by Stuart Weir
Now that’s a selfie! @NethaneelMB, @Taylored2jump, @hellen_obiri, @thomasroehler, @KatStefanidi, @mutazbarshim and @trackjenny, photo by @stuartweir, @athleticsafrica, @EuroAthletics, @runblogrun, @theshoeaddicts, @euronews, @Diamond_League, @BritAthletics , @usatf,#dohaDL
The Diamond League 2018 will open for 2018 in Doha, Qatar on Friday, May 4, 2018. The Presser, which we posted at https://www.runblogrun.com/2018/05/2018-doha-diary-the-official-doha-dl-presser-from-iaaf-diamond-league.html, covered many topics.
Our intrepid traveler, J. Stuart Weir, was paid the big bucks, (well, Sterling, to be entirely accurate) to ask the difficult questions. The so-called difficult questions will also make you smile, knowing, that like the fans who follow them, elite athletes have events and athletes that they admire.
Doha Diamond League Press conference
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, co emcee, Doha DL Presser, photo by J. Stuart Weir
The official press conference for the Doha Diamond league followed the same pattern as last year, open to the public who were also invited to ask questions and located in a shopping Mall. The event was MCed by two athletes, Jenny Simpson and Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake.
Jenny Simpson, co emcee of Doha DL Presser, photo by J. Stuart Weir
Alongside the more serious questions, RunBlogRun’s intrepid reporter asked the questions that were on everyone’s lips. The first question was to Mutaz Barshim. I asked him to confirm that he really had taken the Birmingham Diamond League bar home with him. He confirmed that he had, adding that in future he planned to collect all bars over which he had made a 2.40 meter jump. He had it in his house and wanted it on his bedroom wall. Enthused by the idea he suggested that all athletes should do the same. He turned to Christian Taylor suggesting that Christian take home some sand every time he did a big jump. Thomas Rohler, he suggested, could take some grass from where the javelin landed!
Mutaz Essa Barshim, London 2017, photo from Doha Diamond League
At the end of the conference athletes were asked to nominate another disciple – quite different from their main one – that they would like to try. These were the answers.
Nathaneel Mitchell-Blake
I can’t do pole vault because I am scared of heights. I will say long jump because I used to do long jump when I was younger. I have decent speed but will have to work on my take-off and getting in the air. I don’t think I will be changing any time soon though.
Thomas Rohler
My choice is the high jump. I did it when I was younger. I like the rhythm. I like flying high with my own body-weight. Like a javelin flying high and far, I could be flying high.
Mutaz Barshim
For me it is definitely the 400 hurdles. I haven’t discussed it with my coach yet though.
Katerina Stefanidi
My dad did triple jump and I grew up watching the triple jump. I am a big fan of Christian Taylor. I love all the field events but grew up watching the triple jump. I think it would be the only other event I would be any good at.
Christian Taylor
Despite my size I would do shot-put or javelin. I have a real passion for both. I love to watch it when someone gets it right. I have long arms so perhaps I could try the discus too. I just need to gain some size.
Hellen Obiri
For me the marathon. I admire people who run marathon.
Jenny Simpson
I would like to throw the javelin because it would be great for someone of my size to throw a weapon of war.
The Diamond League trophy, photo courtesy of Matthew Quine, IAAF Diamond League
