Christian Olsson of Sweden wins the Triple Jump at the Bergen Bislett Games (© Getty Images)
Although the emphasis on this weekend’s SPAR European Cup in Bydgoszcz, Poland, is fundamentally on the eight-way men’s and women’s team matches, the importance of the yearly fixture has led a great number of leading individuals to participate. This has in turn resulted in some high-level battles shaping up in many disciplines.
In the first of two preview stories, Ed Gordon details the possible highlights in the men’s competitions -
MEN’S COMPETITION
Olsson and Holm - Sweden's aces
Last year’s EAA Male Athlete of the Year, triple jumper Christian Olsson, is one of the top luminaries listed on the men’s roster. The current World and European champion will lead his Swedish team as they enjoy a promotion to the Super League after winning their Group A cup competition last year.
Although Olsson, with a year best of 17.61, is a clear favourite to emerge as a winner, he cannot be totally complacent after Russia’s Danil Burkenya showed good form with a 17.29 at the Bislett Games last weekend.
Olsson’s teammate, high jumper Stefan Holm, began his international outdoor season only last week with a 2.32 performance. Jumping at the site of last season’s best performance (2.36 by Alek Walerianczyk), the three-time World indoor champion will have to battle against possibly the deepest start list of the weekend, as four other jumpers have year bests of 2.30 or higher.
Grzegorz Sposób of Poland (2.34) and Edmonton world champion Vyacheslav Voronin of Russia (2.31) will challenge Holm, as will Roman Fricke of Germany (2.30) and Italy’s Nicola Ciotti (2.30).
Gibilisco on show
The Netherlands, also promoted from Group A, present solid entrants in many events. Pole vaulter Rens Blom, the current European leader at 5.81, will joust with Paris World champion Giuseppe Gibilisco of Italy (5.60), current European silver medallist Lars Börgeling of Germany (5.70), last year’s world list leader Romain Mesnil of France (5.75), and Sweden’s Patrik Kristiansson (5.70), the Paris bronze medallist.
Baala makes first 1500 outing of summer
As the most accomplished member of the French team, the defending champions, European 1500 champion Mehdi Baala will compete in his specialty for the first time this season. Although bonafide challengers such as Michael East of Great Britain (3:34.75) and Netherland’s Marko Koers (3:36.75) will accompany the Frenchman, the most curious name on the start list is that of Paris 800 silver medallist Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia, whose PB in the event until now is 3:43.24.
Borzakovskiy’s absence in the 800 sets up a four-way battle among France’s Florent Lacasse (1:44.82), Bram Som of the Netherlands (1:45.01), Germany’s René Herms (1:45.54) and Andrea Longo of Italy (1:46.02). Representing Russia in the event will be Borzakovskiy’s training partner, Dmitriy Bogdanov (1:47.22).
European 400 metres champion Ingo Schultz of Germany (45.49) and Britain’s Tim Benjamin (45.47) bring the top times to the one-lap event. But France’s Leslie Djhone (45.99) should also be expected to have a role in the final outcome.
Rawlinson set to defend title
Chris Rawlinson of Great Britain (48.93), the current European leader in the men’s 400m Hurdles, returns to defend his title. Top challengers include Naman Keita of France (49.16) and Russia’s Boris Gorban (49.47). Former European champion Pawel Januszewski (50.62) will represent host Poland.
Britain’s Andy Turner (13.47) has the top time of the eight competitors in the men’s 110 Hurdles, but Russia’s Yevgeniy Pechonkin (13.49), Swede Robert Kronberg (13.50) and Tomasz Scigaczewski of Poland (13.55) are not far behind.
Tactical middle distance tradition
In a team-scoring cup competition which emphasises placing over performance, the longer races inevitably become tactical, creating a bonus for runners with good closing speed. That could give an advantage in the men’s 3000 metres to accomplished 1500 metres runners such as Netherland’s Gert-Jan Liefers, Vyacheslav Shabunin of Russia, and Wolfram Müller of Germany.
Using the same line of reasoning, the leg speed of Britain’s John Mayock (3:37.59 last season) and Jared Shegumo of Poland (1:48.40 and 3:40.12 last season) could well see them to top finishes in the men’s 5000 metres.
The men’s Steeplechase emerges as a tossup between the co-holders of the European record, France’s Bob Tahri and Simon Vroemen of the Netherlands (8:17.73), the European season leader.
Lewis-Francis starts as favourite
The top four entrants in the Men’s 100 metres all achieved their season bests this past weekend. Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain brings both experience and a 10.17 to Bydgoszcz and must be regarded as the favourite, although Lukasz Chyla (10.20) of the host Polish team could profit from running in front of a home crowd. Germany’s Ronny Ostwald (10.25) and Andrey Yepishin of Russia (10.26) should not prevent Lewis-Francis from capturing his third European Cup title.
The form chart in the men’s 200 metres shows Ronald Pognon of France (20.52) in the lead position, followed by Italian Marco Torrieri (20.67). However, experienced runners such as Poland’s Marcin Urbas (20.73), Johan Wissman of Sweden (20.81) and Britain’s Christian Malcolm (20.82) will certainly show their presence, as will the all-important lane draw in this event.
Ivanov versus Esenwein
The current year leader in the Men’s Javelin, Aleksandr Ivanov of Russia (87.73), may well be the youngest in the field, but his season edge over the oldest competitor - Germany’s Peter Esenwein (87.20) - is marginal at best. These two, however, are far ahead of the remaining six, headed by Sweden’s Gabriel Wallin (80.71) and last year’s third-placer, Dariusz Trafas of Poland (80.01).
Shot and Discus doublers
Based on season marks, the men’s Shot Put should be a close battle among Rutger Smith of the Netherlands (20.94), Britain’s Carl Myerscough (20.92), and Ralf Bartels of Germany (20.88). The only other competitor to surpass twenty metres this season is Poland’s Tomasz Majewski (20.25).
Both Myerscough (65.10) and Smith (63.79) will double in the men’s Discus, where the top entry comes from Germany’s Michael Möllenbeck (66.36), last year’s runner-up.
Long jumper Nils Winter of Germany (8.17) brings the top mark to that event, marginally ahead of Britain’s Chris Tomlinson (8.13). Poland’s Tomasz Mateusiak (8.05) and Salim Sdiri of France (8.05) complete the list of entrants who have surpassed eight metres this season. An unknown quantity is Russian Vitaliy Shkurlatov (8.23 last year) who is competing for the first time outdoors in 2004.
Ziolkowski back on top
After problematic seasons since winning his Sydney and Edmonton Hammer titles, Poland’s Syzmon Ziolkowski (79.41) once again finds himself heading the entry list with Markus Esser of Germany (79.01) in close pursuit. After that pair, the list plummets quickly, with Sergey Kirmasov of Russia (77.90) and Sydney silver medallist Nicola Vizzoni (76.22) rounding out the top four.
