by Alfonz Juck
LaShawn Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.netPREFONTAINE NEWS
EUGENE (USA): Olympic and World gold medalist LaShawn Merritt has won an unprecedented five times in the Prefontaine Classic 400, but this year’s one-lapper has exciting fresh talent ready to challenge him. From Botswana two youngsters Karabo Sibanda with Baboloki Thebe, European champion Matthew Hudson-Smith, Indoor king Pavel Maslak, Luguelin Santos of Dominican Republic and from US elite Tony McQuay and Vernon Norwood.
EUGENE (USA): Women 100 m hurdles at Prefontaine Classic on Saturday will be like US elite vs Belarus European Indoor champion Alina Talay. In top shape mainly Queen Harrison with Sharika Nelvis and Jasmin Stowers. Also running Christina Manning, Olympic medalists Kristi Castlin and Nia Ali with former Olympic winner Dawn Harper-Nelson.
EUGENE (USA): Olympic winner in javelin Croatian sensation Sara Kolak started on Tuesday her first trip to Prefontaine Classic. But not first to Eugene, she was bronze medalists at World U20 championships in Eugene in 2014. “My preparation went well, with my coach Andrej Hajnsek we did one, even maybe two steps forward. But the most important thing is to stay healthy and be ready for the top championships European U23 in Bydgoszcz and World championships in London. But as always the Diamond League opener in Eugene is also important. We go step by step, I hope to show my shape on Friday,” said Kolak. She will face 9 competitors headed by World record holder Barbora Spotakova, European champion Tatyana Khaladovich, World champion Katharina Molitor, DL winner 2016 Madara Palameika and fresh Asian record holder Liu Shiying.
