3 more World Champions set for adidas Grand Prix
Matchups feature Felix v. Simpson, Mulaudzi v. Kaki, world’s top 3 400m hurdlers
NEW YORK CITY (May 4, 2011) – A trio of reigning World Champions highlight the latest roster of top athletes heading to New York for the 2011 adidas Grand Prix on June 11, organizers announced today.
Allyson Felix, three-time World Champion at 200 meters; Kerron Clement, two-time champion in the 400-meter hurdles; and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, the surprise 2009 victor at 800 meters, will all be making their return to Icahn Stadium. In its seventh year as one of the premier track-and-field events in the world, the adidas Grand Prix on Randall’s Island is the sixth stop on the international Samsung Diamond League circuit. Tickets are available at the event website, www.adidasgrandprix.com, or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.
Felix, also a two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time World Championships relay gold medalist, was ranked #1 in the world at 200 meters in 2010. She will be challenged by Sherone Simpson of Jamaica, the reigning Olympic silver medalist at 100 meters and 2006 Commonwealth Games 200-meter champion; Shalonda Solomon, the 2006 NCAA Champion and #3 in the world last year; andBianca Knight, the 2008 NCAA Indoor Champion and collegiate indoor 200-meter record-holder.
Last year, Felix was the Diamond League Champion at both 200 and 400 meters. The 25-year-old American superstar is set to run the 400 meters this Friday in Doha, when the 14-meet Samsung Diamond League kicks off its second season of competition.
Clement, who adds a 2008 Olympic silver medal to his pair of world titles, will be joined by Javier Culson of Puerto Rico andBershawn “Batman” Jackson, the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist. Together, the three swept the medal stand at the 2009 World Championships, respectively winning gold, silver and bronze, and finished last season as the three top-ranked hurdlers in the world – this time with Jackson leading the way, followed by Clement and Culson.
Mulaudzi, the South African World Champion whose long career has also included a silver medal from the 2004 Olympics, will face 21-year-old sensation Abubaker Kaki of Sudan. The two-time World Indoor Champion at 800 meters, Kaki’s time of 1:42.23 made him the second-fastest 800-meter runner in the world last year and fifth-fastest in history. In 2008, his remarkable 1:42.69 at the Bislett Games in Oslo was a World Junior Record and the fastest time in the world that year.
The nine new athletes join previously announced stars Tyson Gay, Blanka Vlašić, Jeremy Wariner and Jessica Ennis – all ranked #1 in the world last year – and four-time Paralympic gold medalist “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius as the fields for the 2011 edition of the adidas Grand Prix begin to take shape.
All of the latest news, photos and additional information on the adidas Grand Prix can be found at www.adidasgrandprix.com and the event’s pages on Facebook and Twitter. Use the hashtag #agpnyc when referencing or searching for the event.
In addition, media accreditation is now available at www.adidasGrandPrix.com, under Media. The application deadline is Wednesday, June 1. The adidas Grand Prix, part of the Visa Championship Series, will begin at 1 p.m. on June 11.
About Icahn Stadium
Icahn Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility on Randall’s Island featuring a 400-meter Mondo track and covered seating for spectators, is the premier outdoor track-and-field venue in New York City. It was built by the Randall’s Island Sports Foundation (RISF) in partnership with New York City Department of Parks. The facility is programmed, operated and maintained by RISF.
Contact
Sara Hunninghake
media@globalathletics.com
917.972.3656