann Fourie 13.65,
2 Ruan de Vries 13.72,
3 Louw Smit 13.97

400m hurdles:
1 LJ van Zyl 47.73,
2 Cornel Fredericks 48.14,
3 Kurt Couto (MOZ) 50.12,
4 PC Beneke 50.42

20km walk:
1 Pierre-Louis de Villiers 1:29.26,
2 Lebogang Shange 1:29.49,
3 Wayne Snyman 1:30.59

High jump:
1 Hubert de Beer 2.15m,
2 JP van der Schyff 2.10m,
3 Ruaan Claasen 2.10m

Triple jump:
1 Thumelo Thagane 16.95m,
2 Aphelele Rasmeni 16.12m,
3 Charles le Roux 16.05m

Discus throw:
1 Victor Hogan 59.86m,
2 Dean Wattrus 54.60m,
3 Jaco Engelbrecht 54.15m

Javelin throw:
1 Robert Oosthuizen 81.18m,
2 Bernard Crous 76.21m,
3 Phil-Mar van Rensburg 74.65m

Women:

100m:
1 Carina Horn 11.68,
2 Cindy Stewart 11.85,
3 Cherese Jones 11.92

200m:
1 Carina Horn 23.47,
2 Sonja van der Merwe 23.82,
3 Cindy Peters 24.26

400m:
1 Tjipekapora Herunga (NAM) 52.70,
2 Rorisang Ramonnye 53.28,
3 Justine Palframan 53.35,
4 Anri Steyn 53.35

800m:
1 Caster Semenya 2:02.10,
2 Mapaseka Makhanya 2:04.52,
3 Mandie Brandt 2:05.21

1,500m:
1 Caster Semenya 4:12.93,
2 Lebogang Phalula 4:13.89,
3 Violet Raseboya 4:16.12

3,000m steeplechase:
1 Teboho Masehla 10:00.01,
2 Nolene Conrad 10:08.98,
3 Christine Kalmer 10:25.33

10,000m:
1 Portia Ngwenya 36:24.95,
2 Funeka Mlwakuhle 37:40.70,
3 Dladla Puseletso 38:03.59

100m hurdles:
1 Claudia Viljoen 13.65,
2 Erika Kleynhans 13.74,
3 Janet Lawless 13.78

400m hurdles:
1 Wenda Theron 56.47,
2 Mariska Meintjies 59.66,
3 Ana Fourie 59.73

20km walk:
1 Susan Swanepoel 1:49.48,
2 Michelle Hopkins 1:51.10,
3 Lesley van Buuren 1:53.13

High jump:
1 Anika Smit 1.85m,
2 Janette Siebert 1.75m,
2 Marcoleen Pretorius 1.75m

Discus throw:
1 Elizna Naude 58.69m,
2 Maryke Oberholzer 53.32m,
3 Simone Meyer 47.52m

Javelin throw:
1 Sunette Viljoen 58.70m,
2 Justine Robbeson 56.25m,
3 Gerlize de Klerk 50.66m

South Africa

Mokoena wins Long Jump, Pistorius falls short on Day 1 of the SA nationals in Durban

SAPA — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 17:59:34 +0000

Mokoena wins Long Jump, Pistorius falls short on Day 1 of the SA nationals in Durban SAPA 9 April 2011 - 6:59pm

Olympic Long Jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena held off a charge from the youth brigade to defend his title on the opening day of the South African Athletics Championships in Durban on Saturday.

Double amputee Oscar Pistorius, meanwhile, produced the biggest upset of the day when he failed to progress beyond the semifinals in the men's 400 metres sprint.

Pistorius, who hopes to qualify for this year's World Championships and next year's Olympic Games against able-bodied athletes, finished third in his first round heat in 48.28 to go through as an automatic qualifier.

He placed seventh in the first of two semifinals, however, crossing the line in 47.40, and was knocked out.

Lebogang Moeng stated his intentions ahead of the final by winning the faster of the two semifinals in a global championship B qualifying time of 45.47.

Mokoena, who leaped 8.29m to secure victory, albeit with a 3.2m following wind, said he had held back to reserve energy for the triple jump final on day two.

"I didn't push too hard because I've got the triple jump tomorrow," he said.

"It's a hell of a long season, with the World Championships only in August, but guys like Dwight Phillips [of the US] are getting ready and I need to get on with it."

World junior long jump champion, Luvo Manyonga, placed second with a best distance of 7.94m, and 17-year-old Rushwal Samaai secured bronze with a jump of 7.80m.

African hammer throw record holder Chris Harmse and distance runner Rene Kalmer both produced solid gold medal-winning performances on a day in which only a handful of finals were contested.

Harmse heaved a best effort of 71.70m to bag his 16th successive national title and stretch his South African record for the most gold medals in the same discipline.

The 37-year-old won by more than 10m from his closest competitor.

Kalmer, who was set to compete in a 10km road race in Cape Town on Sunday morning, dominated over 12-and-a-half laps to win by more than 20 seconds from Zintle Xiniwe in 15:42.21, falling less than eight seconds short of her personal best.

World 800m champion Caster Semenya and national 400m hurdles record holder LJ van Zyl probably put in the best performances in qualifying rounds.

Semenya stormed clear in her 800m heat before slamming on the brakes on the second lap and coasting through to win in 2:08.09 in the slower of the two qualifiers.

Defending champion Mapaseka Makhanya led the other heat, crossing the line in 2:07.66.

Van Zyl was the only athlete to dip under 50 seconds in the qualifying rounds of the one-lap hurdles, winning his heat in 49.98. Title holder Cornel Fredericks won the other heat in 50.88.

A group of four men set up a mouth watering men's 100m final by dipping under 10.30 seconds in the semifinals.

Defending champion Simon Magakwe led the way with the best qualifying time, clocking 10.18 in the last of three semifinal races to hold off Roscoe Engel by one hundredth of a second.

Magakwe's time was 0.04 seconds off his career best, while Engel's 10.19 clocking places him eighth on the South African all-time list.

Hannes Dreyer won the first heat in 10.27 and Leigh Julius took the second in 10.29, and a stellar final was placed on the cards in the shortest track event.

Olympic finalist Juan van Deventer ensured he made it through to the men's 1 500m final without any glitches after his shock defeat to long distance runner Stephen Mokoka at last year‘s championships.

