Christian Olsson, 2011, adidas Grand Prix NYC,  photo by PhotoRun.net

Christian Olsson, the 2003 World Champion, and 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump loved his discipline. He sustained over six surgeries to stay jumping, finishing sixth in the 2011 World Outdoor Champs, with a jump of 17.23m.

Christian Olsson, 2011, World Champs, Daegu,  photo by PhotoRun.net

His best jump ever was 17.83m. This was the world indoor record in 2004. 

Christian Olsson, World indoor record, 17.83m, 2004, photo by PhotoRun.net

He won the gold medal in Athens with a jump of 17.79. With three World Champ golds, one silver, an Olympic gold and two European championship gold, Olsson spent two years recovering from injures, in 2007 to 2009.

Christian Olsson, 2004 Athens, gold medal, triple jump,
photo by PhotoRun.net

Olsson was a world class high jumper as well as a triple jumper, with a pb of 2.24m outdoors and 2.28m indoors.

Christian Olsson, 2006 European Championships, photo by PhotoRun.net

Christian Olsson was always a thoughtful interview, he will be missed. Per EME News, Olsson sustained an injury recently as he was training for the 2012 Olympic Games.

OLSSON
RETIRES

STOCKHOLM
(SWE): 2004 olympic winner in the triple jump Christian Olsson announced his
retirement after his latest injury sustained at a 2012 Olympic Games
preparation camp in the United States. Olsson who began showing his vast
potential just before the 2000 Millenium was celebrated, became World champion
in succession to Great Britain’s Jonathan Edwards his great friend and rival in
2003 and also succeeded him the following year as Olympic Games gold medalist.
Writes David Martin.

BOLT
FOR WELTKLASSE

ZURICH
(SUI): The biggest star of current athletics sprinter Usain Bolt confirmed his
first post Games period appearance. He will compete at the Samsung Diamond
League Weltklasse Zürich meeting on August 30. He has not decided on which
distances he will run in his fifth appearance at the Swiss meeting. The
Jamaican before his rise to fame placed runner-up in the men’s 200m at the
Letzigrund stadium in 2006 and 2007. He then went on to win over 100m in 2008
and again the following year. „It will be great to be back at Weltklasse
Zürich,” said 25-year-old Bolt. „I have great memories of the fantastic
organisation and passionate crowd.” Zurich will stage 100 m and 200 m, with the
longer event being the SDL Final. Meet director Patrick Magyar added: “2012
will be a very special edition of our meeting. Zurich will be held 18 days
after the Olympic Games – an ideal date in the outdoor competition calendar.”
Bolt will now compete at 3 meets in Europe (Ostrava, Rome, Oslo) followed by
Jamaican Trials. During the pre Games period so far his only confirmed
appearance is at the Herculis Meet in Monaco (200 m) on July 20. Zurich starts
on Tuesday the ticket sales.

EATON
AND DIX FOR CANADIAN MEETS

OTTAWA
(CAN): The National Track League’s Harry Jerome International Track Classic
(June 10) and Donovan Bailey Invitational (June 16) made major announcements
today regarding elite athlete participation. Vancouver’s Harry Jerome confirmed
that American Ashton Eaton will compete at Swangard Stadium, earlier this
season Eaton set a world record at the World Indoor Championships.
Edmonton’s Donovan Bailey Invitational confirmed the participation of sprint
sensation Walter Dix. Dix will join Jamaican Yohan Blake in Edmonton as a major
headliner. Both competitions are part of Athletics Canada’s National Track
League series which in 2012 will also make stops in Victoria, Moncton, Halifax
and Toronto.

BEKELE
WILL RACE

DOHA
(QAT): Ethiopia’s double Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele spoke of his frequent
despair that injury had brought an end to his career. The 29-year-old multiple
world champion and record holder suffered a succession of calf and knee
injuries after securing his second Olympic 10,000 meters title in Bejing four
years ago, where he also won the 5,000m, and said he had faced up to the
possibility that he would no longer be able to compete at the top level again
many times over the last four years. „I also want to thank my manager, Jos
Hermens, who has been helping me more and more,” he said. Bekele clocked
7:40.00 in the 3000 m in Doha and plans more races in Shanghai (5000 m),
Hengelo (10 000 m) and Eugene (5000 m). He needs to achieve times among the top
three in Ethiopia in order to qualify for London Games. „He is starting after
long period of no competition, he will be back in his top shape after more
races,” said Jos Hermens.

OTHER NEWS

MURCIA
(ESP): Spanish walker Juan Manuel Molina announced end of his career which
lasted for 20 years at age of 33. He dnf-ed the 50 km race at World Cup in
Saransk. Molina has indicated that his body can not handle the physical demands
anymore. He won world bronze in 2005 in Helsinki at the 20 km and European
bronze in 2002 in Munich at the same distance.

GOTEBORG
(SWE): Göteborgsvarvet, a half-marathon in Sweden, was the world’s largest
HM in 2012 with 62,513 entrants and 44,094 finishers.

