by Larry EderWhat an esteemed group at the presser!
Aries Merritt is the 2012 London gold medalist, and 110m world record holder (12.80, September 7, 2012). In 2015, Aries Merritt won the bronze medal at the Beijing World Champs and promptly headed back to the US, for a kidney transplant from his sister. Aries had developed a hereditary disease that destroys kidneys. A second surgery was needed to position the kidney better. In 2016, Aries took fourth in the US Olympic Trials.
Aries Merritt, 2017 USATF champs, photo by PhotoRun.net
2107 has worked much better, as Aries Merritt is on the 2017 World Championships team. ” I am racing myself into fitness, and then, training in Birmingham prior to London World Championships. An amazing competitor, Aries Merritt must have wanted to come back, as the virtually insurmountable wall he had to climb to return to fitness has been inspiring.
Elaine Thompson, Pre Classic 2017, photo by PhotoRun.net
Elaine Thompson won the 100m and 200m in Rio last year. In London, she will only run the 100 meters in London 2017, and the relay. The 200 meters will have to wait. Thompson is very relaxed, and gives off an aura of being a bit preoccupied. However, that is a bit of any act. Thompson is a fierce competitor and provides a good interview.
Dafne Schippers, LausanneDL, photo by PhotoRun.net
Dafne Schippers is focused on the goal of double medals in London. With Tori Bowie and Elaine Thompson not doubling, Schippers will have a better shot at that goal. Competitive, with huge drive, Dafne Schippers is pretty tough competitor. Her 200 meters in Lausanne, where she battled Marie Jose Ta Lou to the finish line was a convincer for me. Dafne Schippers, under coach Rana Reider, will be ready for London 2017.
