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 Thompson edged by Mottram in Steel City http://www.athletics-leics.com/running.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c838e76e1eb6955332050.jpg" alt="Thompson edged by Mottram in Steel City" /></p><h3>Sunday 5th September 2010</h3> <p>EUROPEAN 10,000 metres silver medallist Chris Thompson finished runner-up to Australian Craig Mottram following a sprint finish at the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield.</p> <p>Loughborough University Alumni Thompson was beaten by a margin of just one second over the line as Mottram, surprisingly omitted from the Australian Commonwealth selections, secured victory in a time of 28 minutes and 50 seconds with Finland's Jussi Utriainen third in 29:02.</p> <p>Thompson was delighted with his performance commenting: "I'm chuffed with how I ran today, I led early on and felt good, but in the end it came to a head-to-head with Craig and he proved stronger - but I've no complaints I ran a good race."</p> <p>Scotland's Freya Murray who will race over 10,000m for Scotland at the Commonwealths won the women's race ahead of England's highly talented teenager Charlotte Purdue.</p> <p>Murray edged victory by five seconds in a time of 33:01 with Charnwood's Gemma Steel third in 33:57.</p> <h4>Highlights of the race will be shown on Saturday 11th September on Five at 10.30am.</h4> <p><strong>Leading Results:</strong><br /> <strong>Men</strong><br /> 1 C Mottram (AUS) 28:50<br /> 2 C Thompson (GBR) 28:51<br /> 3 J Utriainen (FIN) 29:02<br /> 4 A Lemoncello (GBR) 29:08<br /> 5 G Thornton (IRE) 29:30<br /> 6 S Baldini (ITA) 29:33<br /> 7 S Stokes (GBR) 30:03<br /> 8 J-M Martinez (SPA) 30:10<br /> 9 L Merrien (GBR) 30:13<br /> 10 J Beattie (GBR) 30:22<br /> <strong>Women</strong><br /> 1 F Murray (GBR) 33:01<br /> 2 C Purdue (GBR) 33:06<br /> 3 G Steel (GBR) 33:57<br /> 4 A Dixon (GBR) 34:17<br /> 5 S Hignett (GBR) 35:10<br /> 6 T Laws (GBR) 36:53<br /> 7 A Norman (GBR) 38:22<br /> 8 N Grant (GBR) 38:54<br /> 9 L McColgan (GBR) 39:30<br /> 10 G Sowerby (GBR) 40:12</p> Running Page #24497 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Masai storms to adidas Challenge victory http://www.athletics-leics.com/running.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c847d383f26f186267006.jpg" alt="Masai storms to adidas Challenge victory" /></p><h3>Sunday 5th September 2010</h3> <p>LINET Masai, the reigning World 10,000m champion stormed to victory at the adidas Women’s 5k Challenge in London’s Hyde Park with a dominant performance.</p> <p>Masai, having finished runner-up last year the 20-year-old made light work of the flat fast course crossing the line in a time of 15mins 06secs to defeat Kenyan compatriot Sylvia Kibet.</p> <p>Kibet finished second over 20 metres adrift in 15:10 as Great Britain’s inform Steph Twell claimed third in 15:32 holding off the challenge of Ethiopia’s Worknesh Kidane and American Lauren Fleshman.</p> <p>“That was a very good race for me,” said Masai. “I improved my personal best for 5k on the road and it was great to come back this year and win after losing so narrowly last time.”</p> <p>Jo Pavey finished in seventh place in 15:53 in her first race appearing following a toe injury, which subsequently resulted in the Exeter athlete missing the Barcelona European Championships. <br /> <strong>Leading Results:</strong><br /> 1 Linet Masai (KEN) 15:06<br /> 2 Sylvia Kibet (KEN) 15:10<br /> 3 Stephanie Twell (GBR) 15:32<br /> 4 Werknesh Kidane (ETH) 15:35<br /> 5 Lauren Fleshman (USA) 15:36<br /> 6 Anna Dulce Felix (POR) 15:48<br /> 7 Jo Pavey (GBR) 15:53<br /> 8 Inga Abitova (RUS) 16:05<br /> 9 Justina Heslop (GBR) 16:06<br /> 10 Lidia Chojecka (POL) 16:25</p> Running Page #24501 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Team Europe win Continental Cup http://www.athletics-leics.com/track_and_field.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c847d98c4fd9490255687.png" alt="Team Europe win Continental Cup" /></p><h2>2010 IAAF/VTB Continental Cup</h2> <h3> Poljud Stadium</h3> <h3>Split, Croatia</h3> <h3>Sunday 5th September 2010 – Day 2</h3> <p>TEAM Europe won the inaugural IAAF/VTB Continental Cup in Split following two-days of keenly contested events at the Polijud Stadium.</p> <p>Reigning European champion Andy Turner contributed to Europe’s success as he finished second behind America's David Oliver in the 110m hurdles.</p> <p>Oliver fell short of his target of beating the competition record of 12.96secs held by compatriot Allen Johnson, but his time of 13.11 claimed victory ahead of Turner in second and third-placed Dongpeng Shi of China.</p> <p>World champion high jumper Blanka Vlasic dazzled in front of her home crowd equalling her season-best of 2.05m before attempting to clear 2.10m, a centimetre higher than the 23-year-old world mark of Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadionva.</p> <p>The British duo of Michael Bingham and Martyn Rooney were part of the European team that finished runners-up to the Americas in the 4x400m relay, whilst, European gold champion Phillips Idowu had to settle for third in the triple jump competition won by Romania's Marian Oprea.</p> <p>Australia’s Sally Pearson, who became the first Oceania athlete to claim the 100m hurdles title in the history of the meeting.</p> <p>With five of the world’s current top 10 performers in the field the race was one of the most highly-anticipated events on the weekend’s programme and did not disappoint, with just .03secs separating first from third place.</p> <p>Blasting out of the blocks in trademark fashion, Pearson crossed the line in 12.65secs (w-0.5) to take victory following a photo finish over Diamond Race winner American Lolo Jones (12.66) and former world and Olympic champion Perdita Felicien of Canada (12.68).</p> <p>Christian Malcolm, the silver medallist in Barcelona, finished fourth in the men's 200m as the USA’s Wallace Spearmon successfully defended his title clocking 19.95secs ahead of Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles and Ben Youssef Meite of the Ivory Coast.</p> <p>Liverpool Harrier Michael Rimmer, who claimed a silver at the Barcelona Europeans finished sixth in the men's 800m as Kenyan world record-holder David Rudisha continued his fine form setting a competition record of 1:43.37.</p> <p>European champion Marcin Lewandowski secured second place ahead of Belal Mansoor Ali representing Team Asia/Pacific.</p> <p>European finalist Hatti Dean crossed the line in seventh place in the women's 3000m steeplechase.</p> <p>In the field in the men's competition Europe gained maximum points with Germany's Robert Harting winning the discus and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway securing victory in the javelin as Australia's Steven Hooker won the pole vault competition.</p> <p>Bernard Lagat added the 3000m title to his victory in the 5000m the previous day as the American finished in a time of 7:54.75 ahead of Kenya's Moses Kipsiro and Ecuador's Bayron Piedra.</p> <p>In the women's competitions, Aleksandra Fedoriva contributed to Europe’s overall victory as she led home a Team Europe one-two in the 200m finishing in 22.86secs with Elizaveta Bryzhina of Ukraine second and Cydonie Mothersill of the Cayman Islands third.</p> <p>In the 1500m Olympic champion Nancy Langat clashed with Hind Dehiba and fell to the track with around 100m. Dehiba stayed on her feet to clock a winning time of 4:19.78 as Nicole Edwards and Christin Wurth-Thomas came through to take second and third respectively.</p> <p>Vivian Cheruiyot claimed the honours for Team Africa in the 5000m ahead of Sentayehu Ejigu with Molly Huddle coming home in third.</p> <p>New Zealand's Valerie Adams defeated Nadzeya Ostapchuk to win the shot put as Yuliya Tarasova of Uzbekistan claimed victory in the long jump competition and Tatyana Lysenko of Russia won the hammer competition. Team Americas claimed the win in the 4x400m relay.</p> <h4>Report by Mark Woolley.</h4> Track and Field #24502 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Classy Greene upstages Jackson at Continental Cup http://www.athletics-leics.com/track_and_field.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c8358980d8c1405894995.png" alt="Classy Greene upstages Jackson at Continental Cup" /></p><h2>2010 IAAF/VTB Continental Cup</h2> <h3>Poljud Stadium</h3> <h3>Split, Croatia</h3> <h3>Saturday 4th September 2010 – Day 1</h3> <p>GREAT Britain’s Dai Greene clocked under 48 seconds for the first time to defeat the world number one and Diamond League champion Bershawn Jackson in the 400 metres hurdles at the revamped IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split.