Van Deventer ran from the front and finished in 3:37.95 in his first race of the season to win his heat by more than two seconds and reach the World Championships B qualifying standard.

Mokoka, who was set to defend his 1 500m and 10 000m titles on day two, won the other heat in 3:43.55.

Selected Results:

Men:
Pole vault:
1 Cheyne Rahme 5.10m,
2 Heinrich Smith 4.90m,
3 Riaan Botha 4.70m

Long jump:
1 Khotso Mokoena 8.29m,
2 Luvo Manyonga 7.94m,
3 Rushwal Samaai 7.80m

Shot put:
1 Roelie Potgieter 19.42m,
2 Orazio Cremona 18.35m,
3 Jaco Engelbrecht 18.32m

Hammer throw:
1 Chris Harmse 71.70m,
2 Johan Kruger 62.40m,
3 Miguel le Roux 57.33m

Women: 5 000m:
1 Rene Kalmer 15:42.21,
2 Zintle Xiniwe 16:04.17,
3 Lebo Phalula 16:08.74

Pole vault:
1 Iko Neshkoro (JAP) 3.80m,
2 Honorata Saar 3.60m,
3 Mariska Smit 3.50m,
4 Jeannie van Dyk 3.40m

Long jump:
1 Janice Josephs 6.38m,
2 Samantha Pretorius 6.19m,
3Celeste Rietels 6.17m

Shot put:
1 Veronica Abrahamse 15.19m,
2 Sonia Smuts 14.00m,
3 Sonnika Knoetze 13.51m

Hammer throw:
1 Annemie Smith 55.85m,
2 Magdalene Louw 51.19m,
3 Nanette Stapelberg 49.95m

© SAPA

South Africa

Chukwudike and Wisdom storm to double honours at D.K Olukoya U-18 Champs

Motunde Smith - Abuja — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:53:50 +0000

Chukwudike and Wisdom storm to double honours at D.K Olukoya U-18 Champs Motunde Smith … 8 April 2011 - 12:53pm

Harry Chukwudike and Isoken Wisdom were double winners at the maiden edition of Pastor Daniel Kolawole Olukoya National Under-18 Athletics Championships which ended on Thursday at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Lagos.

Chukwudike, from Abia State, took the Boys 100m Gold in 10.61 secs ahead of Rotimi Adebayo of Buka Tigers Track Club, Ijebu Ode (silver in 10.88 secs) and Mamus Emuobonivie (10.94) of Delta State (bronze in 10.94 secs).

Chukwudike completed his double yesterday by adding the 200m title in 21.97 secs ahead of Rotimi Adebayo of Buka Tiger (silver in 21.99 secs) and Demola Adeniji of Osheku Club (bronze in 22.19 secs)

Isoken Wisdom of Edo state won the Girls 100m in 11.94 secs with Busola Adewale (12.36 secs) and Bidemi Ogunlola (12.37 secs) settling for the silver and bronze medals respectively.

She later completed her double in the Girls 200m just like her male conterpart, clocking 24. 61 secs ahead Busola Adewale who finished second in 25.61 secs. Rukayat Aweda of Greater Tomorrow settled for the bronze medal.

Ololade Durojaiye took the Boys 400m gold in 48.78 secs ahead of Rivers State pair of Friday Baridora and Isa Umar.

Over 500 athletes from 16 states and 18 clubs participated in the two-day championships which had been postponed twice in the past weeks.

Full Results of the meet below:

Full Results - Pastor D.K. Olukoya Under -18 Athletics Championships 2011

Nigeria

Strong Kenyans to chase course record and give Gebrselassie a run in Vienna

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:57:13 +0000

Strong Kenyans to chase course record and give Gebrselassie a run in Vienna Yomi Omogbeja 7 April 2011 - 1:57pm

Kenyan athletes led by former IAAF World Half Marathon Champion, Paul Kirui have been signed for the 28th edition of the Vienna City Marathon on April 17 to target the 2:07:38 course record and give Haile Gebrselassie quite a run through the Austrian capital.

Ethiopia's superstar will be competing in the half marathon and run a unique chase race. The elite marathon runners will get a head start and it will be Haile's aim to catch them before he finishes his half marathon.

The time difference at the start has yet to be determined. More than 30,000 runners have already entered the various events of the Vienna City Marathon.

With a personal best of 2:06:44, Paul Kirui is one of the fastest runners ever entered into the Vienna City Marathon. The 31 year-old Kenyan had clocked this time back in 2006, when he was second at the Rotterdam Marathon.

But since then Paul Kirui's fastest marathon time in each year was not slower than 2:08:23. Additionally the average time of his 10 fastest marathons shows how consistent the Kenyan is in the marathon: it stands at 2:08:53.3 hours. He will be eager to improve this in Vienna.

Paul Kirui's greatest success so far came in the half marathon, when he took the gold medal at the World Championships in 2004. His biggest marathon win was in Amsterdam, where he clocked 2:07:52 in 2008.

Paul Kirui proved last year, that he still can run very fast in the marathon. In March he was third in Seoul with 2:07:35.

The Contenders

One of his strongest opponents will be Patrick Ivuti. The two-time silver medallist at the World Cross Country Championships (1999 and 2003) had run a very good marathon debut in Chicago, where he was second in 2005 with 2:07:46.

This still remains the personal best of the 32 year-old. But after a setback due to malaria in the winter of 2008 he came very close to this time, when he took the Prague Marathon in 2:07:48 in 2009.

An excellent half marathon runner with four results inside one hour and a personal best of 59:27 minutes Patrick Ivuti will be eager to finally further improve in the marathon. Last year he was unlucky because a series of injuries prevented him from competing.

Isaac Macharia is another experienced marathon runner who will compete in the Vienna City Marathon. Actually his best result so far came in a race with Haile Gebrselassie.

When the Ethiopian took the Dubai Marathon in 2008 with 2:04:53 the Kenyan was second in 2:07:16. The two time Nagano Marathon champion (2005 and 2009) also has a fine half marathon best of 60:48 minutes.

Joseph Ngeny and Wilson Kigen could also play a part when it comes to determining the Vienna City Marathon champion. Ngeny features a personal best of 2:08:10, which he ran when he finished third in Eindhoven in 2009, while Wilson Kigen's PB stands at 2:08:16. With this he was second in Frankfurt in 2008.

