Allyson Felix edges out Sanya Richards in the women's 200m, both clocking 22.29 (© Getty Images)
Rome, ItalyTwo spectacular head to head competitions will highlight the action in Rome’s Olympic Stadium on 26 May 2011.
Olympic and World champion and World record holder at 100m, 200m, and 4x100m, Usain Bolt, will face his Jamaican compatriot Asafa Powell, the former holder of the World 100m record, on the occasion of the Compeed Golden Gala, the third leg of the Samsung Diamond League circuit in 2011.
Bolt and Powell’s race over 100m will be an early season match-up between two these fast on their way to the IAAF World Championships, Daegu, Korea (27 Aug to 4 Sep 2011).
Another great challenge, a double one, will also been seen on Rome’s track in the women’s sprints as USA’s reigning World champions Sanya Richards (400m) and Allyson Felix (200m), will each attempt an audacious double running 200m and 400m, clearly showing their intentions to build up their best form on the way to Daegu.
These four names were officially announced this morning in Rome by a delegation of the Compeed Golden Gala LOC, headed by President of FIDAL Franco Arese, CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) General Secretary Raffaele Pagnozzi, and LOC Executive Staff members Diego Nepi (General Director) and Anna Riccardi (Meeting Director).
In the official list of participants, another name has already been communicated, earlier in January, David Rudisha, from Kenya, the World record holder for 800m.
“It will be one of the most exciting editions of our Golden Gala”, said Franco Arese, clearly delighted by this outstanding field of participants. “We are working to let the Golden Gala be the focus of a whole week dedicated to athletics in Rome”, added Raffaele Pagnozzi.
Samsung Diamond League
2011 Dates
Fri 6 May - Doha QAT
Sun 15 May - Shanghai CHN
Thu 26 May - Rome ITA
Sat 4 Jun - Eugene USA
Thu 9 Jun - Oslo NOR
Sat 11 Jun - New York USA
Thu 30 Jun - Lausanne SUI
Fri 8 Jul - Paris FRA
Sun 10 Jul - Birmingham GBR
Fri 22 Jul - Monaco MON
Fri 29 Jul - Stockholm SWE
Fri 5/ Sat 6 Aug - London GBR
Thu 8 Sep - Zurich SUI
Fri 16 Sep - Brussels BEL