</p> <p>On day 1 of competition at the Poljud Stadium The Americas won eight of 20 events to lead with a total of 219 points, nine ahead of Europe. Africa has 148 points and Asia-Pacific 134.</p> <p>Dai Greene, having won the European title last month in Barcelona crossed the line in a time of 47.88 seconds as Jackson clattered the final hurdle to finish just six hundredths of a second off Kriss Akabusi's British record.</p> <p>Greene commented: “Bershawn has only been beaten by one other person, Kerron Clement, this season, so to be one of just two people to beat him feels good and gives me a lot of confidence.”</p> <p>Barcelona silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis, as with Greene set to compete at the Commonwealths in October, set a season’s best of 10.16secs to finish runner-up third behind the double European sprint champion Christophe Lemaitre of France who claimed victory in 10.06 ahead of Antigua's Daniel Bailey’s 10.10.</p> <p>European silver medallist Michael Bingham finished third in a high quality men’s 400m as the USA's former world and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner clocked a swift 44.22secs to underline his fine return to form in 2010. The Diamond League winner finished ahead of Jamaican Ricardo Chambers (44.59) with Bingham third in a season’s best of 44.84. 
</p> <p>American Bernard Lagat won the men’s 5,000m with a superb performance of 13:58.23 as the 35-year-old secured maximum points ahead of Uganda’s Moses Kipsiro.</p> <p>Great Britain’s Andy Baddeley finished a distant fifth in the men’s 1500m with a time of 3:38.41 as Amine Laalou prevailed for Africa in 3:35.49.</p> <p>World and European bronze medallist Jenny Meadows was fourth in the women's 800m with a time of 1:58.88 in the race won by Olympic silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei Businei of Kenya in 1:57.88. She was followed by Kenia Sinclair representing for Americas just 0.28 seconds behind.</p> <p>Trinidad and Tobago's Kelly-Ann Baptiste (100m), Jamaica's Nickiesha Wilson (400m hurdles) and USA duo Dwight Phillips (long jump) plus Christian Cantwell (shot) boosted the Americas' total with further individual wins.</p> <p>There were also wins for the Americas in both the 4x100m relays as Daniel Bailey teamed up with Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay and Churandy Martina, whilst, the women's quartet of Cydonie Mothersille, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Shalonda Solomon and Kelly-Ann Baptiste also claimed victory.</p> <p>Slovakia's Libor Charfreitaq in the men's hammer competition and Russia's Maria Abakumova in the women's javelin claimed field victories for Europe.</p> <p>Africa's other victories on the opening day came in the women's 400m and 3,000m through Amantle Montsho of Botswana and Ethiopia's Meseret Defar respectively.</p> <p>Kazakhstan's Olga Rypakova prevailed in the women's triple jump, Yanfeng Li of China won the women's discus and Qatar's Rashid Ahmed Al-Mannai the men's high jump for the Asia-Pacific team.</p> <h4>Report by Mark Woolley.</h4> <p><strong>Full Results:</strong><br /> <strong>Day 1</strong><br /> <strong>Men</strong><br /> <strong>4x100m</strong> Relay Men 1. Americas (Americas) D.Bailey/W.Spearmon/T.Gay/C.Martina 38.25secs 2. Asia-Pacific (Asia-Pacific) S.Takahira/N.Tsukahara/K.Fujimitsu/S.Kimura 39.28 3. Africa (Africa) H.Dreyer/S.Magakwe/W.van der Vyver/T.Mpuang 39.82 . Europe (Europe) I.Hallay/C.Lemaitre/P.Pessonneaux/T.Tinmar DSQ<br /> <strong>Hammer Throw Men</strong> 1. Libor Charfreitag (Europe) 79.69 metres 2. Dilshod Nazarov (Asia-Pacific) 78.76 3. Ali Mohamed Al Zinkawi (Asia-Pacific) 76.73 4. Nicola Vizzoni (Europe) 75.94 5. Roberto Janet (Americas) 74.87 6. A.G. Kruger (Americas) 74.00 7. Chris Harmse (Africa) 71.06 8. Mohsen Anany (Africa) 69.77<br /> <strong>400m Hurdles Men</strong> 1. David Greene (Europe) 47.88 secs 2. Javier Culson (Americas) 48.08 3. Bershawn Jackson (Americas) 48.62 4. Mamadou Kasse Hane (Africa) 48.89 5. L.J. Van Zyl (Africa) 49.97 6. Heni Kechi (Europe) 50.01 7. Brendan Cole (Asia-Pacific) 50.37 8. Takayuki Koike (Asia-Pacific) 54.45<br /> <strong>5000m Men</strong> 1. Bernard Lagat (Americas) 13mins 58.23secs 2. Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (Africa) 13:58.35 3. Bouabdellah Tahri (Europe) 13:58.79 4. Edwin Cheruiyot Soi (Africa) 13:59.04 5. Imane Merga (Africa) 14:00.53 6. Collis Birmingham (Asia-Pacific) 14:00.60 7. Sergiy Lebid (Europe) 14:00.73 8. Mert Girmalegese (Europe) 14:05.24 9. Diego Alberto Borrego (Americas) 14:19.58<br /> <strong>High Jump Men</strong> 1. Rashid Al Mannai (Asia-Pacific) 2.28 metres 2. Donald Thomas (Americas) 2.28 3. Martyn Bernard (Europe) 2.25 4. Kabelo Kgosiemang (Africa) 2.25 5. Hup Wei Lee (Asia-Pacific) 2.25 6. Dusty Jonas (Americas) 2.21 7. Mihail Dudas (Europe) 1.98 . Larbi Bouraada (Africa) NoM<br /> <strong>400m Men</strong> 1. Jeremy Wariner (Americas) 44.22 secs 2. Ricardo Chambers (Americas) 44.59 3. Michael Bingham (Europe) 44.84 4. Kevin Borlee (Europe) 45.01 5. Rabah Yousif (Africa) 45.45 6. Ben Offereins (Asia-Pacific) 45.94 7. Yuzo Kanemaru (Asia-Pacific) 45.95 8. Mohamed Ashour Khouaja (Africa) 45.99<br /> <strong>Long Jump Men</strong> 1. Dwight Phillips (Americas) 8.34 metres 2. Kafetien Gomis (Europe) 8.10 3. Christian Reif (Europe) 7.99 4. Li Jinzhe (Asia-Pacific) 7.93 5. Tyrone Smith (Americas) 7.91 6. Ndiss Kaba Badji (Africa) 7.87 7. Fabrice Lapierre (Asia-Pacific) 7.70 8. Larbi Bouraada (Africa) 7.12<br /> <strong>100m Men</strong> 1. Christophe Lemaitre (Europe) 10.06 secs 2. Daniel Bailey (Americas) 10.10 3. Mark Lewis-Francis (Europe) 10.16 4. Monzavous Edwards (Americas) 10.23 5. Ben Youssef Meite (Africa) 10.32 6. Lao Yi (Asia-Pacific) 10.38 7. Aaron Rouge-Serret (Asia-Pacific) 10.45 . Aziz Zakari (Africa) DSQ<br /> <strong>Shot Put Men</strong> 1. Christian Cantwell (Americas) 21.87 metres 2. Tomasz Majewski (Europe) 21.22 3. Andrei Mikhnevich (Europe) 20.68 4. Scott Martin (Asia-Pacific) 20.10 5. Dylan Armstrong (Americas) 19.70 6. Burger Lambrechts (Africa) 18.81 7. Sultan Mubarak Al Hebshi (Asia-Pacific) 17.68 8. Franck Elema Owaka (Africa) 15.83<br /> <strong>1500m Men</strong> 1. Amine Laalou (Africa) 3mins 35.49secs 2. Mekonnen Gebremedhin (Africa) 3:35.70 3. Leonel Manzano (Americas) 3:36.48 4. Arturo Casado (Europe) 3:37.43 5. Andrew Baddeley (Europe) 3:38.41 6. Asbel Kiprop (Africa) 3:38.81 7. Yoann Kowal (Europe) 3:39.30 8. Taylor Milne (Americas) 3:39.94 9. Mohammed Shaween (Asia-Pacific) 3:40.75 10. Mitchell Kealey (Asia-Pacific) 3:41.51<br /> <strong>Women</strong><br /> <strong>4x100m Relay Women</strong> 1. Americas (Americas) C.Mothersill/D.Ferguson-McKenzie/S.Solomon/K.Baptiste 43.07secs 2. Europe (Europe) O.Povh/N.Pohrebnyak/M.Ryemyen/E.Bryzgina 43.77 3. Africa (Africa) P.Zang-Milama/A.Osazuwa/D.Osayomi/B.Okagbare 43.88 4. Asia-Pacific (Asia-Pacific) M.Wada/C.Fukushima/S.Yumeka/M.Takahashi 44.54<br /> <strong>Pole Vault</strong> 1. Svetlana Feofanova (Europe) 4.70 metres 2. Lisa Ryzih (Europe) 4.60 3. Fabiana Murer (Americas) 4.50 4. Li Caixia (Asia-Pacific) 4.50 5. Becky Holliday (Americas) 4.35 6. Alana Boyd (Asia-Pacific) 4.35 7. Laetitia Berthier (Africa) 3.40<br /> . Nisrine Dinar (Africa) NoM<br /> <strong>Triple Jump</strong> 1. Olga Rypakova (Asia-Pacific) 15.25 metres 2. Olha Saladuha (Europe) 14.70 3. Yargelis Savigne (Americas) 14.63 4. Xie Limei (Asia-Pacific) 14.35 5. Simona La Mantia (Europe) 14.12 6. Sarah Nambawa (Africa) 13.78 7. Nkiruka Domike (Africa) 13.69 8. Erica McLain (Americas) 13.62<br /> <strong>400m Hurdles</strong> 1. Nickiesha Wilson (Americas) 54.52 secs 2. Muizat Ajoke Odumosu (Africa) 54.59 3. Vanya Stambolova (Europe) 54.89 4. Natalya Antyukh (Europe) 55.19 5. Lauren Boden (Asia-Pacific) 55.30 6. Nicole Leach (Americas) 55.64 7. Hayat Lambarki (Africa) 59.03<br /> <strong>Discus Throw</strong> 1. Li Yanfeng (Asia-Pacific) 63.79 metres 2. Sandra Perkovic (Europe) 63.29 3. Yarelis Barrios (Americas) 62.58 4. Dani Samuels (Asia-Pacific) 61.34 5. Becky Breisch (Americas) 60.70 6. Nicoleta Grasu (Europe) 59.69 7. Elizna Naude (Africa) 55.79 8. Suzanne Kragbe (Africa) 52.27<br /> <strong>800m Women</strong> 1. Janeth Jepkosgei (Africa) 1min 57.88secs 2. Kenia Sinclair (Americas) 1:58.16 3. Mariya Savinova (Europe) 1:58.27 4. Jenny Meadows (Europe) 1:58.88 5. Tintu Lukka (Asia-Pacific) 1:59.17 6. Zahra Bouras (Africa) 1:59.61 7. Nikki Hamblin (Asia-Pacific) 1:59.66 8. Alysia Johnson (Americas) 2:01.83<br /> <strong>400m Women</strong> 1. Amantle Montsho (Africa) 49.89secs 2. Debbie Dunn (Americas) 50.21 3. Tatyana Firova (Europe) 50.45 4. Shericka Williams (Americas) 50.70 5. Amy Mbacke Thiam (Africa) 51.46 6. Libania Grenot (Europe) 51.74 7. Jody Henry (Asia-Pacific) 52.52 8. Asami Tanno (Asia-Pacific) 53.38<br /> <strong>100m Women</strong> 1. Kelly-Ann Baptiste (Americas) 11.05secs 2. Shalonda Solomon (Americas) 11.09 3. Blessing Okagbare (Africa) 11.14 4. Verena Sailer (Europe) 11.26 5. Ezinne Okparaebo (Europe) 11.37 6. Chisato Fukushima (Asia-Pacific) 11.42 7. Paulette Ruddy Zang-Milama (Africa) 11.49 8. Melissa Breen (Asia-Pacific) 11.58<br /> <strong>Javelin Throw</strong> 1. Maria Abakumova (Europe) 68.14 metres 2. Sunette Viljoen (Africa) 62.21 3. Kim Mickle (Asia-Pacific) 61.36 4. Linda Stahl (Europe) 60.37 5. Hanaa Ramadan Omar (Africa) 58.16 6. Kara Patterson (Americas) 58.07 7. Yainelis Ribeaux (Americas) 57.08<br /> <strong>3000m Women</strong> 1. Meseret Defar (Africa) 9mins 03.33secs 2. Alemitu Bekele (Europe) 9:04.08 3. Shannon Rowbury (Americas) 9:04.82 4. Malindi Elmore (Americas) 9:05.75 5. Iness Chepkesis Chenonge (Africa) 9:07.18 6. Tejitu Daba Chalchissa (Asia-Pacific) 9:08.86 7. Sara Moreira (Europe) 9:10.37 8. Yuriko Kobayashi (Asia-Pacific) 9:10.92 9. Kaila McKnight (Asia-Pacific) 9:24.50<br /> . Btissam Lakhouad (Africa) DNS</p> Track and Field #24496 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Callum Priestley drugs ban - Press release from the athlete http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c81f0fc6e04e226488159.jpg" alt="Callum Priestley drugs ban - Press release from the athlete" /></p><h3>Saturday 4th September 2010</h3> <p>IN January of this year, 21 year old Callum Priestley, one of the UK’s top two sprint hurdlers, had his Olympic dreams shattered after he failed a drugs test.</p> <p>This Friday, the National Anti-Doping Panel is expected to announce UK Athletics (UKA) are banning him from taking part in any UK regulated athletics or sports activities for two years, and will never again be eligible to participate in the Olympics.</p> <p>Priestley falls foul of UKA’s rigid regulations that sweep innocent athletes into the same net as known drug cheats, and consequently limit our country’s medal opportunities.</p> <p>“I’ve never for a second considered taking drugs – I’ve worked really hard to reach this level and I think drug cheats are jeopardising their own lives and careers let alone those around them. It’s just too stupid a risk to take.” Callum says. “I’m really shattered I can’t participate in a sport I love, but I’m also totally frustrated in the lack of any official support to try and find an explanation for the failed drug test.”</p> <p>Callum had been participating in warm weather training in South Africa - one of a select group of Olympic hopefuls flown there by UKA in January 2010. During the stay, he and a number of fellow competitors fell ill with severe symptoms of food poisoning.</p> <p>A few days later, still suffering the effects of his illness, Priestley was selected for an out-of-competition drugs test. A few weeks later the test was confirmed as positive for Clenbuterol – a banned substance that can be used to burn fat, but is also known to be illegally used by farmers to promote growth of their livestock.</p> <p>Outbreaks of Clenbuterol poisoning have been reported in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, China, Mexico, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The symptoms suffered by Callum in South Africa, and diagnosed by a UKA doctor who attended to him, were consistent with the symptoms of Clenbuterol poisoning, though he was initially diagnosed with Viral Gastro-Enteritis in the absence of any blood tests.</p> <p>No blood or other tests were carried out on any athletes at the Stellenbosch training camp, to determine the cause of the food poisoning.</p> <p>“I think not to test us to trace the food poisoning was a mistake that has pretty well cost me a chance to represent Britain in the Olympics. All I can think about is that there was Clenbuterol in the food we ate. There are cases of proven food poisoning by Clenbuterol round the world, but without tests at the time nobody can prove it either way. I’d never even heard of Clenbuterol before the result came through” Callum states.</p> <p>South Africa is also one of only two countries worldwide that permits the use of a drug called Zilpaterol in the farming industry which promotes the growth of animal stock. Zilpaterol sits alongside Clenbuterol, both powerful beta-adrenergic agonists, and both prohibited for athletes under Section 1 of the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Prohibited List as anabolic agents. Clenbuterol is considered to be considerably more effective than Zilpaterol but despite being banned in the farming industry worldwide due to the side effects it causes humans, there is still evidence of its use by farmers today1,2,3.</p> <p>Callum’s initial response to the positive test was: “At first, this result came as a total shock to me, but I am not a drugs cheat, so I assumed there would be a logical explanation for it and that UK Athletics would be as keen as I was to find out how on earth it came to be in my body.”</p> <p>In early communications with Callum and his family, UKA and UKAD, the UK’s anti-doping authority, said they were there to support the athlete. However, after weeks of trying to work with them, the family began to question why UKAD and UKA were not being as clear and direct with the support they claimed to offer. “It wasn’t until the end of March that we were told in no uncertain terms by a representative of UKAD that due to the nature of anti-doping proceedings, UKA and UKAD were not in a position to assist in investigations.</p> <p>After failing to investigate what happened whilst Priestley was at its training camp, the Athletics body will effectively end his career this Friday as the British Olympic Association is one of the few National Olympic Committees in the world that imposes lifetime Olympic bans on any of its athletes sanctioned for committing an anti-doping rule violation, no matter what the circumstances.</p> <p>Callum and his parents, both teachers, were left to fend for themselves in trying to determine how the substance came to be found in his sample. They had to develop from scratch an understanding of the science of toxicological investigations into food additives and the nutritional supplements athletes use. Months of trawling the internet, expensive dispatches to specialist laboratories in the USA and correspondence with consultants, lawyers and doctors have left the family exhausted and drained from the experience. Callum’s parents were faced with no option but to take on a specialist lawyer as UKAD made it very difficult for the parents to access information needed.</p> <p>“Callum has worked so hard over the years to achieve what he has, giving up so much of his teenage years, even leaving Loughborough Uni at the request of UKA to train in London. “ says his mother, Cavelle. “We have supported him every step of the way. He has used his talent and combined it with incredible hard work to get here.”</p> <p>Callum’s father John added: “I know there are drug cheats out there, but what about those who have no idea how a banned substance came to be in their bodies? Where’s the support for people like Callum, who is presumed guilty and where the chances of seeking the evidence to prove otherwise has long gone. It is not feasible to conduct an investigation into the contamination of meat in South Africa from the UK several months after the event.”