by Alfonz Juck
Omar McLeod, photo by PhotoRun.net
DOHA NEWS
DOHA (QAT): LaShawn Merritt believes Michael Johnson’s world record of 43.18 could be broken this summer. “This year is going to be fast, it makes the event a lot more interesting. Is the world record in danger? I believe so, with so many athletes running in the 43 low,” he said. Merritt hopes a new diet will be the key to challenging the likes of Wayde van Niekerk and Kirani James later this summer. “I want to stay sharp, be ready for the US Trials and always improve. I am training hard, I am on a more strict diet that I’ve ever been on and I keep learning more. I am more passionate than ever and there’s a lot of untapped potential in me,” he said. From organisers.
DOHA (QAT): World high jump champion Derek Drouin is looking forward to returning to competition in the Doha Diamond League on Friday where he will face the likes of Mutaz Essa Barshim, Robbie Grabarz and Erik Kynard. “I suffered from some injuries which prevented me from competing indoors. I’m excited about being in Doha because this is the first proper competition for me this year. I roughly know at what level I’m at, but it’s still exciting to finally have a go at a competition. I’m slowly getting into the competitive spirit,” he said. From organisers.
DOHA (QAT): Omar McLeod didn’t expect to run 13.08 for the 110m hurdles at the Drake Relays last weekend. “I really was kind of surprised knowing that it was my season opener, and with the weather really cold and windy. I know that it will be completely different on Friday,” he said. Similarly, he didn’t expect to run 9.99 for 100m to become the first athlete in history to break 10-seconds for 100m and 13-seconds for the 110m hurdles. “It was my first 100 in five or six years. I didn’t know what I was doing out there. I didn’t even know what to do in the last 20 metres. I was over-striding, and was wondering, ‘What the heck is going on?’ Because it feels so awkward when you don’t have barriers in the way,” he said. McLeod will face team-mate Hansle Parchment and 2013 world champion David Oliver on Friday. From organisers.
DOHA (QAT): Members of Qatar’s Girls’ National team spent part of Wednesday afternoon meeting with international sprint stars at Doha’s landmark Museum of Islamic Art. Among them Tori Bowie, Dafne Schippers and Veronica Campbell-Brown.
DOHA (QAT): Main press conference on Thursday will be streamed live, guests IAAF President Sebastian Coe and Asian Athletics President Dahlan Al Hamad with world 200m champion Dafne Schippers, world and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor, two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and Asian 100m and 200m record-holder Femi Ogunode.