If Nicholas Chelimo should be able to improve his personal best of 2:07:38 on April 17 the Vienna City Marathon will definitely see a course record. By coincidence his PR exactly matches the course record of Kenya's reigning World Champion Abel Kirui, who had won the race in Vienna in 2008 and then took the gold at global stage a year later in Berlin.

In the past four years 28 year-old Nicholas Chelimo has clocked sub 2:10 times consistently. 2010 was his best year so far as a marathon runner.

First the Kenyan took the Nagano Marathon in 2:10:24, then he improved his personal best by eight seconds to those 2:07:38 with a second place in Eindhoven and finally he won the Honolulu Marathon in December ( 2:15:18).

Kenya

Nigeria dumps Loughborough, set to train in Surrey ahead of London 2012 Games

Yomi Omogbeja — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:24:07 +0000

Nigeria dumps Loughborough, set to train in Surrey ahead of London 2012 Games Yomi Omogbeja 6 April 2011 - 12:24pm

Top athletes from Nigeria will be based in Surrey for their preparations ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

An agreement has been signed between the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Surrey which will see athletes representing the African nation train and stay at key sports venues across the county including the University of Surrey's Surrey Sports Park and the Guildford Spectrum, in the lead up to the Games in just over a year's time.

The NOC and the National Sports Commission (NSC), which had initially selected Loughborough University - host of British and Japanese teams - as their training camp in the build-up to London 2012, had now for logistical reasons set to move to Surrey where the Antigua Olympic Team will also be based.

Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Popoola, said: "It's an excellent place with all modern facilities, world class coaches that will assist our coaches and athletes, and health and medical support to put them in tip-top form.

"Our number one priority is to ensure that Team Nigeria have the best possible preparation environment to be able to excel at the Games. That is why we want the best environment for them, and Surrey is ideal."

Denise Saliagopolous, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, the 2012 Games and Tourism, said: "It's fantastic news that another Olympic team is about to sign up to be based in Surrey.

"The county council has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to sell Surrey as the best place for Olympic teams to base themselves in the run-up to and during the 2012 Games."

Paul Blanchard, Surrey Sports Park Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to have agreed to host Nigeria here in Surrey and at Surrey Sports Park. We hope the Nigerian athletes will benefit from our world class sporting facilities and accommodation in preparing for London 2012."

Rob Price, Guildford Spectrum Marketing Manager, said: "We welcome all the Nigerian athletes, their coaching staff and supporters to Surrey and Guildford.

"The Nigerian team include world class athletes who were medal winners in Beijing and it is testament to the world class facilities we have here in Guildford and Surrey that they chose our venues."

[Additional information from the University of Surrey]

Nigeria

London 2012

London 2012 Athletes’ Village receives IOC's stamp of approval

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:47:43 +0000

London 2012 Athletes’ Village receives IOC's stamp of approval Yomi Omogbeja 31 March 2011 - 6:47pm

The progress of construction work on the London 2012 Olympics Athletes’ Village was today praised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the first residential plot was completed.

The IOC's tour of the Village was part of their biannual Coordination Commission visit, and coincided with the release of the new Olympic Park flythrough and latest aerial images.

IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald said, "The Olympic Village is at the very heart of the Games experience for thousands of athletes. It represents their home away from home and the place where they will prepare to achieve their Olympic dreams.

"It is therefore encouraging to see that excellent progress has been made in constructing this accommodation, especially knowing that this Village will become a vibrant new community in legacy.

"With its close proximity to the Olympic Park, the athletes will undoubtedly take full advantage of being able to walk to events and this will allow them to soak up the atmosphere and live their Olympic experience to the full."

The other 10 plots of the Village remain on track to be completed by the end of the year.

'New homes'

The Village lies adjacent to the Olympic Park and will accommodate the athletes and officials during the London 2012 Games. After the Games the Village will deliver new homes for east London.

These homes will be joined by new parks, open space and new education and healthcare facilities in one of the best-connected parts of the capital.

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive Dennis Hone added: "The IOC's praise for the Athletes' Village is extremely encouraging and with our first residential plot now completed, we are seeing beds for athletes and new homes for Londoners taking shape.

"The Village will create a new neighbourhood for east London with the best of city living all in one place where essential new housing will be joined by education and healthcare facilities, new parklands, public squares and open space.

"With construction work firmly on track, discussions to secure a long-term private investor in the Village are also making good progress with a shortlist of investors due to be selected in the coming weeks."

'Incredible'

LOCOG Chair Seb Coe said: "The Village is looking incredible and we're thrilled that the IOC is here to witness first-hand the progress that has been made.

"Whether competing at venues in the Park, or further afield there will be a place for all athletes here at the Village, giving them the opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the Games should they want to, wherever they are competing."

"London is going to be a special place to be in the summer of 2012 and athletes staying here will be at the heart of it all in the Athletes' Village which will be a vibrant community for those competing. And after the Games, that sense of community will remain as a new neighbourhood is created in east London, on the doorstep of the Olympic Park," he added.

A shortlist of private sector investors to acquire the ODA's interests in the Village is expected to be announced shortly for further detailed negotiations with a decision whether to proceed with a selected party then expected to be made in the Summer.

London 2012

London 2012 Olympic Stadium construction completed

ATAF Editor — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:17:21 +0000

London 2012 Olympic Stadium construction completed ATAF Editor 30 March 2011 - 4:17pm

The final piece of turf has been laid on the field of play in the Olympic Stadium, marking completion of construction of the venue for the London 2012 Games.

The Chairman of the IOC Athletes' Commission and Olympian Frank Fredericks, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman John Armitt, London 2012 chair Seb Coe and 400m hurdles 2012 hopeful Tasha Danvers laid the last piece of turf on the Olympic Stadium's field of play on Tuesday.

IOC Coordination Commission Chairman Denis Oswald and IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli also took part, alongside local schoolchildren from the ODA's Construction Crew.

Construction started on the Olympic Stadium just under three years ago in May 2008 and has been completed on time, under budget and with an exemplary safety record.

Over 240 UK businesses have won contracts for the construction of the Stadium and over 5250 people have worked on the project over the past three years.

Running track

The final surface of the running track will be laid later this year by LOCOG. This is to ensure it is protected during the programme of temporary overlay including work for ceremonies which may need cranes in the field of play and could damage the track.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: "The Olympic Stadium has been finished on time and under budget. To complete a complicated project such as this in less than three years is testament to the skill and professionalism of the UK construction industry.

