TheFinalSprint.com | Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More!

Lead Stories: Friday, July 18, 2008

Four World Leading Performances in Doha

Posted May 9th, 2008 at 7:03 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Four world-leading performances in the middle & long distances were set at the Qatar Super Grand Prix in Doha tonight, the first stop on the IAAF Super Grand Prix circuit.

Richard Mateelong, the bronze medallist at last year’s world championships, led a 1-2-3 sweep Kenyan sweep with his 8:07.64 victory in the 3000m steeplechase, an impressive early season run in the heat of Doha. Collins Kosgei (8:13.87) and Mike Kipyego (8:15.74) were well back in second and third.

In one of the closest races of the night, Abdelati Iguider of Morocco won the 1500m in 3:33.27, barely edging compatriot Mohamed Moustaoui (3:33.31) and Antar Zerguelaine of Algeria (3:33.32). Iguider, a two-time medallist at the world junior championships and the winner in 2004, has a career best of 3:32.68 from two years ago.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

US Track & Field Stars to Gather In Doha, Qatar

Posted May 9th, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Wariner and triple World Outdoor champion Allyson Felix headline the American contingent for the 2008 Qatar Super Grand Prix Friday, May 9, in Doha, Qatar.

A two-time World Outdoor 400 meter champion, Wariner will step down in distance, looking to improve on his personal best of 20.19 in the 200m. He will face stiff competition from 2007 World Outdoor 400m silver medalist LaShawn Merritt, who has already run a windy 19.80 (+3.2 mps) so far this year.

Felix, a two-time World Outdoor champion over 200m, will officially open her outdoor season at Doha and will try to repeat her 100-400 win from 2007. This is the fourth year in a row that she has opened up her season at the Qatar Super Grand Prix.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Johnson Visits Aspire Youth Sporting Facility in Qatar

Posted January 30th, 2008 at 9:15 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Record breaking Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Michael Johnson took time out from the 2008 Commercialbank Qatar Masters, Presented by Dolphin Energy, to visit the ASPIRE Academy for Excellence – and were immediately impressed with the ultra-modern facilities.

The two sportsmen – who between them amassed ten Olympic gold medals – were taken on a guided tour of the facilities by Prof. Dr. Dieter Hackfort, Dean ASPIRE & Director QESA Department who briefed them on the aims and function of ASPIRE before explaining the workings of the sport psychology aspect of the Academy in which they were especially interested.

Redgrave, who won five consecutive rowing golds, and US sprinter Johnson – winner of gold at 200m, 400m and 4×400m relay – toured the complex as part of their visit to Doha as guests of Commercialbank.

And the American admitted it was an eye-opening experience. “We don’t have anything like this in the US as most young people play sport anyway and there is an automatic natural process of selection,” he said.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Doha & Istanbul Will Host World Indoor Champs In 2010 and 2012

Posted November 24th, 2007 at 4:50 PM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field

On the second day of its meeting in Monaco, the IAAF Council agreed a number of hosts for future events.

There were two candidates for the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships, the second most important competition on the IAAF calendar, Doha, Qatar and Istanbul, Turkey. Following excellent presentations from the two candidates, a question and answer session, Council voted, and the winner was Doha, host of the 2006 Asian Games.

However, due to the excellence of the Istanbul candidature, Council also agreed to award that city the 2012 edition of the same competition.

“These were clearly two top class candidates demonstrating not only excellent facilities and organizational capabilities but outstanding levels of support from public authorities,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack. “I am glad that Council agreed that we should take this opportunity to ensure that the next two editions of the World Indoor Championships would help us in our aims to universalize our sport.”
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Video: Watch America’s Allyson Felix double in Qatar

Posted May 17th, 2007 at 12:16 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

For more information on the event and Felix’s performances please click here.

Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink

Felix doubles in Doha

Posted May 12th, 2007 at 3:17 AM by thefinalsprint.com

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

World champion Allyson Felix won an impressive double, the women’s 100 meters and 400m, Friday at the Qatar IAAF World Super Tour 2007, part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2007, in Doha, Qatar.

Felix started off her night with a win in the women’s 100m, crossing the line in 11.27 seconds to beat reigning world 100m champion Lauryn Williams, who took fourth in 11.39. A little less than an hour later, Felix was back on the track in the women’s 400m where she blasted her way to a new personal record and world-leading 50.40 for the win. The next closest competitor was over a half second behind.

In the men’s 110m hurdles, the Americans swept the top four places with David Payne stealing the win in a personal best 13.12 seconds. David Oliver, ranked #7 in the world for 2006 by Track & Field News, was second in 13.14 while two-time Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell was third in 13.15 and Ron Bramlett was fourth in 13.39.
Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink