Bolt to lead J’can cast at Ostrava Golden Spike
JAMAICA’s Yohan Blake, who has already set a world leading time in the event this year, will be among the headline acts running the men’s 200 metres at next Tuesday’s Ostrava Golden Spike IAAF World Challenge meeting in the Czech Republic on May 31.
Blake, who opened his season with 20.33 seconds at the UTech Classic in Kingston on April 16, has impressed organisers who believe he could come close to the 19.83 second meet record set by world record holder, Usain Bolt in 2008.
The Jamaican, who has a personal best of 19.78 seconds over the distance said that he was confident of doing well.
“I am very happy with my training and progress so far this year,” Blake said on www.iaaf.org. “I feel confident, and I hope to remain healthy and injury-free for the season. I look forward to competing in Ostrava for the track and field fans there. The 200 metres is still my favourite event. I will be going all out to set a very fast time in continuing my preparation for the 2011 World Championships this August.”
Blake will have company from his Racer’s Track Club to offer motivation in Ostrava.
Bolt will headline the men’s 100m, which will also include Daniel Bailey of Antigua.
Several other Jamaicans, including Steve Mullings and reigning Commonwealth Games champion, Lerone Clarke are also down for action in the blue riband event.
The double sprint world record holder, Bolt, in the meantime, after a lengthy delay to the start of his season, has said that he is fit and ready for this year’s IAAF Samsung Diamond League, which he begins with a meeting in Rome on Thursday.
“I am fit and ready to start my season,” Bolt stated in an official release which was issued in response to queries about his health in light of successive visits to German doctor Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt, for treatment and consultation on his well-documented scoliosis condition.
“It’s (scoliosis) not as serious as it sounds but, for me, as a track athlete, it can be serious.”
“I work really hard to keep it away but, of course, it’s still there,” Bolt said.
The women’s 100m in Ostrava will feature former world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and the Bahamas’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie.