Saturday 27th June 2009

WILL SHARMAN and Kim Wall led the way with fine individual victories for the Loughborough Students in action across Europe at meetings in held in Spain, Germany and The Netherlands over a busy weekend of action as athletes prepare for the up-coming UK championships that incorporate the World trials.

Will Sharman completed a busy 24 hours for the Belgrave Harrier with victory at the Mondo Keien meeting in Uden, Netherlands, clocking a time of 13.63secs (-0.6) in the 110m Hurdles on the brand new track at the De Kuip Stadium - this just a day after he finished runner-up at the
 Internationale Bottroper Leichtathletik Gala meeting in the German town of Bottrop with a mark of 13.62 (0.3).

The highlight for the British athletes in action in Bottrop came from Heptathlete Jessica Ennis (Sheffield) setting a superb 100m Hurdles personal best time of 12.81secs.

Loughborough Alumni Kim Wall (Basildon) completed a quality victory over 400m in Uden as the 26-year-old (pictured above) crossed the line in a season’s outdoor best 53.45secs. 
Compatriot Dwain Chambers (Belgrave) continued his winning streak with victory over the 100 metres in a time of 10.22secs to defeat the former Commonwealth champion Kim Collins who clocked 10.42.

In southern Spain at the Gran Premio Andalucia in Malaga the 2007 European Under-23 gold medalist Laura Kenney (RSC) celebrated her 24th birthday by finishing in fifth place in the 5,000m with a season’s best time of 15mins 35.76secs.

Fellow Alumnus Samson Oni (Belgrave) produced a best of 2.15m to claim 7th place in the men’s High Jump, whilst, European silver medalist Nathan Douglas (Oxford) finished third in the Triple Jump competition with a leap of 16.47m (-0.8).

Olympic silver medallist Phillips Idowu (Belgrave) defeated Nelson Evora with a leap of 17.05m to take revenge on his Portuguese rival who defeated him in Beijing and last weekend's inaugural European Team Championships.

Thursday 25th June 2009

IRELAND"S Loughborough-based double European indoor champion David Gillick edged out Great Britain's Tim Benjamin following a thrilling 400 metres race at the Notturna di Milano meeting in Italy.

Gillick surpassed the qualifying standard for the IAAF Berlin World Championships in August by edging out Benjamin in a time of 45.51secs, just 0.03secs ahead over the line.

Craig Pickering, runner-up behind Olympic champion and world record-holder Usain Bolt in Ostrava, won the 100 metres into a strong headwind in a time of 10.32secs.

British team-mates Tyrone Edgar finished fifth in 10.50 with former world junior champion Mark Lewis-Francis seventh in 10.53.

Emma Ania was second in the women's equivalent in11.54 behind Guzel Kubbhieva who crossed the line in 11.51.

Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge won the 5000m with a world leading time for the year of 12mins 56.46secs. Loughborough graduate Chris Thompson was eighth in 13:26.24, whilst, European indoor 3,000m finalist Nick McCormick finished two places behind with a mark of 13:27.86.

Loughborough graduate and Beijing Olympic finalist Jeanette Kwakye was a non-starter in what would have been her first race for nine months, suffering from a minor back injury.

Thursday 25th June 2009

WORLD University Games bronze medalist Charlotte Best produced the standout performance for the Loughborough Students at the latest Nike British Milers Gold Standard (North) meeting at the Trafford Athletics Stadium on Tuesday 23rd June by winning the women’s 800m ‘A’ race.

Best (24), clocked a time of 2mins 03.40secs to finish two-seconds clear of Loughborough team mate and fellow ‘On Camp with Kelly’ squad member Dani Christmas (2:05.41) as Julia Russell (Hallam) secured third in 2:10.73 ahead of Loughborough athlete Charlotte Wickham (2:10.83).

Other highlights for Loughborough Students past and present included Nick Samuels (Sale) finishing second in the Men’s 800m ‘A’ race in 1:49.91 as David Forrester representing St Helen’s won in 1:48.91.

Ryan McLeod (Tipton) set an excellent lifetime best over the 1500m of 3:43.50 to finish in 5th place in the ‘A’ race won in 3:41.95 by the impressive Liverpool Harrier Jonny Mellor. Lewis Moses (Darlington) finished 9th in 3:48.85 with James Bailey (Sale) 12th in 3:55.67.
Full Results:
Men 800 A
1-1.48.91-Dave-Forrester-U23-St Helen's/Sutton
2-1.49.45-Nick-Samuels--Sale/Lough
3-1.50.43-Ricky-Stevenson-U23-New Marske
4-1.51.25-Michael-Dyer--North Down
5-1.51.68-Stephen-Morrow-U23-B&A
6-1.52.89-Ben-Craddock-U23-Leeds
Men 800 B
1-1.52.68-Steve-Gregory-U23-Linc W
2-1.55.28-Andrew-Maguire-U23-Midd
3-1.55.92-Luke-Harreld--Bury
4-1.57.43-Armand-Bush--Hallam
5-1.57.98-Josh-Moody-U20-Mat
6-2.02.72-Chris-Price-U23-Wake
Men 800 C
1-1.55.04-Tom-Phillips-U23-Der
2-1.55.87-James-Tartt--S/W
3-1.57.83-Adam-Clansey--Liv PS
4-1.59.27-Tom-Murphy-U20-Midd
5-1.59.44-Scott-Wilson--Hallam
6-2.00.33-Graham-Powell--Liv H
Women 800 A
1-2.03.40-Charlotte-Best--Lough
2-2.05.41-Dani-Christmas-U23--Lough
3-2.10.73-Julia-Russell--Hallam
4-2.10.83-Charlotte-Wickham--Lough
Men 1500 A
1-3.41.95-Jonny-Mellor--Liv H
2-3.42.25-Jason-Woolhouse--NZ
3-3.42.70-Shaun-Moralee--Dur
4-3.43.21-Chris-Mackay--NEB
5-3.43.50-Ryan-McLeod--Tip/Lough
6-3.44.44-Matt-Bowser--Linc W
7-3.46.87-Kevin-Kane--Inver
8-3.47.36-Stephen-Scullion-U23-NBH
9-3.48.85-Lewis-Moses--Darl/Lough
10-3.49.56-Conor-Healy-U20-Clon
11-3.53.67-Ben-Jones--Cov
12-3.55.67-James-Bailey--Sale/Lough
Men 1500 B
1-3.52.33-Jack-Hallas-U20-Wake
2-3.54.33-Dan-Garbutt-U23-Dur
3-3.57.68-Tom-Madden-U23-Cov
4-3.58.39-Matt-Bond--Sale
5-3.59.09-Marc-Tillotson--Notts
6-4.01.57-Graham-Hogg-U23-Traff
7-4.02.25-Nathan-Elliott-U23-Wake
8-4.02.68-Jaimie-Roden-U20-Sale
9-4.03.39-Alex-Smith-U23-Hallam
10-4.11.50-Adam-Dyson--Hallam

Wednesday 24th June 2009

A tremendous team performance from the Irish team at the European Team championships in Banka Bystrica in Slovakia over the weekend (20th-21st June) saw them finish in second place to guarantee promotion for next year’s premier event as Lithuania won the competition.

A mix of youth and experience saw several athletes perform well above expectations, as Loughborough University graduates Michelle Carey (400m Hurdles) and Ava Hutchinson (5,000m) performed well with distinction as the duo both finished in third places in their respective events.

Michelle Carey clocked 58.02secs over the 400m Hurdles as the 28-year-old Belgrave Harrier, coached by Nick Dakin, finished in third place as Bulgaria’s reigning European 400m outdoor champion Vania Stambolova claimed victory in 55.86.

Carey was also part of the 4x400m team that finished third in 3:38.18 to overall winners Lithuania (3:36.15).

In the women’s 5,000m Ava Hutchinson performed extremely well to gain a valuable 6 points for Team Ireland with a third place finish in a time of 16mins 50.78secs as Lithuania gained maximum points with Beijing Olympic marathoner Rasa Drazdauskaite prevailing in 16:25.23.

Full results are available on the following link: www.hrdosport.sk/MED/Results_List.htm

Wednesday 17th June 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH graduate and World championship silver medallist Nicola Sanders has been forced to withdraw from the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for this weekend's inaugural European Team Championships.

Sanders, who was due to run in the 4x400 metres relay in Portugal, suffered an ankle injury in training. Montell Douglas has also withdrawn from the women's 4x100m relay team with a knee injury but no replacements will be drafted in.

Tuesday 16th June 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH student James Dasaolu will miss this weekend's European Team Championships with injury.

Sprinter Dasaolu, 21, who was named in the relay squad for the team championships, damaged his hamstring at the IAAF Golden League meeting in Berlin on Sunday.

The 21-year-old pulled up 20m from the line and finished ninth in a race won by Antigua and Barbuda's Daniel Bailey. Whilst he is still officially part of the Team GB squad, it looks unlikely he will be fit enough to compete.

Saturday 13th June 2009

ELAINE O’Neill completed her second race victory in as many days at the Cardiff International Stadium to secure the 2009 Welsh Championships 100m title.

The 19-year-old British international Loughborough University student continued her fine run of good form having won over the distance at the inaugural Super8 meeting on Wednesday (10th June) at the same Cardiff venue - and finished runner-up at the EAP meeting in Pavia, Italy, last month - clocked a time of 11.91 seconds (-2.0) in the final to finish clear of teenagers Lucy Evans (Sale) 12.13 and third placed Mica Moore (Cardiff) 12.33.

O’Neill, the United Kingdom indoor 60 metre silver medalist, won the Super8 title in 11.74secs.

In other events former Loughborough student Rhys Williams knocked nearly a second off his season’s best time of 50.1secs set in Gothenburg last Tuesday (9th June) to produce 49.39 in the 400m Hurdles final to take the title.

Paul Walker (Loughborough) gained a silver medal in the men’s Pole Vault competition finishing runner-up to Christian North (WG&EL) with a best of 4.85 as North won the title with a height of 5.00m.

Saturday 13th june 2009

DAVID GILLICK heads an Irish Team selection that contains four Loughborough University athletes which has been selected to compete in the first European Team Championships (formerly European Cup) that will be held on the 20th and 21st of June in Banska, Slovakia.

Gillick will line-up in the 400m where he will be joined by Michelle Carey in the women’s 400m Hurdles event, Ava Hutchinson in the 5,000m and former British Universities champion Zoe Brown in the Pole Vault. Gillick and Carey will also compete in the 4x400m relays in Banska.

In 2008 Ireland had two solid performances with the women’s team coming 6th in the First League and the Men’s team coming 3rd in the Second League. Based on these combined results, Ireland will compete in the Second League.


The European Cup has considerable significance for Athletics Ireland as it is the only full track and field team event available to our athletes. It also serves as an important development tool for their emerging athletes.

Team Manager Patsy McGonagle said ‘I believe that promotion is possible but it will require a huge effort with optimum performances and a genuine team effort’.

Paula Radcliffe Track, Loughborough University

Friday 12th June 2009

THE Loughborough Students faced a three-way challenge match against the Combined services and Achilles on Wednesday 10th June at the Paula Radcliffe track the full results are listed below.

Highlights included the 2007 European U23 5,000m champion Laura Kenney (4:18.1) and current student Gary Bradbury (1.51.0) completing the 1500m double as team captain Natalie Jowett (12.4) combined with Sarah Adams (54.5) won the 100m and 400m sprints.