"I would like to thank the Team Stadium consortium and all of the workers for their hard work and commitment. It is thanks to them that we can today celebrate this huge milestone for the London 2012 project and be proud of what can be achieved by UK plc."

The turf was grown in Scunthorpe from a special blend of perennial rye grass, smooth stalk meadow grass and fescue grass seeds. A total of 360 rolls of turf were required to cover the 9,000sq m area.

Chairman of the IOC Athletes' Commission and Olympian Frank Fredericks said: "Athletes that have spent a lifetime training for their Olympic dream deserve to be able to achieve it in the best possible conditions.

"I believe that those competing here in 2012 will not be disappointed. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the construction of London's Olympic Stadium for producing a truly outstanding sporting arena.

"When filled with fans at Games time, I am certain that the atmosphere will drive many of the competitors to achieve new personal bests and create unique moments of Olympic history."

The turf has been grown in Scunthorpe from a special blend of Perennial Rye Grass, Smooth Stalk Meadow Grass and Fescue Grass seeds. A total of 360 rolls of turf were required to cover the 9,000m² infield area.

Olympic Stadium facts & figures

80,000 capacity in Games mode and designed to be flexible enough to accommodate a number of different legacy requirements and capacities in legacy
The Stadium hosts the Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as the Athletics track and field events
The Stadium is visible across the Park from all approaches and will be the centre piece for the 2012 Games.
The total Stadium island site covers an area of 40 acres - it is compact and surrounded by water on three sides.
Five major new bridges will lead spectators into the site, provide spectacular views across the Park and London
The shape of the Stadium is an ellipse with a long axis of 315m and a short axis of 256m. It stands at 60m in height above the field of play and the perimeter is 860m
33 buildings on the Olympic Stadium site had been demolished and over 800,000 tonnes of soil was taken away before construction could begin - enough to fill the Royal Albert Hall nine times over
The Stadium will contain around 10,000 tonnes of steel - it will be the lightest Olympic Stadium to date

Construction facts and figures

Construction started in May 2008 and has been completed in just under three years.
The design and construction team has been led by Sir Robert McAlpine, with Populous as the Architect and Buro Happold as the designer of the civils, structural and building services work. Hyland Edgar Driver were the Landscape Architects. The Planning Consultant was Savilles Hepher Dixon.
Over 5250 people have worked on the project over the past three years with the operatives workforce peaking at 650
Over 240 businesses, from Devon to Scotland, have worked on the construction of the Stadium.
More than 5,000 reinforced concrete columns were installed into the ground, up to 20m deep, to provide the foundations to support the Stadium structure
112 steel rakers and 12,000 pre-cast concrete terracing units hold the spectator seating in place
The roof compression truss is made up of 28 steel sections, each one is 15m high by 30m long and weigh 85 tonne. A 1,350-tonne super lift crane was assembled in the field of play to lift them into place between January and July in 2009.
The cable net roof provides the correct conditions for athletes on the field of play and covering two-thirds of spectators. The roof is covered by 112 panels of white material, totalling 25,000 m². The fabric was fitted by a team of 23 expert abseilers.
To ensure that the sporting action is illuminated and to meet high definition TV standards, the Stadium is lit by 532 individual floodlights housed in 14 towers. The top of the towers reach 70m above the field of play.
Each of the 14 lighting tower weighs 34 tonnes and are 28m high. They were lifted into place by a 650 tonne crane over a period of 14 days in March 2010.
There will be around 700 rooms and spaces within the Stadium, including changing rooms and toilets. The fit-out work has required15,000sqm of plasterboard, 140,000 blocks to create walls, 11km of pipes for drainage, 338km of power cables plus 33km of other data systems cabling and 12km of ventilation ducts.
The turf for the field of play was grown in Scunthorpe and was laid over a period of three days in March 2011.
The track will be laid later this year to allow for LOCOG to carry out temporary overlay work which may need cranes and so could damage the track if it was laid now.
The black and white spectator seats were designed in the UK and manufactured in a factory in Luton. They were fitted between May and December 2010.
The toilets for spectators are spread out across 32 separate buildings on the podium level and are all now functional.

London 2012

Njoku retains Splash FM/Integrity Marathon title, Sherubutu wins in Ibadan

ATAF Editor — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:41:48 +0000

Njoku retains Splash FM/Integrity Marathon title, Sherubutu wins in Ibadan ATAF Editor 28 March 2011 - 1:41pm

Genevieve Njoku has retained for third time the women's race crown at the 3rd Splash FM/ICPC Integrity Marathon Race in Ibadan, Nigeria winning the 42km race in 3 hours, 30 minutes and 43 seconds.

In the men's race, Philibus Sherubutu from Nasarawa State, competing for the first time, emerged as the winner, finishing the race in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 26 seconds.

Njoku, a mother of four, got N400,000 (about £1,600) and Sherubutu received N600,000 (abut £2,400) for reaching the finishing line ahead of 598 others.

The race, which started at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, went through Ring Road, Iyaganku GRA, Aleshinloye, Eleyele, Sango to the University of Ibadan.

From the University of Ibadan, the runners proceeded to Ojoo, Iwo Road, Gate, Bere , Molete, Challenge and then back to the stadium.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Njoku - an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayelsa State, failed to meet the 3:21:11 time recorded in the race in 2010.

Speaking with NAN, the 27-year-old woman flayed the disparity in prize money between the winner of the men's race and that of the women's.

Njoku said that since it was the same distance covered by the men and women, the prize money should be equal.

"The organisers have to do something about the prize money for the race. We ran the same distance, men and women, and so should have the same take home,'' she said.

NAN

Nigeria

159 Member Federations sign-up for 2011 World Athletics Day

ATAF Editor — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:51:23 +0000

159 Member Federations sign-up for 2011 World Athletics Day ATAF Editor 25 March 2011 - 1:51pm

About 159 of the IAAF's 212 Member Federations have entered to take part in the 2011 edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day.

Now in its 16th year the IAAF World Athletics Day, the sport's annual worldwide festival of youth is one of the busiest programmes of competitions in the Athletics calendar.

With the addition of these two new categories, the World Athletics Day has become a complete and important event which annually promotes our sport around the world.