LONDON
(GBR): Olympic revenues are set to smash through the USD 7 billion (GBP 4
billion/ E 5 billion) barrier in the period including the London 2012 Games,
confounding the economic gloom afflicting much of Europe including Greece,
cradle of the Movement. Calculations made by insidethegames suggest that the
final figure for revenues derived from broadcasting, sponsorship, tickets and
licensing could reach, or even exceed, USD 7.6 billion (GBP 4.7 billion/E 5.9
billion). This would be around 40 per cent more than generated in 2005-2008,
itself a record. The final figure will fluctuate somewhat, depending on
the exchange rate used to convert London 2012 revenues into United States
dollars. Earnings from London 2012 ticketing and licensing have also yet to be
finalised.

MILANO
(ITA): AIPS website writes that second sporting life of Italian shot putter
Assunta Legnante will start in London. Her first one stopped in Beijing. Her
sporting life that is, as Assunta Legnante has always lived through sport. Now
she plans to compete at the Paralympics, she has been blind for six months. “I
can perceive light in my left eye but nothing more.” Assunta was born with
congenital glaucoma in both eyes. “Using lenses, I always saw better with
my right eye and saw very little with my left.” She wasn’t allowed to take part
in the Athens Olympics and the subsequent Mediterranean Games in 2005 because
of the increase in ocular pressure. Assunta competed in the Absolute Paralympic
Athletics this past weekend in Turin, the results of which will also be used to
qualify for London. She fielded in shot-put and javelin and beat the former
record of 11.84m not once but twice, with two amazing throws of 13.24 and 13.27
meters.

GOTZIS
(AUT):World junior champion 2010 and European junior champion 2011 Dafne
Schippers is confirmed for Gotzis Combined Events meeting on May 26-27. Also
competing from Netherlands Remona Fransen. For men decathlon Brazilian
Luiz-Alberto De Araujo is in the start list with Carlos Chinin.

DALLAS
(USA): On Sunday, 75 days before the start of the 2012 London Olympics, the
three day 2012 USOC Media Summit kicked off in Dallas with some of America’s
2012 Olympic hopefuls telling their stories to over 500 members of the
international media. Track and field stars present were Allyson Felix, Wallace
Spearmon, Lashinda Demus, Trey Hardee, Jillian Camarena-Williams, Brittney
Reese, Hyleas Fountain, and Sanya Richards-Ross. Felix confirmed to reporters
the 200m remains her biggest goal for this year’s Olympics, but added she might
consider the 100m/200m double instead of the 200m/400m double. Richards-Ross on
her turn explained that she is again feeling very healthy and added that she
now believes the diagnosis of Behcet’s disease to be incorrect and she is off
the Behcet’s medication. She and her coach Clyde Hart however do not want to
say what the new diagnosis is. Trey Hardee spoke about his excitement to attain
a US medal sweep in the men’s decathlon, while Lashinda Demus addressed
the fact she believes track and field is a dying sport.

DALLAS
(USA): The United States Olympic Committee and Allstate Insurance Company
announced the members of the Class of 2012 who will be inducted into the U.S.
Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate during a press conference at
the Team USA Media Summit in Dallas. Athletes among the list of inductees
include Gail Devers and Dan O’Brien as well as coach Ed Temple reports PR
Newswire.

LONDON
(GBR): Hannah England, Britain’s world 1500 meters silver medallist, has been
named as ambassador for the official licensed Team GB sun care products in
partnership with manufacturers Garnier Ambre Solaire. The announcement, which
coincided with Sun Awareness Week, means England will become the face of the
Team GB sun care products which are on sale reports Insidethegames.

RESULTS

MANHATTAN
(USA, May 13): Big 12 Championships registered Prezel Hardy winning the 100 m
in windy 10.03 (+3.4) and 200 m in legal PB 20.33 (+1.5). Trinidad´s Deon
Lendore in 45.13 surprisingly beat at the 400 m Gil Roberts (45.16). New national
record for Trinidad as Wayne Davis II won the 110 m hurdles in 13.37 (+1.8)
over Shane Brathwaite of Barbados (13.46. PB). Michael Stigler improved to
49.45 to win the 400 m hurdles. In relays Texas AM fast 39.00 and 3:03.04. In
women sprints Ashley Collier improved to 11.01 (+1.9) in the 100 m and lifetime
best also for second Allison Peter of US Virgin Islands 11.17. In the 200 m
Paris Daniels in 22.89 (+0.9) beat Collier also 22.89. Diamond Dixon got
personal best 51.09 to win the 400 m. Texas AM clocked 42.99 to win women 4×100
m but in the 4×400 m Kansas achieved 3:28.10 over Texas 3:30.32.

EUGENE
(USA, May 13): Another talented female sprinter showed her speed at PAC 12
Champs. English Gardner won the 100 m in 11.00 (+2.5) and 200 m in 22.82 (+1.3).
Georganne Moline again improved at the 400 m hurdles (55.12) and Brigetta
Barrett cleared 194 in the high jump. Good men sprints here. Canadian Aaron
Brown beat in the 100 m Briton James Alaka (10.18 to 10.22, +2.0) and in the
200 m the order was changed (Alaka 20.45 and Brown 20.55, +1.7). For both
personal bests. Bryshon Nellum clocked 45.20 in the 400 m and Amaechi Morton
48.95 in the 400 m hurdles.