Stevie Stockton prevailed in the 800m in 2:09.5, Andrea Vinet (14.6) won over the 100m hurdles and Kirsty Milner claimed victory in the 3,000m (9:45.7) as the Loughborough squad won the match with a total of 290 points ahead of the Combined Services (265) and Achilles (91).
Full Results:
Mens 400m Hurdles Match
Forde Callum Charnwood AC 1 55.5
Morris Gareth Loughborough Students 2 55.6
Darren Robinson Combined Sevices 3 56.6
Wombwell Simon Loughborough Students 4 56.8
Mouland Josh Achilles 5 58.8
Shaw Chris Combined Services 6 59.2
Barker-Davis Rob Combined Services 7 60.0
Mens 800m Match
Bradbury Gary LSAC 1 1:51.0
Baddick Frank Loughborough Students 2 1:51.4
Whittle Rob Loughborough Students 3 1:52.5
Hutton Paul LSAC 4 1:53.2
Wilsmore Mike Comb Services 5 1:54.1
Gayle Tom LSAC 6 1:56.1
McGurk Chris Achilles 7 1:57.4
Mens 800m Guest Race A
Goodall Paul LSAC 1 1:57.0
Street Peter LSAC 2 1:57.6
Ryan Dan LSAC 3 1:58.9
Harmer Paul Charnwood AC 4 1:59.5
Culverwell Travis Combined Sevices 5 2:04.2
Mens 100m Match -0.5m/s
Benson Stu Comb Services 1 10.8
Richardson Ben Achilles 2 11.0
Dyble Mark Achilles 3 11.1
Swan Pat LSAC 4 11.1
Smith Ramon Comb Services 5 11.2
Stott Luke Loughborough Students 6 11.3
McLaughton Conor Loughborough Students 7 11.4
Mens 100m Guest Race A -1.4m/s
Adekanmbi Isaiah Achilles 1 11.3
Childs Nav Combined Sevices 2 11.4
Kenyon George Achilles 3 11.4
Mohammed Adam LSAC 4 11.5
Ogunmilade Olaseni LSAC 5 11.7
Eusatio Titus Combined Sevices 6 11.7
Young Fraser LSAC 7 11.9
Achilles 8 12.6
Mens 100m Guest Race B -1.6m/s
Marcus Seun LSAC 1 11.7
Ward Oscar LSAC 2 11.7
Pickup Bradley LSAC 3 11.8
Asenso Ruben Combined Services 4 11.8
Okoye Fitz Combined Services 5 12.2
Douglas (U17) Scott Charnwood 6 12.3
Muleli Shadrak Achilles 7 12.9
Mens 400m Match
Hughes David Trafford 1 47.7
Swan Pat Loughborough Students 2 47.9
Audu Musa Comb Services 3 49.1
Judson Paul Loughborough Students 4 49.9
King (U17) Zach Notts AC 5 50.1
Olisile David Comb Services 6 53.2
Mens 400m Guest Race A
Griffiths James LSAC 1 51.1
Caine Scott Combined Sevices 2 51.3
Samuels Nick LSAC 3 52.0
Emery Stephen LSAC 4 52.3
Newton Josh LSAC 5 54.8
Mens 110m Hurdles Match -0.2m/s
Higbee Tony Comb Services 1 14.4
Richardson Ben Achilles 2 14.5
Stogdale Oli Achilles 3 16.0
Williams Anthony Loughborough Students 4 16.6
Ploughman Mark Comb Services 5 17.1
Mouland Josh Achilles 6 17.2
Shaw Chris Comb Services 7 18.0
Mens 200m Match -0.3m/s
Benson Stu Comb Services 1 21.8
Stott Luke Loughborough Students 2 22.2
Little Nick Loughborough Students 3 22.4
Smith Ramon Comb Services 4 22.5
Adekanmbi Isaiah Achilles 5 22.7
Stogdale Oli Achilles 6 24.2
Mens 200m Guest Race A -0.4m/s
Judson Paul LSAC 1 22.2
Eusatio Titus Combined Services 2 23.4
Morris Gareth LSAC 3 23.6
Marcus Seun LSAC 4 23.8
Douglas (U17) Scott Charnwood 5 24.3
Young Fraser LSAC 6 24.4
Muleli Shadrak Achilles 7 25.3
Mens 1500m Match
Wilsmore Mike Comb Services 1 3:58.6
Griffiths James Loughborough Students 2 4:04.7
Hood James LSAC 3 4:08.3
Cameron Stuart LSAC 4 4:11.5
Perry Chris LSAC 5 4:12.6
Jackson Alex LSAC 6 4:12.7
Johnson James LSAC 7 4:14.1
Smale Peter LSAC 8 4:17.4
Warburton Richard Loughborough Students 9 4:19.2
Ellis Oz Combined Sevices 10 4:23.4
Mohadi Isake Combined Sevices 11 4:23.7
Easterling Brendan LSAC 12 4:28.1
Mens 4 x 100m Relay Match
0 0 Comb Services DQ
0 0 Loughborough Students DQ
3000m Combined Match
Mitchell Sam Combined Sevices 1 8:44.0
Elliott Adam Loughborough Students 2 8:44.5
Womersley Ed Loughborough Students 3 8:44.9
Samuel Thomas Achilles 4 8:48.6
Blunden Matt Comb Services 5 8:49.9
Chetwynd Alan Achilles 6 8:50.8
Douglas James Charnwood AC 7 8:51.0
Mens 4 x 400m Relay Match
0 0 Comb Services 1 3:50.4
High Jump
Muskwe Osman Comb Services 1 1.85m
Okeye Fitz Comb Services 2 1.80m
Holvey Mark Comb Services 3 1.70m
Long Jump
Pickup Bradley Lboro Students 1 6.89m
Childs Nav Comb Services 2 6.89m
Hibbins Kev Combined Sevices 3 6.46m
Simson Ian Achilles 4 6.46m
McMullen Carl Comb Services 5 6.41m
Williams Anthony Lboro Students 6 6.34m
Kenyon George Achilles 7 6.10m
Hall Max LSAC 8 5.85m
Dunn Thonas Unattached 9 5.81m
Johnson Dan Achilles NJ
Triple Jump
Childs Nav Comb Services 1 14.40m
Muskwe Osman Comb Services 2 13.39m
Pole Vault
Hall Max Lboro Students 1 4.15m
Hemery Adrian Lboro Students 2 4.00m
Feeney David LSAC 3 3.60m
Mouland Josh Achilles 4 2.60m
Shot Putt
Wiseman Mark Comb Services 1 15.50m
Plowman Mark Comb Services 2 11.99m
Tan Yong Sheng Lboro Students 3 10.44m
Koh Ron Lboro Students 4 10.29m
West (F34) Dan Notts AC 10.42m
Discus
Wiseman Mark Comb Services 1 51.80m
Scott Chris Lboro Students 2 46.64m
Ploughman Mark Comb Services 3 38.47m
Hall Max LSAC 4 34.27m
Mouland Josh Achilles 5 31.25m
Koh Ron Loughborough Students 5 34.11m
Tarrant John LSAC 6 34.08m
Tan Yong Shen LSAC 7 29.87m
Greaves (F44) Dan LSAC 52.92m
Javelin
Lundman John Lboro Students 1 61.09m
Hemery Adrian Lboro Students 2 52.55m
Muskwe Osman Comb Services 3 50.56m
Shaw Chris Comb Services 4 37.01m
Rubery Adam Charnwood 5 36.57m
Churchill Kenny Charnwood (F37) 44.19m
Hammer
Lambley Matt Lboro Students 1 67.44m
Pearson John Lboro Students 2 59.98m
West Grant Temple University 3 57.10m
Osazuwa John Comb Services 4 53.84m
Hyland Luke LSAC 5 47.71m
Windley Andy LSAC 6 47.08m
McKevitt Scott Comb Services 7 46.16m
Womens 400m Hurdles Match
Spray Lucy Achilles 1 64.0
Le Cornu Hazel Loughborough Students 2 65.5
Carr Christina Loughborough Students 3 66.4
Bass Laura Achilles 4 66.8
Barter Hannah Comb Services 5 70.4
Flaherty Natalie Comb Services 6 76.4
Womens 800m Match
Stockton Stevie Loughborough Students 1 2:09.5
Pidgeon Emily LSAC 2 2:12.0
Kinney Jordan Loughborough Students 3 2:13.1
Jones Amanda Comb Services 4 2:13.9
Coulson Jess LSAC 5 2:17.2
Vincent (U17) Freya Leicester 5 2:19.2
Haniver Kelly Comb Services 6 2:30.5
Womens 100m Match -0.7m/s
Jowett Natalie Loughborough Students 1 12.4
McGawn Laura Comb Services 2 12.5
Hitchman Laura Loughborough Students 3 12.6
Hodges Sam Comb Services 4 12.9
Parker Emily LSAC 5 13.0
Douglas Heather Charnwood 6 13.6
St Helen Charles Silvren Combined Services 7 13.8
Edward Dassiai Combined services 8 13.9
Womens 400m Match
Adams Sarah Loughborough Students 1 54.5
Best Charlotte Loughborough Students 2 55.9
Laidlow Kate Achilles 3 58.5
Curling Rosie Comb Services 4 58.8
Hutchins Naomi LSAC 5 62.1
Thompson Nekesha Comb Services 6 62.7
Annersley Claire Comb Services 7 63.5
Womens 100m Hurdles Match 0.0m/s
Vinet Andrea Loughborough Students 1 14.6
McGawn Laura Comb Services 2 15.2
Rowley Emma Achilles 3 15.3
Hewitt Katie LSAC 4 16.6
James Katie Loughborough Students 5 16.6
Hanstock Helen Achilles 6 16.6
Kiff Michelle LSAC 7 18.3
Womens 200m Match -0.2m/s
Hodges Sam Comb Services 1 25.8
Hitchman Laura Loughborough Students 2 25.8
Syrocki Becs Loughborough Students 3 25.9
Laidlow Kate Achilles 4 26.7
Douglas Heather Charnwood 5 27.7
Thompson Nekesha Comb Services 6 28.2
Hajarat Abiju Comb Services 7 29.7
Womens 1500m Match
Kenney Laura Loughborough Students 1 48.1
Hutchinson Ava LSAC 2 4:23.2
Maude Sarah Loughborough Students 3 4:31.3
Wickham Charlotte LSAC 4 4:36.4
Jones Amanda Comb Services 5 4:37.4
Ray Flo Achilles 6 4:38.9
Snook Alex LSAC 7 4:42.9
Lomas Katie LSAC 8 4:51.8
Damant Estelle LSAC 9 4:54.3
Williams Paris LSAC 10 4:55.4
White Becky LSAC 11 5:04.0
Haniver Kelly Comb Services 12 5:13.0
Womens 4 x 100m Relay Match
0 0 Loughborough Students 1 50.3
0 0 Comb Services 2 52.1
3000m Match
Milner Kirsty Loughborough Students 1 9:45.7
Callaway Jo Loughborough Students 2 10:07.8
Richards Suzie LSAC 3 10:11.0
Maddick Jo LSAC 4 10:11.8
Clark Tamsin Comb Services 5 10:29.5
Rutter Tamsin Comb Services 6 10:59.7
Womens 4 x 400m Relay Match
0 0 Comb Services 1 4:18.2
Womens High Jump
Hine Sophie Lboro Students 1 1.75m
Hood Gina Achilles 2 1.55m
Curling Rosie Comb Services 3 1.55m
Flaherty Natalie Comb Services 4 1.45m
Halewood Chevaune Lboro Students 5 1.45m
Womens Long Jump
Curling Rosie Comb Services 1 5.29m
Hanstock Helen Achilles 2 5.18m
Samuels Laura Lboro Students 3 5.17m
Longwe Tamara Lboro Students 4 5.10m
Hewitt Katie LSAC 5 5.05m
Edward Darcea Comb Services 6 4.92m
Duke Laura Achilles 7 4.88m
St Helen Charles Silvren Comb Services 8 4.35m
Lucocq Carolyn Comb Services 9 4.33m
Womens Triple Jump
Samuels Laura Lboro Students 1 11.80m
Matthew Denae Lboro Students 2 11.77m
Longwe Tamara LSAC 3 11.34m
Hanstock Helen Achilles 4 10.77m
Phillips Rhian Comb Services NJ
Stoner Natalie Comb Services NJ
Edward Darcia Comb Services NJ
Womens Pole Vault
Phillips Rhian Comb Services 1 3.00m
Adams Caroline Lboro Students 2 2.90m
Orr (U17) Helen Charnwood 3 2.60m
Mott Kerrie Lboro Students 4 2.30m
Womens Shot
Raan Lucy Comb Services 1 10.22m
Sandiford Ester Comb Services 2 8.37m
Womens Discus
Sandiford Ester Comb Services 1 36.62m
Williams Claire Lboro Students 2 35.35m
Rann Lucy Comb Services 3 25.58m
Womens Javelin
Rann Lucy Comb Services 1 38.60m
St Hellen Charles Silvren Comb Services 2 26.95m
Phillips Rhion Comb Services 3 26.93m
Kirsey Dopley Comb Services 4 23.36m
Men's Match Score
1 Combined Services 146, 2 LSAC 133, 3 Achilles 44
Women's Match Score
1 LSAC 157, 2 Combined Services 119, 3 Achilles 47
Overall Match Score
1 LSAC 290, 2 Combined Services 265, 3 Achilles 91

