21 July, 2014

Zurich: Fraser-Pryce, Rudisha, Bolt - The best athletes of the world to meet

The stars of the European Athletics Championships Zürich 2014 will line up against the rest of the world at Weltklasse Zürich on Thursday, 28 August. As every year, the first final event of the IAAF Diamond League series will boast star-studded fields in each and every event. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM), David Rudisha (KEN), and Usain Bolt (JAM) are some of the top stars who have confirmed their appearance at Letzigrund Stadium.

Usain Bolt took to his social media platforms to confirm what he had already announced in May: The world record holder, Olympic Champion, and world champion will be part of the Weltklasse Zürich cast. Despite his late start into the 2014 outdoor season, the Jamaican sprint superstar will run the 100m on the brand-new “magic track” at Letzigrund Stadium this year.

Bolt to be challenged by European championship finalists

In his seventh appearance at the prestigious meeting, Bolt will be challenged by several finalists of the European Athletics Championships Zürich 2014. “Our meeting will be held only 11 days after Zürich 2014. The best Europeans will return to Letzigrund Stadium to compete against the best athletes of the rest of the world,” explained Andreas Hediger, who is responsible for inviting the athletes to Weltklasse Zürich.

One month prior to the meeting, the provisional start lists already indicate that Weltklasse Zürich will be living up to its reputation of signing the best athletes of the world once again. “We will of course wait and see what will happen during the European championships,” Andreas Hediger specified. However, some European stars, including Sandra Perkovic (CRO/discus throw), Christophe Lemaitre (FRA/200 m), or 800 m French-record holder Pierre-Ambroise Bosse, have already accepted the Weltklasse Zürich invitation.

800 m men: Rudisha, Amos, Kiprop, Bosse

The 800 m race will definitely be one of many Letzigrund highlights, this year. Bosse, a favourite for the European Athletics Championships, will face world record holder and Olympic Champion David Rudisha (KEN), world junior record holder and current world leader Nijel Amos (BOT), as well as Asbel Kiprop, two-time 1500 m world champion and former Olympic champion.

Fast women: Fraser-Pryce and Bowie in the 100 m; top 7 of the world in the high hurdles

In the women’s 100 m, Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) will race Tori Bowie (USA), the current world leader. Fraser-Pryce will also lead the Jamaican 4x100 m relay team who will compete against the young Swiss squad in the Zürich Trophy.

The 100 m hurdles race is a perfect example for the Weltklasse Zürich high calibre fields: The fastest seven hurdlers, including world leader Dawn Harper-Nelson (USA), world champion Brianna Rollins (USA), experienced star LoLo Jones (USA), Olympic champion Sally Pearson (AUS), as well as Zürich 2014 favourite Cindy Billaud (FRA), have already been signed for the race.

The women’s pole vault featuring world leader and former world champion Fabiana Murer (BRA), Olympic champion Jennifer Suhr (USA), and Yarisley Silva (CUB) will be one of the field event highlights at this year’s Weltklasse Zürich gala.

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Weltklasse Zürich
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