BATON
ROUGE (USA, May 13): At the SEC Championships fast 100 m for Kimberlyn Duncan
10.96 PB (+1.9) and fifth fastest of the year. Second Semoy Hackett of Trinidad
11.10. Duncan won also the 200 m in windy 22.12 (+2.7). Ellen Wortham clocked
55.55 at the 400 m hurdles and usual fast times by LSU in relays 43.27 and
3:29.25. In men events good pole vault for Andrew Irwin 572 and world
participant Tony McQuay clocked 45.48 to win the 400 m. Keenan Brock won the
100 m in 10.16 (+1.6) and Isiah Young the 200 m with 20.32w (+3.7). Florida
beat in 3:03.44 the LSU team (3:03.80) in the 4×400 m.

NEW
ORLEANS (USA, May 13): Octavious Freeman the talented sprinter improved at
Conference USA Championships in the 100 m to 11.09 (+1.5). Errol Nolan got
200/400 double with 20.78 (+1.7) and 45.56.

GREENSBORO
(USA, May 13): Ruddy Zang-Milama sprinted to 11.25 (+1.6) at the 100 m during
Aggie Tar Heel Classic meet. Bahamian Ramon Gittens won the 100 m in 10.28
(+0.1) and Jamaal Torrance clocked 45.94 in the 400 m.

SANTANDER
(ESP, May 12): Spanish record holder Ruth Beitia started the season with 190
clearance at a local meet (she then tried at 195).

SAN
ANTONIO (USA, May 13): Antoine Adams of St. Kitts achieved here 20.65 (-3.4) in
the 200 m.

KINGSTON
(JAM, May 12): Jamaican 400 m runner Edino Steele improved at All-Comers meet
his 200 m best to 20.58.

GIFU
(JPN, May 12): Kenyan John Thuo got 27:59.50 in the 10 000 m at the Coroporate
team Championships.

TOKYO
(JPN, May 12): Genki Dean achieved 81.54 in javelin at the Kanto College
Championships.

MADISON
(USA, May 13): Big 10 Championships – Jamaican Andrew Riley got the expected
double 10.39 (+0.7) and 13.64 (0.0). Kind Butler won the 200 m in 20.51 (+0.8)
but in the 400 m fast 45.22 PB for last year junior Brady Gehret. Casimir
Loxsom won the 800 m in 1:46.12. 400 m hurdles lifetime bests for another 1992
born duo Miles Ukaoma 49.23 and Ali Arastu 49.43. Joe Kovacs improved in the
shot put to 20.85. On the women side Ashley Spencer clocked excellent double
200/400 with 22.99 (+1.2) and 51.02 (both PB) and Christina Manning posted fast
12.71 (+0.8) over the hurdles.

GLASGOW
(GBR, May 13): British runner Freya Murray just three weeks after taking part
in the Virgin London Marathon won the Ignis Asset Management 10 kilometers road
race here in 33:36.

MANNHEIM
(GER, May 13): At a DLV combined events qualification meeting in Mannheim
world junior silver medalist and European junior champion Sara Gambetta has
managed to qualify for this summer’s IAAF World junior championships in
Barcelona. With a total of 5409 points Gambetta is set to defend her medal
in Barcelona. Also Aron Schreiner managed to standard for Barcelona with a total
of 7254 points in the junior decathlon.

ADDIS
ABABA (ETH, May 9-13): IAAF informs about Ethiopian Championships were the top
runners are not competing. Highlight was women steeple where Hiwot Ayalew
posted world leading 9:34.6 what is very special at the altitude here.
Newcomers Buze Driba and Muktar Endris were among the impressive winners in the
women’s and men’s 5000m at the 41st edition of the event. Endris clocked
14:04.0 and Drib 16:04.7. Israel Aweke won the 800 m in 1:46.5 and Abiyot
Abinet the 1500 m in 3:41.5. Other winners were Tebelu Zewde in the 10 000 m
(29:09.0) and Legese Lemiso in the steeple (8:56.8). Marathon runner Aberu
Kebede won the 10 000 m title in 32:48.6 ahead of Mamitu Daska 32:54.9.

CHONBURI
(THA, May 14): Third and last Asian GP series meet saw Chinese Taipei team
winning the 4×100 m in 39.23 over Hongkong 39.27 and China 39.31. In windy
conditions Abdulaziz Almandeel of Kuweit won the 110 m hurdles in 13.62 (-2.3)
over Chinese Jiang Fan 13.78. Sajad Ahangar of Iran surprised with 46.31 win in
the 400 m. In women events Vietnam´s Truong Thanh Hang won for third time in
the series the 800 m in 2:02.35 and China the relay 44.49. Natalya Asanova of
Uzbekistan got 56.85 in the 400 m hurdles. Her teammate Svetlana Radzivil
cleared 190 in the high jump and Marestella Torres of Philipines leaped to 662
(+1.4) in the long jump.