Friday 12th June 2009

HARRY Aikines-Aryeetey finished runner-up to Dwain Chambers in the 100m at the Montreuil International meeting on the outskirts of Paris on Thursday evening.

Chambers overcame a poor start to quickly recover his composure and power through to easily win the 100m ahead of Loughborough-based Aikines-Aryeetey.

Chambers, hoping to be picked for the Aviva GB team for next weekend's European Team Championships, won in a time of 10.17secs.

Former world junior 100m champion Aikines-Aryeetey also stayed relaxed to snatch second place from Frenchman Martial Mbandjock, both sharing the same time of 10.33.

Loughborough graduate Andy Turner, who despite no longer receiving lottery funding is determined to compete at the 2012 London Olympics, had to withdraw from the 110m hurdles after a mishap on the warm up track.

Commonwealth and European bronze medallist Turner, who has had a great start with four overseas victories to his season, hurt his back and pulled out of the race as a precautionary measure.

Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu eased to victory in her first 400metres race since last September in a time of 51.14secs ahead of the French duo of Solen Desert Mariller and Thelia who finished in 52.61 and 52.71 respectively.

The United Kingdom 800m champion Michael Rimmer clocked one minute 47.01seconds for third place behind the host nation's Jeff Lastennet (1:46.48) and Kenyan Jackson Kivuna (1:46.91).

Wednesday 10th June 2009

IRELAND's David Gillick produced his fastest race of the season in the men’s 400m with 45.16secs clocking at the European Athletics Premium Meeting "Thessaloniki 2009" in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Loughborough-based double European indoor champion sprinter finished ahead of Great Britain's Tim Benjamin (45.51) and Jamaican Michael Blackwood (45.65).

