by Larry Eder
The NIKE Pre-Classic pressers have truly evolved.
Katherine Merry and Paul Swangard were the co-hosts. A large crowd of media attended, and Media Director Jeff Oliver introduced the event. All sessions were recorded on my iPhone and shared LIVE on Facebook. Sorry for my arm moving.
Katie Moon, Olympic champion, World Champion (twice), Women’s Pole Vault
Katie Moon is the Olympic champion, the World Champion, and one of the most ferocious competitors in any event. Katie has spoken to RunBlogRun on many occasions, with Stuart Weir, on the challenges of being an elite athlete and on being a World and Olympic Champion! Katie has had some Achilles problems, and this is a bit of a shakedown cruise. Katie will be ready for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and Paris 2024.
Oh, and remember, the Katie Moon Pole Vault Classic is June 8, 2024, at Olmstead High School in Olmstead, Ohio!
To read more about Katie Moon, check out here: https://www.runblogrun.com/2023/11/katie-moon-thoughts-on-2023.html
Joe Kovacs, two-time World Champion (two-time WC silver, one bronze), two-time Olympic silver, Men’s Shot Put
“Hitting the mulch”
Joe Kovacs has a shot put ring in his backyard. He knows it is a long throw when he hits the mulch! Joe told the media today.
Joe Kovacs hit 22.93m last week at the USATF LA Grand Prix. He also had five throws over 22 meters last week, and ANY of his six throws would have won the Men’s shot put.
Kovacs is fiercely competitive, and he knows that he is completing his throws and that he is fit. What can he do in Pre tomorrow? Joe loves competing at Hayward Field, and in this podcast, you will hear him say, “There is definitely Hayward Magic.”
Joe Kovacs has a personal best of 23.23 meters. He will compete against Tom Walsh, a former World champion and Olympic bronze medalist (twice). They will be battling each other. Remember, Kovacs, Walsh, and Crouser were in the Greatest Shot Put competition in history, the World Championships in Doha 2019, where all three men were over 22.90 meters.
Ryan Crouser had a torn pec and then bothered his elbow. He pulled out of the shot put to train solely for the US Olympic Trials (June 21-30). Joe Kovacs also has that as a goal, and Ryan and Joe representing the US in Paris would be the dream!
Jorinde Van Klinken, Netherlands shot put/discus talent, former Duck, talks about the throws.
Jorinde Van Klinken has risen through the European Junior Championships and U-23 ranks.
In 2017, Jorinde took second in the European U 20 shot put and sixth in the discus.
In 2018, World U 20, Joridne was third in the shot put and seventh in the discus.
In 2019, Jorinde took first in the European U 20 shot put. In 2022, Jorinde took first in the European U23
discus throw and 4th in the World Athletics Champs in Eugene, discus! Jorinde followed that up with a third in the
shot put and a fourth in the discus in Munich in August 2022 at the European Champs.
2023 saw 9th in the shot put and 4th in the discus in Budapest. 2024 saw a sixteenth in the shot put at the World Indoors.
Jorinde has dreams, “No woman has won the discus and shot put since 1969 at the Europeans!” With the Europeans in Rome, June 7-12, 2024,
Jorinde has a lot on her plate.
Jorinde took her MBA at Oregon and finished her eligibility in Eugene, so she knows “Hayward Magic”.
Shanieka Rickets, Jamaica, Triple Jump
Shanieka Ricketts is a two-time World Champ silver medalist in the triple jump outdoors (2019 and 2022), and she placed 4th in Hungary in the 2023 World Champs. Shanieka set her PB of 15.03m while placing second in the Diamond League finals last year in Eugene. She also won two of her three Triple Jump NCAA titles in Eugene, so she is familiar with “Hayward Magic.” Shanieka’s biggest competition will probably be Thea LaFond, the 2024 World Indoor Champion.
Here is the schedule for the 2024 NIKE Pre Classic and the results: https://eugene.diamondleague.com/home/