The goal of this year's edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day is to firmly establish an important link between the youth, our sport, and environmental conservation.

The IAAF World Athletics Day 2011 will be held in May, preferably the weekend of Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 May.

Click here to read full details about the 2011 edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day.

© IAAF 2011

World

159 Member Federations sign-up for 2011 World Athletics Day

IAAF — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 12:41:36 +0000

159 Member Federations sign-up for 2011 World Athletics Day IAAF 25 March 2011 - 1:41pm

About 159 of the IAAF's 212 Member Federations have entered to take part in the 2011 edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day.

Now in its 16th year the IAAF World Athletics Day, the sport's annual worldwide festival of youth is one of the busiest programmes of competitions in the Athletics calendar.

The IAAF World Athletics Day when it began in 1996 was exclusively planned for youngsters who were members of clubs affiliated to IAAF Member Federations, but in recent years the scope of the project has broadened to include the participation of school children in individual and team competitions. With the addition of these two new categories, the World Athletics Day has become a complete and important event which annually promotes our sport around the world.

The goal of this year's edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day is to firmly establish an important link between the youth, our sport, and environmental conservation.

The IAAF World Athletics Day 2011 will be held in May, preferably the weekend of Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 May.

Click here to read full details about the 2011 edition of the IAAF World Athletics Day

World

Nigerian Minister reassures on country preparations for All African Games - Maputo 2011

Motunde Smith - Abuja — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:46:45 +0000

Nigerian Minister reassures on country preparations for All African Games - Maputo 2011 Motunde Smith … 16 March 2011 - 11:46am

Nigeria's Sports Minister, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has reassured the country that the preparations for the 10th All-Africa Games to be held in Maputo, Mozambique from September 3 - 18, 2011 is on the right track.

Prof. Adedoja, who is also the National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that Nigerians should be rest assured that the Commission was preparing Team Nigeria adequately for the games.

"Preparations for the All-Africa Games (AAG) is an on-going exercise. It is continuous and camping of athletes is just one aspect of it," said Adedoja.

"So, if we don't have all athletes in camp for the games at the moment, Nigerians should not be alarmed. We are really preparing.

"Camping is only an aspect of preparations, there are other very important aspects, such as the exposure of athletes to various competitions both home and abroad.

"This helps to keep them busy through competitions, not just being kept in camps. The point is that our athletes are currently busy in many competitions across the world.

"For example, our paralympic athletes are in Dubai for a competition and they have been doing well and setting new records."

"This, I can confidently inform, is part of their preparations not only for the AAG but the 2012 Olympics in London," he added.

Adedoja also noted that various sports federations whose athletes would be representing Nigeria in Mozambique had been staging various local competitions while also sending them to international competitions.

He said: "Sports federations like volleyball, swimming, chess, cricket, special sports, football, athletics, boxing and others, have been involving their athletes in various local and international competitions home and abroad.

"These are all part of the athletes' preparations and they give them good exposure. So, we are not just relying on keeping the athletes in camps.

"Camping cannot be more relevant than the exposure they get from international competitions."

Nigeria is set to participate in the games with about 800 athletes and officials in 24 sports.

[Additional reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)]

Nigeria

Maputo 2011

Namibia: Herunga beaten by Semenya; Kaanjuka, Nghipandulwa and Maritz on podium in Cape Town

Namibia Sport — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:10:51 +0000

Namibia: Herunga beaten by Semenya; Kaanjuka, Nghipandulwa and Maritz on podium in Cape Town Namibia Sport 11 March 2011 - 2:10pm

Namibian athlete Tjipekapora Herunga finished second to South African Caster Semenya in the 400m at the third Yellow Pages meeting in Bellville, South Africa on Thursday.

Semenya, who is preparing to defend her 800m world title in South Korea later this year, sprinted to the finish in 54.03 seconds. Herunga finished in 54.40, a time that is way off her Namibian record of 52.46 seconds.

At the first Yellow Pages meeting in Potchefstroom, Herunga finished second, but won gold at the second meeting in Pretoria with a time of 53.93 seconds.

Another Namibian sprinter, Hitjevirue Kaanjuka also finished second in the 100m. South African Roscoe Engel finished first with a time of 10.46 seconds while Kaanjuka crossed the finish line in 10.57 seconds.

Kaanjuka won the gold medal at the second meeting in Pretoria ahead of Engel who finished second on that occasion.

Daniel Nghipandulwa finished third in the 800m with a time of 1:49.99 behind Samson Ngoepe (1:49.59) and Windy Jonas (1:49.92).

Nghipandulwa's time was off the pace of his personal best of 1:47.95, which he got at the Botswana Senior Championships last year.

Hardus Maritz won his first medal in this year's series after he finished third in the 400m hurdles in 52.87 seconds. He was behind Cornel Fredericks (49.33) and PC Beneke (52.27) both from South Africa.

After winning the 400m, Semenya said that she was ready to start competing in her specialist event, the 800m.

"It's what I'm training for so I'm just going to train hard so I can retain my title. I think I'm good enough to retain my title," Semenya said after her race.

She also said that she was still recovering from the back injury that stopped her from competing at the Commonwealth Games in India last October.

"I'm trying to heal my injury because I've not yet healed," she said.

Namibia

Caster Semenya wins on 400m debut in Bellville

SAPA — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:56:57 +0000

Caster Semenya wins on 400m debut in Bellville SAPA 11 March 2011 - 1:56pm

South African World 800m champion, Caster Semenya, eased her way to victory in the women's 400m race at the third and final Yellow Pages Series meeting in Bellville, Cape Town yesterday.

Semenya, who is set to defend her global title in Daegu, South Korea in August, shook off a niggling back injury to clock a modest 54.03 seconds for victory.

She finished well clear of Namibian Tjipekapora Herunga who placed second in 54.40.

The 20-year-old was initially expected to compete over 3 000m, but the organisers opted for a women's 5 000m race instead, and Semenya decided on the eve of the event to compete in the one-lap sprint.

She said she would return to her specialist event at the South African Athletics Championships in Durban in April.

"I'm working on my speed at the moment, so that's why I changed to the shorter 400m this week," Semenya said.

"I'm ready for SA nationals in the 800m, because I'm able to do times around 54 seconds for 400m. It's important I keep working on my speed."