</p> <p>Cavelle adds: “UKAD has not supported us in establishing the truth. The laboratories they recommended said they wouldn’t undertake our analysis as there would be a ‘conflict of interest’ between Callum’s request and UKAD, who was also a client of theirs. UKAD also recommended a lawyer to us - he turned out to be a specialist in commercial property. This unsupportive system makes you want to give up and I know many innocent athletes do. We were thankfully put in touch with Michele Verroken and then Mike Morgan, who were like two shining lights in the darkness”</p> <p>Michele Verroken, former head of UK Sports Anti-Doping agency and now an international consultant on anti-doping policies, made this comment on Priestley’s predicament:</p> <p>“Anti-Doping systems seem to be truly lacking in any ability to determine real doping issues from those arising from the duty of care that should be shown to athletes who put so much trust in the sports system to do right by them. Other athletes I have worked with have felt that anger and frustration at the way the elite sport and anti-doping systems let them down. It is a natural response, and following that could be a determination to show the athletics world that the decision could be wrong or those athletes are simply lost to the sporting world.</p> <p>Responsible organisations should be, at least, taking steps to ensure that athletes at training camps such as Stellenbosch are not at risk, that nutritional advisers are not the catalyst of risky supplement use. Sports should be in immediate contact with athletes who have fallen foul of the strict liability doping rules, to assess if they are victims of unintentional administration of prohibited substances and to offer opportunities to reintroduce those athletes to the sport again following any period of suspension. Life bans should still be applied to those who cheat.”</p> <p>The Sports lawyer, Mike Morgan, who is taking on a number of similar cases worldwide, said: “The circumstances of this case - i.e. possible meat contamination- should compel anti-doping authorities to investigate the risk to athletes of training and competing in countries in which prohibited substances are used to rear animal stock.</p> <p>We are working very hard at the moment trying to develop a pooled athlete defence fund for cases like this. Part of the fund would ideally be allocated to research, in order to carry out necessary investigations into issues like this to ensure that athletes are not inadvertently put at risk. I hope that in future we may eventually be able to prevent cases like this from arising in the first place.”</p> <p>Callum reflects: “I may have lost out from this as my severe food poisoning was not fully analysed or diagnosed. I can’t understand why the athletics governing body didn’t test us after several of us were affected by food poisoning to see what might have been the cause? I just hope for the sake of other athletes that those are issues that UK Athletics and UK Anti-Doping will examine seriously on conclusion of these proceedings.”</p> <p>Directing her concluding comments to Priestley, Verroken said: “Importantly Callum – remember you know the truth, this decision has failed to find the truth, and has reached a convenient administrative conclusion.”</p> <p>1 Clenbuterol food poisoning, meat - Mexico: Biomedical Technology Epidemiology and Food Safety June 2010 <h4><a href="http://centaur.vri.cz.web.atin.cz/docs/cnfi/2010-07-07-153.pdf" rel="popup">http://centaur.vri.cz.web.atin.cz/docs/cnfi/2010-07-07-153.pdf</a></h4> </p> <p>2 Clenbuterol residues in pig muscle after repeat administration in a growth-promoting dose, The American Meat Science Association Published by Elsevier Ltd. June 2010</p> <p>3 BioLabLibrary cites 63 scientific papers on clenbuterol food poisoning <h4><a href="http://lib.bioinfo.pl/meid:232956/citpmid/pmi" rel="popup">http://lib.bioinfo.pl/meid:232956/citpmid/pmi</a></h4> </p> News Page #24493 Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Farah to miss Commonwealths http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c80e8026a6c9043848461.jpg" alt="Farah to miss Commonwealths" /></p><h3>Friday 3rd September 2010</h3> <p>MO Farah has withdrawn from October's Commonwealth Games to take a break after his gold-medal winning performances at the European Championships.</p> <p>Farah, who won gold for Great Britain in both the 5,000m and 10,000m in Barcelona, is going to rest up instead of representing Team England in Delhi.</p> <p>Farah commenting on his decision said: "I had a great 2010 season and my body is telling me that it is time to take a break from training and racing.</p> <p>"I have been competing since the start of the year at cross-country, road and track and feel that I need a few weeks off now to let my body recover so that I can start winter training fit and healthy.</p> <p>"Over the past few weeks I have been getting a few niggles, nothing serious but enough to tell me to ease back.</p> <p>"I was looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi but after the success I had this year I am happy to call it a season.</p> <p>"I look forward to the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and the 2012 Olympic Games in my home city of London.</p> <p>"I came close to getting a medal in the past two World Championships and hope that I can continue to improve over the next few years."</p> <p>Farah won 10,000m gold ahead of fellow Brit Chris Thompson in Barcelona and then clinched a the double four days later in the 5,000m final.</p> <p>Last month he became the first British athlete in history to run under 13 minutes for the 5,000m by breaking David Moorcroft's 28-year-old record at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Zurich.</p> News Page #24490 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Sprinter Callum Priestley handed two-year ban http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <h3>Friday 3rd September 2010</h3> <p>BRITISH sprint hurdler Callum Priestley has been given a two-year ban for testing positive for drugs and will now also face a lifetime Olympic ban.</p> <p>UK Anti-Doping have confirmed the suspension will run until February 2012 after the 21-year-old reigning 60m hurdles indoor champion from Leicester tested positive for Clenbuterol, the steroid used in asthma medicine, in South Africa earlier this year.</p> <p>Under the British Olympic Association rules, he will also be ineligible for selection for the London 2012 Games or any future Olympics.</p> News Page #24491 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 UK Javelin Association Inaugural Launch Event http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <h3>Friday 3rd September 2010</h3> <p>THE newly-formed UK Javelin Association would like to announce that Leeds Metropolitan University’s Carnegie Athletics Track has been chosen to hold its Inaugural Carnival Event on 18th and 19th September.</p> <p>The Launch Event will take place over 2 days, with the first day to include competitions for all age groups and abilities, culminating with the Wilf Paish Cup competitions. There will, in addition, be some ‘fun’ competitions, including opportunities to attempt to throw a World Record for the Cricket Ball, which they hope will be ratified by Guinness World Records, if broken.</p> <p>It was felt that it would be a fitting tribute to the late great Wilf Paish, to have the Senior competitions within this Launch Event dedicated to him, and with the blessing of Wilf’s family, the Senior Men’s and Women’s Competitions will be named the Wilf Paish Cup, and they form the centrepiece of the Carnival both this year and in years to come. They already have some of our Commonwealth athletes entered in what will be their final competition before Dehli.</p> <p>The second day will have coach workshops for both coaches and athletes led by Mick Hill, and Esa Utriainen, National Javelin Coach. Additionally on the second day, there will be the first AGM of the UK Javelin Association, which will offer people a chance to vote in committee members to build on the work already done by the Interim Committee, and will also formalise the Association’s Constitution.</p> <p>The Association has been set up by a group of coaches and athletes from the javelin event, who felt that, with its long history of success within British Athletics, there was a need to create a central democratic organisation where athletes, coaches, teachers, and parents could come for information and help about this fascinating event.</p> <p><h4>Anyone wishing to attend, enter or simply find out more details, please check out the website <a href="http://www.ukjav.com" rel="popup">www.ukjav.com</a> or email <a href="mailto:david.parker@ukjav.com">david.parker@ukjav.com</a> or <a href="mailto:caroline.price@ukjav.com">caroline.price@ukjav.com</a></h4> </p> News Page #24492 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Mikitenko to face Yamauchi at Great North Run http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7fb9ace3cf3772757643.jpg" alt="Mikitenko to face Yamauchi at Great North Run" /></p><h3>Thursday 2nd September 2010</h3> <p>TWO-time World Marathon Majors champion Irina Mikitenko has signed up for the Bupa 30th Great North Run on September 19th.