Monday 8th June 2009

UK Athletics have appointed six national event coaches to work under head coach Charles van Commenee and Kevin Tyler, head of coaching and development - they included Loughborough-based coaches Michael Khmel and Steve Rippon.

Russian Khmel (pictured left) and Tony Lester will assume responsibility for men's and women's sprints respectively, including the relay programmes for major championships..

Australian Steve Rippon will coach the pole vault, Aston Moore will focus on triple jump, Malcolm Arnold the hurdles and John Herbert the long jump.

They join Robert Weir, who is already operating in the area of heavy throws, and Ian Stewart, who has been appointed to oversee the endurance events.

Van Commenee said: "These appointments are a major step forward in shaping our ambitions for 2012 and the wider development of the sport.

"The national event coaches will serve a dual purpose; firstly the dedicated coaching of individual athletes heading towards London, and secondly supporting Kevin in enhancing the development of the event and the coaching within it."

Sunday 7th June 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH Alumni Samson Oni claimed third place in a quality High Jump competition at the Janus Kusocinski Memorial meeting in Warsaw, Poland, finishing ahead of Russia’s 2006 World indoor silver medallist Andrey Tereshin.

Oni, the 27-year-old Belgrave Harrier, the 2008 United Kingdom indoor champion, recorded a best of 2.20m as Sweden’s Linus Thornblad, bronze medallist behind Tereshin in 2006, won the competition with a height of 2.31. Tereshin finished 6th on countback with the same mark as Oni.

On the track reigning World junior 1500m champion Steph Twell smashed her personal best for the distance with a fabulous victory at the Stadion Orla slicing over two seconds off her previous mark set at last year’s IAAF Golden League Gaz de France meeting in Paris as the 19-year-old stormed to victory in a time of four minutes 03.62 seconds finishing ahead of the Russian duo of Natalya Evdokimova (4:04.44) and Yuliya Zarudneva (4:04.59).

Fellow Brit Charlene Thomas also lowered her lifetime best with a fourth place finish in 4:05:06 - inside the qualifying 'A' standard for the Berlin World Championships in August.

Loughborough graduate William Sharman clocked 13.57secs to finish runner-up behind Jamaica's Maurice Wignall in the 110m Hurdles.

Leicester's Nathan Morgan, the 2002 Commonwealth champion, finished 7th in the Long Jump with a best of 7.43m.
Leading British Results:
Men
100 h2 (-1.5): 2 Ryan Scott (Yate) 10.67: 9 Ryan Scott (Yate) 10.73.
110H (0.0): 2 William Sharman (Belg/LSAC) 13.57.
HJ: 3 Samson Oni (Belg/LSAC) 2.20.
LJ: 7 Nathan Morgan (Bir) 7.43/1.8.
Women
1500: 1 Stephanie Twell (AFD) 4:03.62; 4 Charlene Thomas (Wake) 4:05.06.

Full results are available on the following link: www.forsport.info/

Wednesday 3rd June 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH Sports Scholar Lee McConnell raced to her second Commonwealth Games qualifying standard in a fortnight at the Pfingstmeeting in Rehlingen on Monday 1st June, winning the 400m in 51.52secs, her quickest ever season opener.

McConnell, who secured her first qualifying mark in the Delhi 2010 campaign at the CAU Inter-County Championships in Bedford (24th May) over 200m (23.29), is now top ranked British athlete in the one-lap event for 2009.

The Scot beat World Championships silver medallist and fellow Loughborough graduate Nicola Sanders into second (51.89) but missed out on the Berlin IAAF World Championships qualifying standard by only 0.02secs, but was well inside the Scottish Commonwealth Games mark set at 52.25.

Full results are available on the following link: www.leichtathletik.de/results/1800_rehlingen_010609.HTM

Monday 1st June 2009

BRITISH Javelin record-holder Goldie Sayers has been ruled out of action for six weeks after being diagnosed with a partial stress fracture in her lower back.

The 26-year-old Loughborough University graduate threw a national record of 65.75 metres to finishing fourth at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

However, Sayers will miss next week's brand new Super8 competition in Cardiff, followed by the European Team Championships later this month in Portugal and the AVIVA UK Championships and World Trials in July but is optimistic of being fit for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin in August.

Sayers said: "I am gutted to have picked up an injury at this stage of the season, particularly as I was in such good shape.

"The injury itself is not too bad but the timing is. However, I have every confidence in the team I work with to make a full recovery and we are all working cautiously towards a two-fold goal.

"Primarily, it is to ensure the fracture is fully healed and does not have any lingering effect on my progression towards being at my peak for London 2012.

"Secondly, it is to make all feasible yet safe preparations for this summer's World Championships in Berlin, which I still believe is a realistic goal.

"Training had been progressing well and I am keeping a positive frame of mind that 2009 can still be a successful year for me."

Saturday 30th May 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH 2012 sports scholar Nick McCormick opened his outdoor season in a tough world-class 5,000m at the IAAF Reebok Grand Prix meeting in New York finishing in 9th place in a time of 13mins 31.12secs as Kenya’s Micah Kogo, winner of the recent BUPA Great Edinburgh 10km, claimed victory in a world-leading time of 13:02.90.

McCormick, a sixth place finisher in the 3,000m final at the Turin European Indoor Championships - now based at Loughborough and coached by John Nuttall - competing in his first competitive outing following his spell of warm weather training in Font Romeu as apart of the UK Athletics endurance initiative was up against a very high quality field as the USA’s reigning global champion Bernard Lagat was out kicked in the winding conditions at the Icahn Stadium by Micah Kogo over the final lap as Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel claimed third.

Highlight of the quality meeting In New York that will join the new IAAF Diamond League Tour from next year was produced by American Tyson Gay returning to his best with a brilliant win setting the world's third fastest time ever over 200 metres clocking a time of 19.58secs.

Compatriot Allyson Felix won the women's 400m in a world leading 50.50secs whilst Lauryn Williams also posted a world lead as she clinched the women's 200m in 22.34secs. Jenn Stuczynski matched that in the pole vault with a height of 4.81metres.

The women's 800m also saw a world-lead from the USA’s Anna Willard, who ran down crowd-favorite Jamaican Kenia Sinclair on the homestretch to win in 1:59.29.

Olympic bronze medallist Natasha Danvers claimed a fine victory for Great Britain in the 400m Hurdles in 55.19secs.

Full results are available on the following link: www.flashresults.com/2009_Meets/outdoor/ReebokGP/

Friday 29th May 2009

CHRIS THOMPSON and Jemma Simpson were in action at the NIKE Mile Races in Oregon, USA, as the British duo both produced top performances over the imperial distance and the 800m as a warm-up for next weekend’s Prefontaine Classic in Eugene.

In the men’s Mile race held on the Michael Johnson track set in the spectacular surroundings of the NIKE corporate headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon - where the beautiful 400m oval is set within a forest, Chris Thompson, the 28-year-old Loughborough graduate having successfully returned to action at the BUPA Great Manchester Run finishing sixth to Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie, this following a series of well documented injury problems clocked a time of 4mins 01.23secs to finish third to American Tom Brooks (3:59.31).

In the women’s 800m Beijing Olympian Jemma Simpson also now based in Oregon and coached by Mark Rowland led home a quality field to take victory in a time of 2mins 02.93secs ahead of American’s Sara Vaughn (2:04.77) and third placed Emily McMahon (2:05.89).

Kara Goucher, the 2007 BUPA Great North Run winner, clocked 2:06.79 to take fourth this having finished third at the recent Boston Marathon.
Leading Results:
Men’s One Mile
1 Brooks, Tom Oregon Track Club 3:59.31
2 Riley, Jonathon Nike 4:00.27
3 Thompson, Chris Oregon Track Club 4:01.23
4 Vaughn, Brent Nike 4:01.57
5 Bak, Ryan Oregon Track Club 4:01.68
6 Schoolmeester, Bret Bowerman Athletics 4:02.08
7 Achon, Julius Nike 4:04.16
8 Goucher, Adam Nike 4:11.92
9 D'Onofrio, Vincent Unattached 4:16.01
Women’s 800m
1 Simpson, Jemma Oregon Track Club 2:02.93
2 Vaughn, Sara Unattached 2:04.77
3 McMahon, Emily Bowerman Athleticd 2:05.89
4 Goucher, Kara Nike 2:06.79
5 Schaaf, Sara Bowerman Athletics 2:08.50
6 McGown, Amber Oregon Track Club 2:08.74
7 Anderson-Gregg, Brianna Bowerman Athletics 2:09.22
8 Begley, Amy Nike 2:11.09
9 Smith, Jordyn Greater Boise RC 2:12.36
10 McIlroy, Emma Bowerman Athletics 2:15.82
11 Johnson, Sydnie Bowerman Athletics 2:17.70

Paula Radcliffe Track, Loughborough University

Wednesday 27th May 2009

THE full results from the Loughborough Students v British Police v East Midlands challenge match held at the Paula Radcliffe track on Wednesday 27th May are listed below.

In the three way match the Loughborough Students completed victory in both the men’s and women’s events with the East Midlands taking second.

Highlights included Commonwealth 1500m champion Lisa Dobriskey winning over 800m in 2:07.19, whlist sprinters Andy Blow, Luke Stott and the ever-improving Meghan Beesley all impressed with victories for Loughborough.

