Wallace Spearmon next to Usain Bolt in New York (© Victah Sailer)
Sheffield, UKThe Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield on 15 July, a Grand prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour, will field one of the strongest 200m line-ups ahead of the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 Aug – 2 Sep), with USA’s Wallace Spearmon and Usain Bolt of Jamaica joined by USA’s Xavier Carter.
While Carter – who ran the second fastest time in history last year – may be known as the ‘X-Man’, his rivals, Bolt and Spearmon, also have names fit for both a Marvel comic and their blistering pace.
Both have already twice run below 20 seconds this season, with Spearmon having the edge, 19.82 to 19.89, but Bolt is determined to electrify the crowd at the Don Valley stadium on 15 July in an attempt to steal his rival’s thunder.
The World Junior 200m record holder has frequently been pipped to the post in the half-lap by the American and is determined to put an end to it in Sheffield.
“In the World Cup last year and New York this year I led at 180m but Wallace caught me close to the finish, but as the season goes on I hope I will get him,” said Bolt.
“I’ve been working hard on the last 30m of my race because I am determined to keep him at bay. We may be friends but we all desperately want to win. If the conditions are right I really want to be able to do something special at the Don Valley, and give the crowd something to shout about.”
All three athletes will all be making their Sheffield debuts, which is something Spearmon is relishing.
“I’m looking forward to my first race in Sheffield in what I have heard is an impressive stadium, the spectators should be in for a real treat. The 200m is just oozing with talent at the moment, I mean you only have to look at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix race to see that - it is loaded with some of the fastest guys out there right now.”
“But I love that, because I race my best against strong competition and of course, with the World Championships just around the corner, everybody wants to take an important scalp now.”
Zarah Al-Kudcy for the IAAF