Mokoena upbeat despite loss

World Championship and Olympic long jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena took it in his stride after a shock defeat to world junior champion Luvo Manyonga.

Mokoena, who recently recovered from ankle and hamstring injuries that kept him out of last year's Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, produced a best distance of 7.97m in his first competition of the season, with Manyonga leaping exactly 8m to bag the win.

"It feels good to be back jumping again after a year of sitting at home nursing all my injuries, Mokoena said.

"It's especially good to be jumping in front of the home crowd and to feel the rush of competition after such a long time."

Xiniwe's unexpected triumph

Zintle Xiniwe won a fast-paced women's 5 000m race in a quality field that included the likes of Rene Kalmer and Irvette Van Blerk.

Xiniwe said she had not expected to come out on top as her training had been focussed on the road.

The 24-year-old, a former national champion at the distance, won in 15:53.53, improving her personal best by almost five seconds. Violet Raseboya was second in 15:58.74 and Kalmer took third in 16:01.33.

"I wasn't prepared for track and I was just taking it easy, but my body felt good and you have to listen to it and just go for it, and I did that," Xiniwe said.

Kalmer, the pre-race favourite, had mixed feelings about her performance.

"I'm very happy with my time but disappointed to only come third," Kalmer said.

Kalmer, who confirmed she had turned her focus away from the track to concentrate on the marathon distance, said the race formed part of a tough training schedule.

"I'm on a marathon programme at the moment so this was just a bit of speed training," Kalmer said.

Kalmer was set to represent South Africa next week at the World Cross Country Championships in Punta Umbria, Spain.

"My main focus at the moment is the Prague Marathon in May, so I'm using the cross country to get stronger and the track to improve my speed," she said.

In the last race of the evening, national steeplechase record holder Ruben Ramolefe became the first South African in five years to break the four-minute mark in the men's mile on local soil.

Ramolefi won in 3:59.69, holding off a strong challenge from Pharson Magagane, who crossed the line in 4:00.00, and Jacques Pretorius who took third in 4:00.15.

"I knew it was going to be very hard tonight, and I probably would have been happy with 4:02 or 4:03, but it's special to break the four minute mark," Ramolefe said.

South Africa

Kenya dominates at African Cross Country Champs in Cape Town

Leila Gichinga - Nairobi — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 20:01:56 +0000

Kenya dominates at African Cross Country Champs in Cape Town Leila Gichinga… 6 March 2011 - 9:01pm

The Kenyan team swept the podium at the 2011 Africa Cross Country Championships held in Cape Town, South Africa today.

Mercy Cherono won the senior women’s 8km race in 27 minutes 13 seconds ahead of compatriots Viola Kibiwott (27:14) and Doris Chengeiywo (27:22). Pauline Njeri (27:23) was fourth, Iness Chenonge (27:43) fifth with Lakwod Lipsang of Morocco (28.29) far back in sixth.

The African Junior 5,000m silver medallist, John Mwangangi, who is also the Kenyan team captain, claimed the senior men's 12km gold in 35:31 ahead of Stephen Kiprotich (35:34) and Henry Chirchir (35:35).

His compatriot Felix Kiprono (35:39) was fourth ahead of South Africans Sigosi Chesonane (36:32) and Stephen Mukoka (36:49).

In the Junior men’s 8k, Japheth Korir took the gold in 23:03 ahead of compatriots Patrick Muaka (Silver in 23:04), Nicholas Togom (bronze in 23:18), Gideon Kipketer (4th in 23:19), Dennis Kipruto (5th in 23:21) and Edwin Mokua (6th in 23:28).

Caroline Chepkoech took the junior women’s 6km gold in 19:59 ahead of Mary Mananu who settled for silver in 20:00 and Zipporah Wanjiru got the bronze medal in 20:05. They were followed by other Kenyans Jepchirchir Cheruiyot (20:09), Alice Aprot (20:12) and Norah Cherop (20:53) in fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.

Selected Results

Senior Women’s 8km:

Mercy Cherono (Kenya) 27:13;
Viola Kibiwott ( Kenya) 27:14;
Doris Chengeiywo (Kenya) 27:22;
Pauline Njeri (Kenya) 27:23;
Iness Chenonge (Kenya) 27:43;
Lakwod Lipsang (Morocco) 28:29.

Senior Men’s 12km:

John Mwangangi (Kenya) 35:31;
Stephen Kiprotich (Kenya) 35:34;
Henry Chirchir (Kenya) 35:35;
Felix Kiprono (Kenya) 35:39;
Sigosi Chesonane (RSA) 36:32;
Stephen Mukoka (RSA) 36:49.

Junior Men’s 8km:

Japheth Korir (Kenya) 23:03;
Patrick Muaka (Kenya) 23:04;
Nicholas Togom (Kenya) 23:18;
Gideon Kipketer (Kenya) 23:19;
Dennis Kipruto (Kenya) 23:21;
Edwin Mokua (Kenya) 23:28.

Junior Women’s 6km:

Caroline Chepkoech (Kenya) 19:59;
Mary Mananu (Kenya) 20:00;
Zipporah Wanjiru (Kenya) 20:05;
Jepchirchir Cheruiyot (Kenya) 20:09;
Alice Aprot (Kenya) 20:12;
Norah Cherop (Kenya) 20:53.

Kenya

South African LJ van Zyl breaks 11-year-old national 400m hurdles record in Pretoria

SAPA — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:41:30 +0000

South African LJ van Zyl breaks 11-year-old national 400m hurdles record in Pretoria SAPA 26 February 2011 - 3:41am

South African 400m hurdler Louis J van Zyl smashed Llewellyn Herbert's 11-year-old record at the second Yellow Pages meeting at the LC de Villiers Stadium, University of Pretoria last night.

Van Zyl, the reigning African champion from Nairobi 2010, jumped out of the blocks at a breakneck speed setting a new South African 400m hurdles record in 47.66 seconds.

He improved on Herbert's record of 47.80 seconds set at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

If no other athlete sets a new South African record at any of the remaining Yellow Pages meetings or at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Van Zyl will win the R200 000 Pot of Gold set aside by Athletics South Africa (ASA) and Yellow Pages.

Van Zyl revealed that his fear of losing against the South African champ, Cornel Fredericks, in front of his home crowd spurred him on to run a fast race.

"I didn't want to lose in front of my people and expected to run a good 48 second race," said the elated athlete.