Leicester's Eden Francis representing the East Midlands continued her good form having set a new lifetime best in the Shot (16.19) at the Throws Festival in Halle, Germany, the previous weekend the 20-year-old completed a fine double victory in the Shot and Discus with marks of 15.35m and 52.84m respectively.
Full Results:
Mens 400m Hurdles Match
Grantham Tom City of Sheffield 1 55.34
Moakes Tom East Midlands 2 57.91
Wombwell Simon Loughborough Students 3 58.55
Mawdesley Ian British Police 4 61.60
0 0 British Police 5 65.89
Mens 800m Match
Brown Chris East Midlands 1 1:54.2
Baddick Frank Loughborough Students 2 1:54.6
Whittle Rob LSAC 3 1:54.7
Frey Warren Birchfield 4 1:55.7
Hutton Paul LSAC 5 1:57.0
Samuels Nick Loughborough Students 6 1:58.3
Gibbons Martyn East Midlands 7 2:01.1
Clarke Paul British Police 8 2:07.8
Hand times
Mens 800m Guest Race A
Trollope James Birchfield 1 1:57.4
Cameron Stuart LSAC 2 1:58.6
Hood James LSAC 3 1:58.8
Ryan Dan LSAC 4 2:00.0
Garside Mike LSAC 5 2:00.4
Smale Peter LSAC 6 2:00.9
Jackson Alex LSAC 7 2:01.3
Sebit-Berridge Luke Leicester 8 2:01.3
Poole James LSAC 9 2:03.3
Braybrook Darren LSAC 10 2:05.3
Easterling Brendan LSAC 11 2:12.5
Hand Times
Mens 100m Match 1.2m/s
Blow Andy Loughborough Students 1 10.78
Swan Pat LSAC 2 11.14
Stott Luke LSAC 3 11.17
Taylor Phil Loughborough Students 4 11.18
Taylor Sean British Police 5 11.75
Mens 100m Guest Race A 1.0m/s
Feeney David LSAC 1 10.95
Owens Andrew Liverpool Harriers 2 10.97
Baxter Josh LSAC 3 11.11
Ogun-Sanya Martin LSAC 4 11.18
Aliu Yusuf LSAC 5 11.23
Hodge Marcel Charnwood (U20) 6 11.30
Marcus Seun LSAC 7 11.41
Grantham Tom City Of Sheffield 8 11.85
Mens 100m Guest Race B 2.0m/s
Wilson Scott Charnwood (U17) 1 11.23
Holden Michael LSAC 2 11.31
Pickup Bradley LSAC 3 11.42
Threadgold Matt LSAC 4 11.45
Mens 100m Guest Race C 3.4m/s
McLaughlin Conor LSAC 1 10.99
Ogunmilade Olaseni LSAC 2 11.40
Young Fraser LSAC 3 11.55
Rennalls Amadeus LSAC 4 11.67
Mens 400m Match
Warner Michael East Midlands 1 49.75
Cash Dan Loughborough Students 2 50.12
Emery Steve LSAC 3 51.95
Kwakye Louis Loughborough Students 4 52.72
Ryan Dan LSAC 5 53.62
Rigby David LSAC 6 53.82
Boskovic Simon LSAC 7 54.05
Newton Josh LSAC 8 55.61
Mens 110m Hurdles Match 2.8m/s
Elliot Mensah British Police 1 15.26
Wombwell Simon Loughborough Students 2 15.33
Mawdesley Ian British Police 3 19.75
Mens 200m Match 2.4m/s
Blow Andy Loughborough Students 1 21.67
Daish Adam LSAC 2 21.95
Swan Pat Loughborough Students 3 22.13
Cordin Sam East Midlands 4 22.17
Berners Phillip East Midlands 5 22.55
Taylor Sean British Police 6 23.40
Mens 200m Guest Race A 2.4m/s
Stott Luke LSAC 1 21.8
Little Nick LSAC 2 22.2
Goodall Paul LSAC 3 22.6
Hodge Marcel Charnwood (U20) 4 22.7
Hand Times
Mens 200m Guest Race B 3.7m/s
Owens Andrew Liverpool Harriers 1 22.35
Ogun-Sanya Martin LSAC 2 22.41
Threadgold Matt LSAC 3 23.13
Pobischan Andrei LSAC 4 23.25
Mens 200m Guest Race C 1.9m/s
Wilson Scott Charnwood (U17) 1 22.98
Marcus Seun LSAC 2 23.55
Bartlett Andy LSAC 3 23.90
Mens 1500m Match
Samuels Nick Loughborough Students 1 3:57.71
Frey Warren Birchfield 2 3:58.64
Griffiths James LSAC 3 3:59.36
Trollope James Birchfield 4 4:00.11
Street Peter LSAC 5 4:00.34
Brown Chris East Midlands 6 4:03.15
Sharman Ben East Midlands 7 4:03.52
Watt Adam Birchfield 8 4:05.14
Duval Greg Birchfield 9 4:06.81
Mears Steve Loughborough Students 10 4:07.35
Foy Seb LSAC 11 4:08.31
Elliott Adam LSAC 12 4:10.76
Kerr Shane LSAC 13 4:11.04
Womersley Ed LSAC 14 4:12.16
Lacey Ben Charnwood 15 4:12.84
Houghton James LSAC 16 4:13.63
Cullum Callum OWLS 16 4:15.85
Mens 4 x 100m Relay Match
0 0 East Midlands 1 44.84
0 0 Loughborough Students 2 45.29
3000m Combined Match
Mee James East Midlands 1 8:42.13
Peers Adam Loughborough Students 2 8:46.55
Emery Steve Loughborough Students 3 8:51.21
Tucker Peter British Police 4 8:53.11
King Stuart East Midlands 5 8:57.95
Clewitt Joel British Police 6 9:14.19
High Jump
Beer Mark British Police 1 1.70m
Boothroyd Bobby Police 2 1.60m
Long Jump
Pickup Bradley Lboro Students 1 6.78m 1.4m/s
Bobb Sam British Police 2 6.42m 0.9m/s
Holden Michael LSAC 3 6.57m 1.4m/s
Feeney David LSAC 4 6.57m -0.1m/s
Twumasi Ricardo LSAC 5 6.41m 0.6m/s
Dunn Tom Unattached 6 5.57m 1.5m/s
Bell Andy Lboro Students 7 5.07m 1.7m/s
Triple Jump
Twumasi Ricardo Lboro Students 1 14.39m 0.3m/s
Budd David City of Sheffield 2 14.34m -0.7m/s
Bobb Sam British Police 3 13.19m 1.9m/s
Pole Vault
Warensjo Robert Lboro Students 1 4.75m
Eaves Max Lboro Students 2 4.75m
Passey Daniel East Midlands 3 4.30m
Beer Mark British Police 4 3.70m
Oakes Gary British Police 5 3.10m
Gent Luke LSAC NH
Shot Putt
Stevenson Jamie Lboro Students 1 17.68m
Brunt Dan City of Sheffield 2 15.44m
Mohan Robert Nene Valley 3 14.33m
Hemery Adrian Lboro Students 4 11.57m
Discus
Scott Chris LSAC 1 53.97m
Evling-Jones Louis Lboro Students 2 43.69m
Porter Adam Charnwood 3 40.47m
Hemery Adrian Lboro Students 4 38.22m
Tan Yong Sheng LSAC 5 33.34m
Tarrant John LSAC 6 33.16m
Javelin
Lundman John Lboro Students 1 60.07m
Phillips Tim British Police 2 52.01m
Evling-Jones Louis LSAC 3 48.39m
Banham Tom Lboro Students 4 41.12m
Churchill Kenny Charnwood (F37) 44.88m
Hammer
Shorthouse Chris East Midlands 60.76m
Pearson John Lboro Students 60.38m
Careless Rob British Police 52.52m
Windley Andy Lboro Students 46.93m
Womens 400m Hurdles Guest
Holmes Emma LSAC 1 66.08
Le Cornu Hazel LSAC 2 66.32
Hewitt Katie LSAC 3 66.96
Womens 400m Hurdles Match
Adams Sarah Loughborough Students 1 59.88
Murray Katie Loughborough Students 2 64.03
Carr Christina LSAC 3 66.47
Komocki Emma East Midlands 4 68.64
Womens 800m Match
Dobriskey Lisa Loughborough Students 1 2:07.19
McGhee Abbey LSAC 2 2:12.70
Vernon Abi East Midlands 3 2:14.73
McGhee Aisling LSAC 4 2:15.09
Stockton Stevie Loughborough Students 5 2:16.62
Syrocki Becs LSAC 6 2:17.42
Thomas Lara East Midlands 7 2:23.13
Beeby April Leicester 2:26.2
Womens 100m Match 3.1m/s
Beesley Meghan Loughborough Students 1 11.76
Bailey Emma Loughborough Students 2 12.10
Curtis Lauretta East Midlands 3 12.22
Southall Jemma British Police 4 14.04
Womens 100m Guest 1.9m/s
Haslam Laura Charnwood (U20) 1 12.37
Hitchman Laura LSAC 2 12.39
McIntosh Jordan Charnwood (U20) 3 12.73
Wardle Emily Charnwood (U17) 4 13.19
Womens 400m Match
Christmas Dani Loughborough Students 1 57.14
Best Charlotte Loughborough Students 2 58.02
Paton Emm LSAC 3 58.62
Elliott Gemma East Midlands 4 59.28
Turner Alex East Midlands 5 60.62
Youden Sally British Police
Womens 100m Hurdles Match 3.3m/s
Komocki Emma East Midlands 1 15.33
Bennett Laura East Midlands 2 15.55
James Katie Loughborough Students 3 16.84
Kiff Michelle Loughborough Students 4 18.02
Womens 200m Match 1.4m/s
O'Neill Elaine Loughborough Students 1 23.70
Beesley Meghan LSAC 2 23.90
Carey Michelle Loughborough Students 3 24.16
Curtis Lauretta East Midlands 4 25.78
Elliott Gemma East Midlands 5 26.16
Womens 200m Guest Race A 2.3m/s
Haslam Laura Charnwood (U20) 1 25.50
Kinney Justine LSAC 2 25.63
Hitchman Laura LSAC 3 25.67
McIntosh Jordan Charnwood (U20) 4 26.01
Coleby Samantha LSAC 5 26.18
Wardle Emily Charnwood (U17) 6 27.27
Womens 1500m Match
Tarplee Claire Loughborough Students 1 4:26.60
Maude Sarah LSAC 2 4:27.54
Pidgeon Emily LSAC 3 4:27.78
Samuels Sonia Loughborough Students 4 4:28.93
Milner Kirsty LSAC 5 4:32.54
Armoush Tamara East Midlands 6 4:41.57
Kinney Jordan LSAC 7 4:42.13
Kirkham Kaye LSAC 8 4:43.41
Inwood Charlotte East Midlands 9 4:47.17
Richards Suzie LSAC 10 4:48.66
Licietis Lauren LSAC 11 4:54.61
White Becky LSAC 12 5:07.82
Womens 4 x 100m Relay Match
0 0 Loughborough Students 1 46.60
0 0 East Midlands 2 49.83
3000m Match
Callaway Jo Loughborough Students 1 10:09.14
Mensley Clare East Midlands 2 10:14.43
Maddick Jo Loughborough Students 3 10:22.85
Lomas Katie LSAC 4 10:27.30
Wilson Abby 4 10:30.98
Williams Paris LSAC 5 10:32.14
Demant Estelle LSAC 6 10:34.11
Crookes Lucy Leicester 7 10:44.27
Munn Hayley East Midlands 8 11:14.52
Womens 4 x 400m Relay Match
0 0 Loughborough Students 1 4:01.89
0 0 East Midlands 2 4:05.04
Womens High Jump
O'Reilly Claire East Midlands 1 1.50m
Davis Hayley British Police 2 1.40m
Womens Long Jump
Samuel Laura East Midlands 1 5.57m
O'Reilly Claire East Midlands 2 5.08m
Womens Pole Vault
Lilley Becky Lboro Students 1 3.00m
Collings Paige East Midlands 2 2.90m
Adams Caroline Lboro Students 3 2.70m
Chase Nicole LSAC 4 2.50m
Orr Helen East Midlands 5 2.30m
Womens Shot
Francis Eden East Midlands 1 15.35m
Collinson Deb British Police 2 11.30m
Badham Natalie British Police 3 9.79m
Hurst Stephanie Leicester 4 9.66m
Williams Claire Lboro Students 5 9.00m
Womens Discus
Francis Eden East Midlands 1 52.84m
Backhouse Rachel East Midlands 2 44.59m
Williams Claire Lboro Students 3 40.30m
Badham Natalie British Police 4 33.51m
Javelin - Guest Event
Collinson Debbie British Police 34.02m
Davis Hayley British Police 31.55m
Match Scores:
Men
1 LSAC 169pts, 2 East Midlands 74pts, 3 British Police 72pts
Women
1 LSAC 136pts, 2 East Midlands 124pts, 3 British Police 22pts
Overall:
1 LSAC 305pts, 2 East Midlands 198pts, 3 British Police 94pts

