Jeremy Wariner in Osaka (© Getty Images)
The 25th edition of the Thales FBK Games (Fanny Blankers-Koen Games), an IAAF Grand Prix status meeting as part of the IAAF World Athletics Tour 2007which takes place on Saturday 26 May in the eastern Dutch town of Hengelo has very strong starting fields.
The most important track meet in the Low Countries has several Olympic, World and European champions on the starting lists of the seventeen events (11 men and six women).
Wariner & Bekele to run after season's bests
Several days ago Jeremy Wariner confirmed his participation to the meet. The 23-year-old American, 400m Olympic and World champion, ran the fastest time of the season (44.02) in Osaka this month. Wariner will meet compatriot Otis Harris (Olympic silver medallist 2004) and Gary Kikaya (COD).
Another Olympic and World champion starting in the fully renovated FBK stadium is Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia. Bekele, World record holder at 5000 and 10.000 metres, will line-up in the 2 Miles, a race for which the World best stands at 7:58:61 a time set by Kenyan Daniel Komen in Hechtel on 19 July 1997.
Gebre back on track
The 10,000m Olympic and World champion will meet very strong Kenyans and Ethiopians on the distance namely Edwin Soi, Jonas Cheruiyot and Mulugu Wondimuru. Other well known names on the starting lists are: Dutch European champion Bram Som (Ned), Wilfred Bungei (800 m), Sileshi Shihine, Sammy Kipketer, Ahmed Hassan Abdullah, Mark Bett, Sammy Kipketer and Gebregziabher Gebremarian, who all have personal best under 27:00:00 at 10,000 metres.
The 10,000m is always a top event on the programme of the Thales FBK Games, with World records for Haile Gebrselassie in the years 1995 and 1998. Haile Gebrselassie, who had said after the 2005 World Championships never to run on the track again was added to the 10,000m field on Wednesday.
Mr. Hengelo as he is nicknamed in The Netherlands hopes to run a good race in the meet of which he says “it is my favourite meet.”
Two Dutchmen - no Allen Johnson in high hurdles
Dutch European indoor champion at 60m Hurdles Gregory Sedoc will meet compatriot Marcel van de Westen (silver at EC indoor 2007). American Allen Johnson who was a starter at Hengelo had to withdraw due to an injury.
Another top event will be the 3000m Steeplechase with the Olympic silver and bronze medallists Brimin Kipruto and Paul Koech.
In the field events the spectators can cheer for Dutch World champion Rens Blom, who after injury problems seems to be back in good shape. The Dutchman will meet Germans Danny Ecker, Tim Lobinger, Bjorn Otto and Americans Jeff Hartwig and Nich Hysong.
A top event will be the men’s Long Jump with Irving Saladino of Panama and Ignisious Gaisah, who is trained by the Dutch couple Monique Berrevoets and Eric van de Steenhoven.
The field in the men’s Shot Put includes Dutchman Rutger Smith (21.62 m), Christian Cantwell (USA, 22.54 m), European champion Ralf Bartels (GER, 21.36 m), Dan Taylor (USA, 21.59 m) and Andrey Mikhnevich (BLR, 21.69 m).
5000m for Lornah Kiplagat
Former Olympic 800 metres champion (1992) Ellen van Langen has also contracted a very interesting women’s field. At 100m European champion Kim Gevaert of Belgium will meet Me’Lisa and Mikele Barber, the American twin sisters and Chandra Sturrup of the Bahamas.
Janeth Jepkosgei (KEN, 1:56.66) and Moroccan Mina Ait Hammou (1:57.82) are the favourites on the 800 metres. Kenyan born Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat, World Cross Country and Road Running, will run the 5000 metres. She will meet Gelete Burka (Eth, pb 14:40.92) Maryam Yusuf Jamal (BHR, 14:51.68), Mestewat Tufa (Eth, 14:59.05) and another sub 15 minutes runner Prisca Ngetich Jepleting (Ken, 14:35.30).
Jenny Kallur (Swe), Andrea Bliss, Vonette Dixon (Jam), Nichole Denby, Anjanette Kirkland and Danielle Carruthers( all USA) are six sub 13:00 seconds 100 metres hurdlers contracted.
European outdoor and indoor champion Tia Hellebaut will be the favourite for the women’s High Jump contest. Russian Elina Zvereva is hot favourite for the women’s Discus Throw. She will meet Franka Dietzsch, Suzy Powll and Nicoleta Grasu.
The weather forecast for Saturday is: 20 % sun; 70 % chance of rain, max temp 20 degrees CT, northern wind force 4.
Wim van Hemert for the IAAF
