by Alfonz Juck
The 2024 Diamond League begins tomorrow. The host city is Xiamen, China. This is the first time in a decade that Doha, Qatar, was not the debut event. In fact, China will host the first two events on April 20 in Xiamen and April 27 in Suzhou/Shanghai.
Thanks to EME News, one of our media partners, we have quotes from the top stars who will perform in Xiamen. In North America, you can watch the meet on Peacock at 7 AM Eastern, 6 AM Central, and 4 AM Pacific. Also, in the afternoon, CNBC will repeat the event!
XIAMEN NEWS
XIAMEN (CHN): “Competition is good, our rivalries are good, it forces us to show up every time on our A-game,” Danielle Williams said. “It’s April, so I’m looking forward to competing, seeing where we are against this fast group of female hurdlers.” Olympic winner Jasmine Camacho-Quinn said she was unsure of her fitness: “Honestly, I’ll see where it’s at tomorrow. I have time, and I won’t try to be in tip-top shape so early. I’m taking it day by day, month by month. The biggest goal is the Olympics, so every race is used as preparation for that.” She also replied about the possibility of breaking 12 seconds. “It will come soon.”
XIAMEN (CHN): The men’s 110m hurdles also features the defending Olympic champion in Hansle Parchment. The Jamaican has good memories of Xiamen, winning here last year in 12.96. “That was an awesome race. It was warm, the crowd was hyping us up, and I’m looking forward to making this a good one,” he said.
XIAMEN (CHN): “It was a great meet. Hopefully, I can replicate that kind of performance,” said Christian Coleman, who won in Xiamen last year with 9.83.“I felt good about winning, but I knew I had a lot more in the tank if we were to taper off and specialize indoors,” he said. “After that we went back into a training block, lifting heavy weights, doing some longer workouts, now I feel like my legs are coming off that and starting to feel pretty good so hopefully I can start the year off on a good note.” Fred Kerley joked that he planned to do the 100m, 200m and 400m at the US Olympic Trials, he admitted his plan is actually a 100m-200m double, just like Coleman, adding: “I keep the main thing the main thing, and right now that’s the 100m.”
XIAMEN (USA): Marileidy Paulino, the reigning world 400m champion, said training has been “very hard” this year “to make sure I get to the Olympics in my best form and to have a great performance for myself and my country.”“I don’t know if I can do 48 (seconds); it would be nice, but 49 would be a good sign.” She added that she hopes to break the world record 47.60 this year. “If God allows it,” she said.
Budapest, Hungary
August 19-27, 2023, by Kevin Morris
XIAMEN (CHN): “Everything’s been on schedule, as it should be,” Mondo Duplantis said on Friday. “It was a short indoor season, short and sweet, and I could get the job done when it most counted. It’s been a good training cycle since World Indoors. I’m feeling good.” “It’s a little hard to predict, but I guess that’s the fun part of it,” he said before his first competition in China.
Gold Label track & field meet
May 26, 2023, Los Angeles, USA, by Kevin Morris
XIAMEN (CHN): “I had plans to compete indoors but then I had some issues so I decided not to risk it,” said Mutaz Essa Barshim. “But now I’m feeling healthy again, training is good so I’m happy with where I am. It’s a very important season. I want to push myself (in Xiamen). I want to jump high. How high? We’ll see. I want to put on a good show.”