Running this fast so early in the season means Van Zyl and his coach, Hennie Kotze, will have to revisit Van Zyl's goals for the months ahead.

"I don't know how we will approach the rest of the season. This time, however, would have been good enough to earn me a medal at the previous Olympic Games in Beijing," Van Zyl said.

Fredericks finished in slow 49.61 seconds with PC Beneke behind him 51.7.

World junior long jump champion Luvo Manyonga, fended off the challenge from former Olympic medallist James Beckford to win the long jump in an impressive 8.05 metres.

It was an excellent result for Manyonga who is participating in his first season as a senior athlete.

The 36-year old Beckford put up a good fight but his junior of sixteen years made easy pickings of the Jamaican.

World 800m champion Caster Semenya had a disappointing 1 500m race finishing in fourth place with Lebogang Phalula coming first.

Phalula was disappointed with her 4:09.08 as she expected to run a sub four minute race.

She was followed by her twin sister, Lebo Phalula in 4:21.09 and Christine Kalmer in third place in a time of 4:24.57.

South Africa

London 2012 unveils sports testing programme for the Games

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:34:32 +0000

London 2012 unveils sports testing programme for the Games Yomi Omogbeja 24 February 2011 - 6:34pm

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today announced a comprehensive testing programme which will form a key part of its preparations for the Games next year with athletics leading the way.

LOCOG's testing programme will focus primarily on testing the field of play, results, scoring and timing systems, as well as key operational procedures and functions.

This programme is made up of three different types of events, namely:

International Invitational Events, created and delivered by LOCOG
International Federation (IF) events, delivered by LOCOG in partnership with the IFs and sports national governing bodies
International events organised by sports national governing bodies and other organisations with LOCOG testing operational aspects.

According to LOCOG, many of the events will be available to spectators with others restricted to technology and field of play testing. Some tickets will be sold by LOCOG and some will be sold by other event organisers.

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: "Our approach to operational delivery is similar to that of an athlete. You do not want to face any conditions at competition time that you have not prepared for.

"When the world's greatest Olympic and Paralympic athletes come to London in the summer of 2012, every aspect of our delivery needs to be the best it can be.

"The invaluable experience we gain through our testing programme means we can 'road-test' all our operational plans and make sure we have all the knowledge we need to deliver a truly memorable Games in 2012."

The Events in 2011 which will be ticketed by LOCOG and will go on sale in May 2011 via Ticketmaster are:

Mountain Bike - 31 July 2011- Hadleigh Farm, Essex
Beach Volleyball - 9-14 August 2011- Horse Guards Parade
Basketball - 16-21 August 2011- Basketball Arena, Olympic Park
BMX - 20-21 August 2011 - BMX Track, Olympic Park

The Events in 2012 which will be ticketed by LOCOG (subject to confirmation) are:

Gymnastics (Artistic, Rhythmic & Trampoline) - 10-18 January 2012 - North Greenwich Arena
Track Cycling - 17-19 February 2012 - Velodrome, Olympic Park
Diving - 20-26 February 2012 - Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park
Synchronised Swimming - 18-22 April 2012 - Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park
Hockey - 2-6 May 2012 - Hockey Centre, Olympic Park
Wheelchair Tennis - 2-6 May 2012 - Eton Manor
Water Polo - 2-6 May 2012 - Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park
Athletics - 4-7 May 2012 - Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park
Paralympic Athletics - 8 May 2012 - Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park

Some of the above events will form part of UK Sport's World Class Events Programme, which invests National Lottery funding to help stage major international events. These are:

Modern Pentathlon - 9-10 July 2011 - Greenwich Park/Crystal Palace
Rowing - 4-8 August 2011 - Eton Dorney
Triathlon - 6-7 August 2011 - Hyde Park
Badminton - 8-14 August 2011 - Wembley Arena
Cycling, BMX - 20-21 August 2011 - BMX Track, Olympic Park
Cycling, Track - 17-19 February 2012 - Velodrome, Olympic Park
Aquatics, Diving - 20-26 February 2012 - Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park
Aquatics, Swimming - 3-10 March 2012 - Aquatics Centre (Olympic Park)

On-sale dates for events taking place in 2012 will be released later this year.

You can view the full testing programme (subject to change) below:

View the full Sport Testing Programme

Gebrselassie withdraws from 2011 Tokyo Marathon

Yomi Omogbeja — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:56:02 +0000

Gebrselassie withdraws from 2011 Tokyo Marathon Yomi Omogbeja 24 February 2011 - 3:56pm

Ethiopian distance legend, Haile Gebrselassie, will not start in the Tokyo Marathon this Sunday after the World's marathon record-holder fell on a rock during a training and bruised his knee.

Gebrselassie, 37, wrote of his disappointment on his Twitter page this morning as he was really eager to show the world that he came back well after his injury and sudden retirement in New York last year.

"I am really disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo Marathon, I was feeling great in training," Haile posted.

"I am training in the countryside of Ethiopia and fell, that happens more often but this time with my knee on a stone. Bad, bad luck for me."

"I need time to recover and I am really sorry for my Japanese fans, but I will come back to Tokyo, unfortunately not this weekend," he added.

Gebrselassie, who has set 27 world records in his career, was considered one of the favourites for Sunday's race before his withdrawal. His next target will be the Vienna Half Marathon on April 17 and the Bupa Great Manchester 10K Run on May 15.

In Gebrselassie's absence, the favorites in Tokyo are now the Ethiopian duo of Yemane Tsegay and Hailu Mekonnen as well as Kenyans Felix Limo, Salim Kipsang, Gideon Ngatuny and Paul Biwott.

Ethiopia

Kaki and Aregawi sizzle to World Leads, Defar, Zang-Milama wins & Gaisah hits 8m in Stockholm

Yomi Omogbeja — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:23:06 +0000

Kaki and Aregawi sizzle to World Leads, Defar, Zang-Milama wins & Gaisah hits 8m in Stockholm Yomi Omogbeja 23 February 2011 - 10:23am

Ethiopians Abeba Aregawi and Meseret Defar led other Africans Abubaker Kaki, Richard Kiplagat and Ruddy Zang-Milama to victories at the Ericsson Globe Stockholm Indoor Grand Prix meeting on Tuesday.