</p> <p>The German, who switched nationality from Kazakhstan in 1998, has a personal best half-marathon time of 68 minutes 51 seconds and is now fully fit after a series of injuries which ruled her out of the World Championships in Berlin last year.</p> <p>The 30th racing of the half marathon in the north east has attracted a field of 54,000 and Mikitenko will face the likes of former world half marathon champion Berhane Adere, of Ethiopia, defending champion Jessica Augusto, of Portugal, as well as Briton Mara Yamauchi.</p> <p>Andy Caine, the event's elite athletes manager, said: "You could say Mara has a score to settle with Mikitenko having lost to her in last year's London Marathon, and I'm sure she'll be looking to take a revenge win.</p> <p>"But Mikitenko comes from a track background. She may now be established as a marathon runner but there's still plenty of speed in her legs which is always an advantage in the closing stages of a half marathon.</p> <p>"But the others cannot be ruled out. Adere is an experienced campaigner over the distance while Augusto is a vastly improved athlete since winning the race in 2009."</p> <p>The men's race will feature a high-profile clash between two of the world's greatest ever distance runners, Haile Gebrselassie and defending champion Martin Lel.</p> <p>Gebrselassie, of Ethiopia, will be making his debut over the Newcastle to South Shields course, while Kenya's Lel will be chasing a third success.</p> <p>World half marathon bronze medallist Dathan Ritzenhein will be eager to improve on his third place on his debut over the distance at the meeting in 2006, while Martin Fagan is expected to carry Irish hopes.</p> News Page #24488 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Kev & Mark’s ‘Crawl for CRY’ http://www.athletics-leics.com/university_athletics.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7fb7ea62157965491900.jpg" alt="Kev & Mark’s ‘Crawl for CRY’" /></p><h3>Thursday 2nd September 2010</h3> <p>LOUGHBOROUGH students Kevin Deighton and Mark Vardy on Tuesday 14th September are going to begin a 6 day crawl through Lincolnshire to raise money for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).</p> <p>Every week at least 12 apparently ‘fit and healthy’ young people in the UK die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Thanks to a free heart-screening clinic provided by CRY at Loughborough, a previously undiagnosed heart abnormality was detected in Mark, potentially saving his life. Unfortunately, one of Kev’s schoolmates was not so lucky and passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition in 2008 aged just 19.</p> <p>Money raised will help CRY to continue to do the tremendous work they are doing in raising awareness of heart problems in young people and providing free screening clinics to the public to diagnose such problems. Money will also help CRY to continue research in this area and provide support for affected families.</p> <p>They are pretty sure that this is the first time that ultra-endurance crawling has been used to raise money and we expect it to be a demanding, yet rewarding challenge. Judging from a practice crawl, they are expecting around 9 hours solid crawling a day to cover 6 miles. They aim to spend 5 days crawling around Lincolnshire, before spending the 6th day crawling around Lincoln city centre to try to get donations from the public.</p> <p>They will allow themselves to stand but not walk a single step in the 6 days including time spent in shops and accommodation etc.</p> <p><h4>Any donations you can make would be much appreciated. You can donate online at <a href="http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/crawl-4-cry" rel="popup">http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/crawl-4-cry</a>. Alternatively, you can donate in cash, which they will add to the money raised online.</h4> </p> Uni Page #24487 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 9.78secs - Gay leaves Carter in his wake http://www.athletics-leics.com/track_and_field.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7f53cd09f79506803802.jpg" alt="9.78secs - Gay leaves Carter in his wake" /></p><h3>Wednesday 1st September 2010</h3> <p>TYSON Gay blew away the field and made light work of his anticipated duel with Nesta Carter to win the IAAF World Challenge 60th Anniversary edition of the Hanzekovic Memorial meeting in Zagreb.</p> <p>Carter equalled Gay's season-best time of 9.78secs in Rieti last Sunday, but he was left in the American’s wake finishing 0.15secs adrift over the line.</p> <p>Gay clocked a time of 9.92secs, into a slight headwind, with Jamaican Carter second and Mike Rodgers third.</p> <p>Great Britain's Tom Lancashire and European champion Andy Turner were beaten into fourth place in the 800 metres and 110m hurdles respectively.</p> <p>Lancashire clocked a time of one minute 46.28secs with countryman Mukhtar Mohammad sixth a further 0.7secs back as the American champion Nick Symmonds set a meeting record of 1:45.37 to secure victory.</p> <p>In the sprint hurdles Andy Turner crossed in 13.50secs to finish just 0.09 ahead of his compatriot and fellow Loughborough graduate William Sharman as Dwight Thomas prevailed in a blanket finish. The Jamaican record-holder clocked 13.40 to take the victory just ahead of American Joel Brown (13.43) and Czech Petr Svoboda (13.45).</p> <p><h4>Full results are available on the following link: <a href="http://www.iaaf.org/iwc10/results/eventcode=4437/" rel="popup">www.iaaf.org/iwc10/results/eventcode=4437/</a></h4> </p> Track and Field #24485 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 African Violets shine at Cardiff Grand Final http://www.athletics-leics.com/university_athletics.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7e06ea081d9541572686.jpg" alt="African Violets shine at Cardiff Grand Final" /></p><h3>Wednesday 1st September 2010</h3> <p>LOUGHBOROUGH student athletes were on top form securing a fine set of individual victories both on the track and field at the 2010 McCain UK Challenge final that incorporated the Nike BMC Grand Prix Final in Cardiff (Saturday 28th August).</p> <p>Robbie Grabarz and Steph Pywell, both coached by Fuzz Ahmed, prevailed in the high jump with Grabarz setting a superb lifetime best of 2.28m on his third attempt, whilst, Commonwealth Games-bound Pywell won the women’s competition with a height of 1.81m.</p> <p>Charlotte Best edged victory over fellow African Violet and Crawley team-mate Dani Christmas in the BMC women’s 800m final with both athletes given the same time of 2:03.9.</p> <p>A similar story unfolded in the BMC 1500m final as Stevie Stockton prevailed ahead of Abbey McGhee 4:20.73 to 4:22.58 with Jordan Kinney fifth in 4:32.00. Nick Samuels finished third in the men’s event clocking 3:49.32.</p> <p>The men’s 400m hurdles final also witnessed a Loughborough 1-2 over the line as Richard Davenport clocked 50.90secs to defeat Andy Blow (51.35).</p> <p>Laura Wake and Savannah Echel-Thomson finished second and third respectively over the 400m flat with times of 55.09 and 55.28 as Kelly Massey won the title in 53.95. Glyn Hawkes claimed third in the men’s race in 48.64.</p> <p>Sara McGreavy continued her solid return to competition in 2010 as the Sale Harrier won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.60secs. Chloe Whalley finished 6th in 15.22.</p> <p>Aidan Sayers finished runner-up in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.71secs as Tremayne Gilling won the title in 10.78.</p> <p>Sonia Samuels set a lifetime best of 15:53.1 to finish third in the women’s 5,000m won by UK junior record-holder over 10,000m Charlotte Purdue who crossed the line in 15:23.4, the second fastest on the UK All-Time list for Under-20.</p> <p>Ryan McLeod finished runner-up in the men’s 5,000m final with a time of 14:09.06 as the inform Bruce Raeside claimed victory in 14:25.49.</p> <p>Alex Smith won the hammer competition with a best of 70.01m to secure his share of the McCain UK £5,000 Golden Challenge prize fund as he looks ahead to the Commonwealth’s.</p> <p>Paul Walker warmed-up for his Commonwealth Games debut representing Wales by winning the men’s pole vault competition with a height of 5.16m, whilst, JJ Jegede having set a new lifetime best of 7.76m the previous weekend in Germany carried forward his fine form to win the long jump title producing a leap of 7.59 as reigning BUCS champion Matt Burton finished third with a best of 7.31.</p> <p>Rebecca Peake who will represent England at the Commonwealth’s claimed a fine victory in the women’s shot with a throw of 15.36m, whilst, Chris Scott finished runner-up in the men’s discus to Brett Morse 60.62 to 53.92. BUCS champion Rosie Semenytsh finished 6th in the women’s javelin final with a best of 48.05m.</p> <h4>Report by Mark Woolley.</h4> <p><h4>Full results are available on the following link: <a href="http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=34202" rel="popup">www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=34202</a></h4> </p> Uni Page #24483 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Makaza and Harrison win IAU World 50km titles http://www.athletics-leics.com/running.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7b7d436a96a615339113.png" alt="Makaza and Harrison win IAU World 50km titles" /></p><h3>Sunday 29th August 2010</h3> <p>COLLEN Makaza of Zimbabwe and Sue Harrison representing Team England won the IAU World 50km individual titles in Galway, Ireland, this following very impressive performances.</p> <p>The Radisson Blu Galway City Marathon (26.2 miles) was run in conjunction with the IAU World 50km (31 miles) Trophy Final.</p> <p>The race consisted of two Half Marathon loops followed by four short loops around the centre of the city to complete the 50km. The course was undulating but with lengthy flat sections. The most challenging part of the course was the hill present at 13km (and again at 34km) that was a kilometre long.</p> <p>Zimbabwean athlete Collen Makaza recorded a unique double by winning both the marathon and the World 50km crown, as Leamington’s Sue Harrison also doubled up successfully in the women’s category.</p> <p>Makaza crossed the line in 2:47.21 to take victory ahead of South African Sandile Ngunuzza and Michael Wardian of the USA with the England team of Julian Rendall, 10th in 3:09:19, Paul Fernandez 13th in 3:13:00 and Tim Doran on his international debut finishing 18th in 3:20:17.</p> <p>Harrison finished in an impressive 15th place overall in a time of 3:15:42 to secure the women’s title ahead of Italian Andrea Anselmi with compatriots Helen Taranowski finishing 22nd in 3:37:42 and Adela Salt 23rd in 3:40:09.</p> <p>There were 13 selection races held from Canada and Argentina to Japan and Australia to select athletes for the World Trophy Final. The criteria for selection included a sub 3:20 (men) and sub 3:50 (women) run. The winners of the series races were automatically selected and following the preliminary selections the fastest finishers were invited until the selection pool was filled. In addition a few runners had invitations extended on the basis of their marathon times.</p> <h4>Report by Mark Woolley.</h4> <p><strong>Full Results (Mixed):</strong><br /> 1 Collen Makaza (ZIM) 2:47:21.89<br /> 2 Sandile Ngunuzza (RSA) 2:53:05.71<br /> 3 Michael Wardian (USA) 2:54:56.45<br /> 4 Kaito Iwayama 2:56:19.03<br /> 5 Lucas Nonyana 2:56:56.85<br /> 6 Malcom Campbell 2:58:18.59<br /> 7 Joseph Mphuthi 3:02:40.09<br /> 8 Marco Boffo 3:06:53.65<br /> 9 Evgenii Glyva 3:09:10.51<br /> <strong>10 Julian Rendall (ENG) 3:09:19.42</strong><br /> 11 Daniel Oralek 3:10:15.50<br /> 12 Ben Nephew 3:10:18.99<br /> <strong>13 Paul Fernandez (ENG) 3:13:00.79</strong><br /> 14 Ralf Preibish 3:13:09.89<br /> <strong>15 Susan Harrison (ENG) 3:15:42.91</strong><br /> 16 Andrea Anselmi 3:17:14.22<br /> 17 John Byrne 3:19:00.23<br /> <strong>18 Tim Doran (ENG) 3:20:17.36</strong><br /> 19 Daniel Verrington 3:21:14.64<br /> 20 Mary Coordt 3:28:30.58<br /> 21 Irene Kalter 3:34:21.44<br /> <strong>22 Helen Taranowski (ENG) 3:37:42.92</strong><br /> <strong>23 Adela Salt (ENG) 3:40:09.31</strong><br /> 24 Karen Ruston 3:41:46.58<br /> 25 June Petrie 3:42:18.12<br /> 26 Lesley Train 3:45:25.04<br /> 27 Paola Sanna 3:46:09.58<br /> 28 Malcolm Gamble 3:47:07.17<br /> 29 Michael O'Loughlin 3:49:04.77<br /> 30 Tressa Lindberg 3:55:15.18<br /> 31 Colman Greene 4:05:02.37<br /> 32 Jen Salter 4:12:52.82<br /> 33 Peter Osbourne 4:22:15.09<br /> 34 Aidan Blake 4:39:23.36<br /> 35 Roy Pirrung 4:43:00.0</p> Running Page #24481 Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Rudisha improves 800m world record in Rieti http://www.athletics-leics.com/track_and_field.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7b5d9b5990f597251644.png" alt="Rudisha improves 800m world record in Rieti" /></p><h3>Sunday 29th August 2010</h3> <p>DAVID Rudisha has broken his own 800 metres world-record for the second time in eight days in Rieti, Italy.</p> <p>The Kenyan set a new mark of one minute 41.09 seconds in Berlin last Sunday and surpassed this by clocking a time of 1:41.01.</p> <p>Last weekend's effort broke the previous best for two laps set by Denmark's Wilson Kipketer 13 years ago.</p> <p>Great Britain's European silver medallist Michael Rimmer finished fourth in a new lifetime best of 1:43.89 moving to 6th place on the UK all-time list.</p> <p>David Oliver of the USA won the men’s 110 hurdles in a time of 13.01secs outside of Dayron Robles world-record of 12.87, but fast enough to shave 0.06 seconds off Colin Jackson's meeting record set in 1994.</p> <p>Oliver, who has run under 13 seconds five times this season, hit two hurdles midway through the race. Great Britain’s world finalist William Sharman was fourth in 13.50.</p> <p>There was an impressive display in the men’s 100 metres as Jamaican Nesta Carter equalled Tyson Gay's fastest time of the year clocking 9.78secs to take victory ahead of American Ryan Bailey, second in 9.88 with fellow Jamaican Mario Forsythe third in 9.95.</p> <h4>David Rudisha of Kenya lowers his own world 800m record in Rieti with a time of 1:41.01.</h4> <p>[youtube bYfNElHP0OY]</p> Track and Field #24477 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Gay and Vlasic sparkle at Brussels Diamond league finale http://www.athletics-leics.com/track_and_field.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c78c2552e8a1301081542.jpg" alt="Gay and Vlasic sparkle at Brussels Diamond league finale" /></p><h2>2010 Samsung Diamond League - Belgacom Memorial Ivo Van Damme</h2> <h3>Stade Roi Baudouin, Brussels</h3> <h3>Friday 27th August 2010</h3> <p>TYSON GAY (100m) and Blanka Vlasic (high jump) dominated their respective events to win the Diamond trophies lighting-up a cold night in Brussels with the staging of the final of this season’s inaugural Samsung Diamond League series the Belgacom Ivo Van Damme Memorial meeting.</p> <p>After 14 meetings spanning the globe beginning in Doha back in May, the IAAF’s brave new world has sparkled throughout the summer with packed stadiums and a host of top quality performances as the world’s best without a major championships this year turned their attention to the race for the Diamond Trophies and the $40,000 prize on offer for winning their individual events.</p> <p>A sell-out crowd of 50,000 at the Stade Roi Baudouin gave the 2010 Diamond league a splendid finale in Brussels, as Tyson Gay was just one hundredth outside his own world-leading time as he ran 9.79secs to secure the men's 100m title.</p> <p>Gay arrived in the Belgium capital level on points with Richard Thompson, however, the Trinidad and Tobago athlete could only finish fifth on the night in a disappointing 10.11. Thompson, though, held onto second place overall, a point ahead of Jamaican Yohan Blake.</p> <p>European champion Blanka Vlasic completed a clean sweep of Diamond League high jump victories this season by clearing two metres as the tall elegant Croatain having already secured the Diamond trophy event became the only athlete in any event to go through the series unbeaten as she edged out Italy's Antonietta Di Martino and Emma Green of Sweden, who both cleared 1.98m.</p> <p>Great Britain’s European champion Dai Greene produced one of his best performances of the season to finish second in the men’s 400m hurdles clocking 48.26secs as former world champion Bershawn Jackson held on to remain unbeaten in the Diamond League with a time of 47.85.