Saturday 30th May 2009

LOUGHBOROUGH’s Robbie Grabarz was amongst a selection of British athletes and coaches treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet high jump legend Dick Fosbury at the University earlier this month (16th May) at an event put on by UKA.

Olympic gold medallist Fosbury, who revolutionized high jumping by inventing a back-first technique now known as the Fosbury Flop, spent the afternoon talking about his amazing career to the trilled audience who use his method every day.

62 year old Fosbury, who was born in Portland USA, said: “It’s been really fun talking with these young athletes and working with their coaches because everywhere I go people have questions about technique and ask about guidance. I’m not a coach but I was a jumper, I was an athlete so I can explain to the athletes what it feels like to be in the proper position and speak to the coaches about technique.

“I hopefully want to inspire them. It’s been a great day, I really admire what the British team is doing and wish them all the luck in the world in 2012.”

Fosbury, who began to develop his technique at 16 years old and was the only athlete to use it during the Olympic Games in Mexico where he won a gold medal in 1968, highlighted flaws in his style to the audience showing that any technique is a working process: “I didn’t use my arm to drive. These days they use one or two arms to drive and transfer momentum. Also the head is now pushed all the way back to promote an extreme arch. ”

The audience also heard from Olympic high jump silver medallist and ex world record holder Dorothy Tyler, who won a silver medal at the last London Olympic Games which was held in 1948. Now 89 years old, she spoke to the audience in Loughborough about life as an athlete pre and post the second World War.

Tyler set countless British and World records using the scissor technique and joked with Fosbury that she had lost those titles because of him.

She said: “I have had a lovely day meeting these athletes and coaches. They should all be grateful to come to places like this with good facilities and have coaches. I never had that. I used to train on a Sunday morning with no coach, and then turn up at competitions and just jump. I never had a run up marked or anything, I didn’t know how.”

Top high jump coach Terry Lomax, who is based at the UKA High Performance Centre at Loughborough University, took his training group to the event. Talking about Dick Fosbury he said: “He’s a legend, there’s not a lot of people who have a technique named after themselves so to meet a true legend of the sport is quite amazing.

“He spoke about where he came from and how the event evolved and how his technique evolved. It seems almost straightforward, the process of how he came to be where he was.

“It’s very interesting, I have met him before and the first thing I did was to thank him for not having to do the straddle high jump as an athlete myself! I think there is quite a few people doing high jump now who wouldn’t be doing it if he hadn’t invented the Fosbury Flop.”

Friday 29th May 2009

RYAN McLeod opened his 2009 outdoor season with a solid victory over 1500m at the Nike (BMC) British Milers Club Gold Standard meeting at Stretford on Tuesday (26th May).

The 23-year-old Loughborough graduate showing the benefits of his recent spell of warm weather training in Font Romeu clocked a time of 3mins 49.41secs to finish five seconds clear of Belgrave Harrier Steve Sharp (3:55.21) at the Trafford Athletic Stadium.

McLeod was part of the UK Athletics official endurance training camp held at Font Romeu where he was joined by fellow Loughborough athletes European indoor 3,000m 6th placer Nick McCormick, UK steeplechase record-holder Helen Clitheroe and European 800m bronze medallist Becky Lyne.
Men 1500 A Race
1-3:49.41-Ryan McLeod-Loughborough Uni/Tipton Harriers
2-3:55.21-Steve Sharp-Belgrave
3-3:58.10-Stuart King-Mansfield/Leeds Metropolitan Uni
4-3:58.11-Russell Best-New Marske
5-3:58.31-James Mee-Mansfield/Birmingham Uni
6-3:59.07-James Kraft-Scarborough/Sheffield Hallam Uni
7-4:02.17-Stephen Bennett-Preston
8-4:03.07-Craig Gundersen-Liverpool H/Birmingham Uni
9-4:06.35-Callum Cullen-Owls Leicester
10-4:08.81-Andy Nixon-Stockport
11-4:12.53-Kyle Fowler-Staffordshire Moorlands

www.britishmilersclub.com/results/results.aspx?meetingid=26393