Its going to be another exciting night of track and field in Europe with the Rome Golden Gala being held tonight. The Golden Gala is the next stop on the IAAF Golden League list as there are only a select few athletes that are left in the running for the $1 million jackpot.
The event a lot of people are waiting to see is the men's 100 meters. Back in 2007, everyone had the hunger to see Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell squaring off. Even with Bolt changing the standards of the sprints, this is still a marque matchup. Asafa is coming off back to back wins in Oslo and Lausanne with the last only a 10.07 but into a cold rainy headwind. The last time we saw Gay was when he blazed through his first and only round of competition in Eugene so we anticipate his wheels are ready to roll. A lot of the Americans were sub-par in Lausanne but look for them to bounce back as conditions in Rome should be ideal. Unlike many of the other meets, Rome with have a semi and a final, so two chances to see the best go at it.
The women's 100 should be blazing as well with Olympic Gold Medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM) coming off a win in Lausanne. She'll be greeted by fellow Jamaicans Kerron Stewart, Shery-Ann Brooks, and Aleen Bailey. The American contingent led by Carmelita Jeter, Muna Lee, Sholanda Solomon, Torri Edwards should provide some great action through the two rounds. Bianca Knight has pulled out due to some hamstring issues she suffered in Lausanne after the 200. Kelly-Ann Baptiste (TRI, formerly LSU) should all be in the mix. And Lolo Jones finds her name on the start list after not receiving a lane in the 100H.
Even with the strength in the 100, the women's 400 may steal the show. American favorites Sanya Richards and Allyson Felix will match up side-by-side in lanes 5 and 6. Sanya currently holds the fastest time in the world at 49.23, but not to far behind is Sherika Williams (49.98) who will be in lane 4. With Sanya in the running for the Golden League Jackpot, watch the middle of the track as the heat will be rising!
The men's 1500 will have some of the top in the world including recently crowned Olympic Gold Medalist, Asbel Kiprop (won at Pre mile in 3:48). Augustine Choge who has run the world leading 3:29 is on the start list at one end, while Dorian Ulrey sits on the other side and needs to run the 'A' standard of 3:36.2 to secure his World spot on the US team. On the women's side, Gelete Burka is trying to go for another victory as she is coming off a 4:00 win at Lausanne. She has been the most consistent (and fastest) runner this year, running between 3:58-4:00 on three occasions. Maryam Yussuf Jamal will contest against Burka for the second time in 4 days (2nd in Lausanne). Christin Wurth-Thomas is back at it trying to break that 4-minute barrier. Susan Kuijken of Holland, the lone collegiate (FSU) in the race, will attempt to break a 22 year old dutch record of 4:03 (she has run a PB of 4:05 this season).
The men's 5k has a loaded field headlined by Kenenisa Bekele who may be the only male left in the running for the Golden League Jackpot. In a recent interview, he noted that he has not felt as well as he has in the past, but he'll need to find a way to be on his A game today if he wants to stay in the $1 million hunt.
The men's 110H features world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba. He won in a narrow margin of .03 over Dexter Faulk (USA) in Lausanne so there is no room for error. USA World team members, David Payne and Aries Merritt, will also be worthy competitors to Robles. The women's 100H race features all three Beijing medalists in Harper (USA), Mc Lellan (AUS), and Lopes-Schliep (CAN). McLellan won in Lausanne with Jamaica's Brigitte Foster Hylton was not far behind and running well as of late.
The 400H will show a rematch of the Lausanne race with Isa Phillips of Jamaica and United States Kerron Clement. In the cold rainy conditions Phillips took the last race in a respectable 48.15, but Clement was not happy with the runner up spot. Look for another close one today. Jamaica's Danny McFarlane will also be in the race. The women's will be much of the same with the 1-2 Lausanne punch of Tiffany Ross-Williams (USA) and Melaine Walker (JAM) going at it once again. But this time throw into the mix Sheena Tosta who will be making her first appearance since the US trials.
Other notes:
- Women's 800 features US athletes Hazel Clark (2nd in Lausanne and US Champ) and Maggie Vessey (won Pre in 2:00 and 4th at US trials). Vessey still has a shot to make the world team as 3rd place finisher Phoebe Wright has yet to hit the standard.
-Field events: Amy Acuff (USA) will go up against Blanka Vlasic (CRO) and we'll see PV fav Stacy Dragila in competition with world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva. World leader Dwight Phillips (USA) will headline the long jump but will go up against Godfrey Mokoena (RSA) who beat him in Lausanne by .02m. The world's furthest Jav thrower, Vadims Vasilevskis (LAT) will be competing along with the young American standout, Chris Hill (USA, recent Georgia grad), who is competing in only his second Golden League event.
As with all the Golden League competitions, this meeting will not disappoint. Tune into LIVE coverage of the Rome Golden Gala on
Universal Sports starting at 1:50pm EST. And as always, post-race interview coverage and behind the scenes footage will be right here on Flotrack.
Previous Meetings:
Olso Golden League
Lausanne Super Grand Prix
Upcoming Meetings:
7/11
Kortrijk (Belgium)
7/15 Luzern (SUI)
7/15
Leige (Belgium)
7/17
Paris Golden League
7/18
Heusden (Belgium)