</p> <p>Kenya’s David Rudisha fresh from his 800m world-record breaking performance in Berlin the previous weekend cruised to victory ahead of Sudan’s Abubaker Kaki in a time of 1:43.50.</p> <p>Canada's Priscilla Lopes-Schliep claimed the women's 100m hurdles title with victory as American rival Lolo Jones, the reigning world indoor champion, was beaten into fifth after fading in the closing stages.</p> <p>In the women’s Commonwealth champion 800m Janeth Jepkosgei was a class apart clocking 1:58.82 to defeat the European gold medallist Mariya Savinova (1:59.82) as world champion Caster Semenya ran a tactically poor race leaving her final sprint to late but managed to secure third in a season’s best of 1:59.65.</p> <p>The British duo of Jenny Meadows and Jemma Simpson finished fifth (1:59.93) and ninth (2:01.13) respectively with neither athlete set to compete in October’s Commonwealth’s.</p> <p>Tom Lancashire, having warmed-up for the men’s 1500m by chasing a mobile phone thief through the streets of Brussels in the morning, felt no ill-affects as the Brit set a new personal best of 3:33.96 to finish fifth in the race won by Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop.</p> <p>Vivian Cheruiyot overturned a three-point deficit to Sentayehu Ejigu to take the women's 5,000m title by a margin of 18 points to 15. Cheruiyot clocked 14:34.13 to take victory. European 1500m finalist Steph Twell set a lifetime best of 14:54.08 to finish in 11th place.</p> <p>Allyson Felix won the women’s 200m to add to her 400m crown, which was secured the previous week in Zurich. Felix, who seemed easy in the race despite Shalonda Solomon being close up to the last five metres, crossed the line in 22.62secs; Solomon was second in 22.70 as Bianca Knight completed the American 1-2-3 over the line with 23.01.</p> <p>American Reese Hoffa defeated compatriot Christian Cantwell taking the victory with a 22.16m throw in the final round of the men’s shot breaking Adam Nelson’s 21.58 meeting record set a decade ago.</p> <p>Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen produced the second longest throw of the year as the double Olympic champion launched the javelin out to a massive 89.88m to take victory ahead of his main rival Finland’s Tero Pitkamaki, the winner in Stockholm, second with an 83.36.</p> <p>France’s Teddy Tamgho produced a winning leap of 17.52m in the men’s triple jump to secure the title ahead of Alexis Copello and Christian Olsson as Yargelis Savigne won the women's title courtesy of her better overall results compared to Kazakhstan's Olga Rypakova, who beat her into second place on the night to finish level on points overall.</p> <h4>Report by Mark Woolley.</h4> <p><strong>Ivo Van Damme</strong> 
<em>(February 21st 1954 – December 29th 1976)</em></p> <p>Ivo Van Damme was a brilliant Belgian middle-distance runner born in Brussels. He played football until he was 16, but then switched to athletics. His breakthrough came in 1973, when he placed fourth in the IAAF Junior World Championships in the 800m.</p> <p>In 1976, he won the European indoor title over 800m, and was one of the favourites for a medal at 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. There, he placed second in both the 800m and 1500m, finishing behind Alberto Juantorena and John Walker, respectively. They were his last successes, as Van Damme was tragically killed in a car accident while travelling home from Southern France, he was only 22-years-old.</p> <p>Since 1977, a memorial competition has been held in Brussels to remember him, the Ivo Van Damme Memorial meeting.<br /> <h4>Full results are available on the following link: <a href="http://www.diamondleague-brussels.com/en/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/" rel="popup">www.diamondleague-brussels.com/en/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/</a></h4> </p> Track and Field #24441 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 2011 runbritain Grand Prix series launched http://www.athletics-leics.com/running.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c776585e9e9b127782869.jpg" alt="2011 runbritain Grand Prix series launched" /></p><h3>Friday 27th August 2010</h3> <p>RUNBRITAIN have announced the launch of the 2011 runbritain Grand Prix series linking five of Britain's leading road races for a total prize purse in excess of £55,000.</p> <p>The prize fund announced for the Grand prix series will be available for athletes eligible to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and will be awarded on a points-for-places system.</p> <p>Athletes finishing in the top 250 male or female finishers in any of the series' races will receive points with their best four performances out of five scoring opportunities counting towards the final standings.<br /> <strong>The races involved in the 2011 Grand Prix series are:</strong><br /> Reading Half Marathon – Sunday 20th March<br /> Bristol 10k – Sunday 15th May<br /> BUPA London 10,000 – Monday 30th May<br /> Admiral Swansea Bay 10k - Sunday 25th September<br /> EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon – Sunday 23rd October</p> <p>runbritain MD, Geoff Wightman said "This is a pilot format and in future years we will aim to extend the width and depth of the runbritain grand prix series. We want to raise the standards of domestic race fields and put in the incentives and quality racing opportunities that will enable Brits to step up.</p> <p>"All of these are very well organised races, with PB opportunities. As well as currently backing home-grown runners, they have been strong supporters of all runbritain initiatives so far this year and have agreed to hold back places for grand prix scorers.</p> <p><h4>More information on the series including the structure of time bonuses can we seen at <a href="http://www.runbritain.com/grandprix/" rel="popup">www.runbritain.com/grandprix/</a></h4> </p> Running Page #24442 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Loughborough University experts help create online Olympic tool http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7766847e9b8949198341.jpg" alt="Loughborough University experts help create online Olympic tool" /></p><h3>Friday 27th August 2010</h3> <p>SPORTS experts at Loughborough University have helped create a new online tool designed to inspire couch potatoes in the run-up to the Olympic Games.</p> <p>With the countdown to the London Olympics 2012 under way, anyone wanting to become more active can log on to the new NHS website and find out which sport best suits them.</p> <p>The new tool at www.nhs.uk/olympics launches today (Tuesday, August 24) and matches people to the sports which best suit them by creating a personalised profile of the user’s sporting “type”.</p> <p>It recommends five sports to try based on a series of questions and tests assessing personality, sporting preferences and reactions. For example, a shooting target test gauges precision and reaction to speed.</p> <p>Users are then guided to activities going on in their area, with an interactive map featuring links to over 35,000 sports centres and clubs.</p> <p>The tool was developed by NHS Choices in association with Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, with input from the British Olympic Association.</p> <p>Sport and Performance Psychologist Dr David Fletcher, who led the Loughborough University research on this project, said: “This has been an exciting project to work on with the NHS. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has a reputation for world-leading research and this project helps ensure that this work has a positive and direct impact on wider society and people’s quality of life.</p> <p>“The London 2012 Olympic Games provides a wonderful opportunity for this country. Loughborough University is committed to supporting the delivery of sporting and health improvement that is the desired legacy of the Games for the population of the UK.</p> <p>“Lord Coe has spoken about the ‘memorable moments’ the Games will no doubt provide and this interactive tool aims to turn that inspiration into action; getting more people, more active, and enjoying the positive benefits that physical activity can bring to their lives.’’</p> <p>The Olympics tool contributes to the Government’s aim of securing a genuine and lasting legacy from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.</p> <p>Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “There is excitement in the air with the Olympics coming and there’s never been a better time for people to get inspired about doing more exercise.