Meseret Defar won the women's 3000m in 8:36.91 ahead of American Shalane Flanagan (8:39.18) and Polish Lidia Chojecka (8:44.25). Mercy Njoroge of Kenya settled for fourth place in 8:44.27.

Abeba Arigawi of Ethiopia won the women's 1500m in a world leading 4:01.47. The reigning World indoor champion Kalkidan Gezahegne from Ethiopia finished second in 4:03.83 and Irene Jelegat of Kenya was third in 4:05.17.

Richard Kiplagat led a Kenyan sweep of the men's 800m in 1:46.28 ahead of Boaz Lalang (1:46.37) and Jackson Kivuna (1:46.38).

Gabon's Zang Milama capped a fantastic indoor season, in which she had ran 7.15 secs and 7.17secs twice, beating a quality women's 60m field in 7.20 secs. American Gloria Asumnu, who won in Birmingham last weekend, was second in 7.25 secs with Inna Eftimova of Bulgaria third in 7.34 secs.

Abubaker Kaki of Sudan again fell short in his World indoor record challenge in the 1000m, but still prevailed over the field to win in a world leading time 2:17.55. Kenyans Augustine Choge (2:18.91) and Bethwell Birgen (2:19.03) were second and third respectively.

Ghana's Ignisious Gaisah soared to a season's best 8.00m mark to finish third in the men's Long Jump. Swedish Michel Tornéus won the event with a lifetime best jump 8.13m with Cuban Wilfredo Martinez taking second with 8.07m.

Selected Results

Men's Long Jump

1) Michel Tornéus (Hammarby IF) 8.13 (PB)

2) Wilfredo Martinez (Cuba) 8.07

3) Ignisious Gaisah (Ghana) 8.00 (SB)

Women's 1500m

1) Abeba Arigawi (Ethiopia) 4:01.47 (WL, PB)

2) Kalkidan Gezahegne (Ethiopia) 4:03.83

3) Irene Jelegat (Kenya) 4:05.17

Men's 800m A-final

1) Richard Kiplagat (Kenya) 1:46.28

2) Boaz Lalang (Kenya) 1:46.37

3) Jackson Kivuna (Kenya) 1:46.38 (PB)

4) Andrew Osagie (Great Britain) 1:46.59

Men's 400m A-final

1) Johan Wissman (IFK Helsingborg) 47.41

2) Clemens Zeller (Austria) 47.57

3) Jamaal Torrance (USA) 47.58

Rabah Yousif (Sudan) DQ

Women's 60m

1) Ruddy Zang-Milama (Gabon) 7.20

2) Gloria Asumnu (USA) 7.25

3) Inna Eftimova (Bulgaria) 7.34

4) Me'Lisa Barber (USA) 7.34

Women's 3000m

1) Meseret Defar (Ethiopia) 8:36.91 (AR)

2) Shalane Flanagan (USA) 8:39.18

3) Lidia Chojecka (Poland) 8:44.25

4) Mercy Njoroge (Kenya) 8:44.27

5) Mekdes Bekele (Ethiopia) 8:47.14

Men's 1000m

1) Abubaker Kaki (Sudan) 2:17.55

2) Augustine Choge (Kenya) 2:18.91

3) Bethwell Birgen (Kenya) 2:19.03

4) Deresse Mekonnen (Ethiopia) 2:19.12

Click here for Full Results

Africa

Mokoka, Phalula twins spearhead SA team to Africa and World XC Championships

ATAF Editor — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:08:16 +0000

Mokoka, Phalula twins spearhead SA team to Africa and World XC Championships ATAF Editor 22 February 2011 - 5:08pm

South Africa's 10,000m and XC Champion Steven Mokoka and the Phalula twins are to spearhead the SA contingent to both the African Cross Country Championships in Cape Town on March 6 and the World Championships in Spain on March 20.

Mokoka comfortably won the SA title in September 2010 and was runner up behind Kgosi Tsosane at the SA trials held in Potchefstroom last month. The result was in fact a position reversal of the SA Championships.

Lebogang Phalula and Annerien van Schalkwyk had tight battles at both the Championships and the trials and will be the pick of the ladies team; in fact the ladies team will look to them to challenge in the team category.

Both Mokoka and the Phalula girls will be racing in the 1500m in the second Yellow Pages Meeting of the Series in Pretoria on Friday February 25.

'Sublime form'

Mokoka is in sublime form after winning the Best Med 10km (29:32) road race in Pretoria on Saturday morning on the February 19, then drove through to Potchefstroom to compete in the men's 3000m which he duly won - in a time of 7:55;92.

Only four times was the 8 minute mark beaten by a South African in 2010; all of those times were posted in Europe.

Mokoka did it in February in South Africa at altitude and he is fast becoming the man who will take over the mantle of South Africa's premier middle distance athlete over distances ranging from the 1500m to 10000m on the track.

With his 61:26 half marathon time and 2:08;33 Marathon time, Mokoka is a class athlete on any surface and he will be ignored at the rest of the continents peril come the Africa Cross Country Championships on 6 March in Cape Town.

Twin streak

The Phalula twins are also clearly in shape for the first ever Africa Cross Country event to be held in South Africa, particularly Lebogang.

The sisters competed in the European Cross Country season in December of last year and Janaury this year with Lebogang finishing runner up in Fuensalida, Spain behind Kenya's Eunice Jepkorir.

Her win at the trials showed she was the form athlete and the victory on Saturday February 19 in Potchefstroom at the Yellow Pages Meet over 3000m is good preparation for the Africa Cross Country Championships.

She and her sister, like Mokoka, will be racinfg the 1500m in Pretoria on Friday February 25 as final preparation for the Cross Country Championships.

The team

Senior Men:

Kgosi Tsosane
Steven Mokoka
Lungiswa Mdedelwa
Boy Soke
Xolisa Tyali
Tshamano Setone

Senior Women:

Lebogana Phalula
Annerien van Schalkwyk
Lebo Phalula
Mapaseka Makhanya
Teboho Masehla
Rene Kalmer

Junior Men:

William Kaptain
Merline Klaaste
Jeromy Andreas
Luyanda Qolo
Luxolo Mdzanga
Edwin Sesipi

Junior Women:

Letitia Snyman
Caroline Marandela
Thato Makhafola
Sylvia Tshetlanyane
Thandeka Manzana
Konzeni Gwegwe

cross country

South Africa