</p> <p>“The Olympics tool helps and encourages people to try something which suits their abilities and personality, but which they may never have previously considered. Whether you’re bored of the gym, don’t normally exercise or that you feel exercise isn’t for you, there are ideas for everyone for things to do locally.</p> <p>“What we want is that, in two years time, there will be many more of us following in the footsteps of our sporting heroes as well as cheering them on.”</p> <p>Olympic silver medallist swimmer Sharron Davies said: "There's never been a better opportunity, with the 2012 Olympics just around the corner, for people to get inspired to be more active and healthy. It can often be difficult to know where to start and that is why the ‘What’s my Sport?’ tool is so clever. By getting people thinking about what sport or activity might suit them and pointing them to be what's available locally, it will hopefully get people off the sofa and into their training kit."</p> <p>Olympic gymnast Louis Smith said: "The best thing about the Olympics is that it caters for everybody. That's why the ‘What’s my Sport?’ tool is so helpful. Whether you've done exercise before or not, it suggests sports and activities that you might never have considered but could love. You're much more likely to exercise regularly and get fit if you find something that you enjoy doing. This is an excellent first step towards that."</p> <p>Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics said: “London 2012 will feature 26 Olympic sports and 20 Paralympics sports, each needing different qualities and skills. With so many different sports out there, there is something for everybody and this is a great way to find out what suits you best.”</p> <p>Over 27 million adults in England are not doing enough exercise, with 14 million not even managing half an hour of moderate exercise a week. The tool targets people at all fitness levels, so that those who don’t usually work out are introduced to a wide range of sports and activities they can build into everyday life.</p> News Page #24443 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Usain Bolt My Story - 9.58 Being the world's fastest man - brand new autobiography now available http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c7768c5c6bf9917947505.jpg" alt="Usain Bolt My Story - 9.58 Being the world's fastest man - brand new autobiography now available" /></p><h3>Friday 27th August 2010</h3> <p>EIGHT days ! ! three gold medals ! ! three world records ! one amazing reputation firmly established.</p> <p>Usain Bolt's life -- and the world of sport -- would never be quite the same again. 16 August 2008 ! Beijing, China ! the Bird's Nest stadium ! 91,000 spectators and an unimaginably huge global television audience ! the final of the men's 100 metres at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.</p> <p>The crack of the starter's pistol triggers thousands of camera flash bulbs ! and precisely 9.69 seconds later a young Jamaican streaks across the finishing line to claim the gold medal and his destiny. Four days later Bolt claims the 200 metres gold, setting a new world record of 19.30 into the bargain, the night before his 22nd birthday.</p> <p>Then on 22nd August he leads the Jamaican team to more glory in the 4 x 100 metres relay final, in yet another world record time. Since those heady days of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, Usain Bolt has lowered both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records once again - to a barely believable 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively - as the World Championships in Berlin brought two more gold medals and yet more superlatives.</p> <p>At a stroke the Jamaican has become the greatest sports star in the world. 9.58 is Usain Bolt's story so far, in his own words, beautifully illustrated with dozens of specially commissioned photographs. It's about a skinny kid from the parish of Trelawny, where they harvest the best yams in the world. It's about growing up playing cricket and football in the warm Jamaican sun, then discovering that he could run fast, very fast.</p> <p>It's about family, friends and the laid-back Jamaican culture. It's about Auntie Lillian's pork and dumplings and Dad's grocery store in the sleepy village of Sherwood Content. It's about what makes him tick, where he gets his motivation and where he takes his inspiration. It's about the highs and the lows, the dedication and sacrifices required to get to the top. It's about fast food, partying, dancehall music, fast cars and that lightning bolt pose. It's about radiating sport's biggest smile. This is the story of the fastest man on the planet.</p> News Page #24444 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 Thompson set for Bupa Great Yorkshire Run http://www.athletics-leics.com/university_athletics.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c76103a5c75c689960411.jpg" alt="Thompson set for Bupa Great Yorkshire Run" /></p><h3>Thursday 26th August 2010</h3> <p>CHRIS Thompson, winner of the 10,000 metres silver medal at the recent European Championships will again compete at the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run on Sunday 5th September.</p> <p>Loughborough University graduate Thompson will return to the Sheffield venue in a much better frame of mind having finally overcome the injuries which hindered his career since winning the European Under-23 5,000m gold medal in 2003.</p> <p>The 29 year old Aldershot athlete’s performance in Barcelona, where he finished runner-up behind Aviva GB teammate Mo Farah, has enabled him to set his sights on more success in the future - in particular the 2012 London Olympic Games.</p> <p>Thompson, who will be making his third successive appearance in the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run, will find it no easy task on his return to road racing despite his world class track form.</p> <p>Another late addition, Spain's Chema Martinez, runner-up in Sheffield two years ago when Thompson finished sixth, is adamant he will be fully recovered after claiming the European marathon silver medal in Barcelona in blistering weather conditions.</p> <p>"It's great news to include the pair in what is already a high quality field," said Andy Caine, elite athlete’s manager for the meeting. "I'm expecting much more from Thompson who finished fifth a year ago but who has now stepped up a few notches. Martinez is always someone for the big occasion."</p> <p>The two new signings will face a field which includes former Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini, past World Championships 5,000m bronze medallist Craig Mottram and the British pair of Andrew Lemoncello and Lee Merrien.</p> <p>Lemoncello was the first domestic runner at this year's Virgin London Marathon whilst Merrien exceeded expectations when taking eighth position in the European Marathon.</p> <h4>Highlights of the Bupa Great Yorkshire Run will be televised on Channel 5 at 10.30am on Saturday 11th September. </h4> Uni Page #24430 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100 England Commonwealth Games team changes http://www.athletics-leics.com/news.html <p><img src="http://www.athletics-leics.com/uploads/94c761e6a3aa7d151650808.jpg" alt="England Commonwealth Games team changes" /></p><h3>Thursday 26th August 2010</h3> <p>MARILYN Okoro has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games England athletics team for Delhi.</p> <p>Okoro was set to compete over 800m, but has struggled to return to sub 2.00 form during the 2010 season following a knee injury, recently suffered an injury to one of the lumbar discs in her back.</p> <p>She said: “I am hugely disappointed not to compete at the Commonwealth Games and my decision was not an easy one to make but I have to remain focussed on my 2012 dream. My body just isn’t as ready as my mind for Delhi but with help and support from my Coach Ayo Falola and the UKA medical team I will be back for the 2011 season, I wish the team the best of luck; they’re a great team with lots of experience mixed with fresh young talent.”</p> <p>Nick Leavey, the English National 400m champion has been added to the men’s 4x400m to further strengthen the squad which includes two of the silver medal winning European Championships relay team.</p> News Page #24435 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100