Posted: January 23, 2006

Athletics: Reigning World Outdoor men’s shot put champion Adam Nelson will face a world-class field Saturday evening at the 2006 Reebok Boston Indoor Games

The first event of the 2006 Visa Championship Series, the Reebok Boston Indoor Games is set for January 28 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center. It will be televised January 29 on ESPN2 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Nelson looked forward to the 2005 World Outdoor Championships in Helsinki as an opportunity for him to defeat the world’s best shot putters at a major outdoor competition for the first time. The Olympic silver medalist in 2000 and 2004, and the 2001 and 2003 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist, Nelson reached the final in Helsinki, where he wasted little time in achieving his goal.

On his first attempt in the final he heaved the shot 21.73 meters/71 feet, 3.50 inches, which held up as the best throw of the competition, and Nelson finally had his hard-earned major outdoor championships gold medal. Nelson’s win at the World Outdoor Championships helped propel him to the year-end #1 world ranking by Track & Field News, the third time during his career that he’s achieved the top world ranking.

A two-time USA Indoor champion and the 2001 World Indoor silver medalist, Nelson will face a strong field in Boston that includes three-time World Outdoor champion, two-time Olympic medalist and 2005 Indoor Visa Championship Series winner John Godina. 2004 World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell also is in the field, along with 2004 Olympian and World Indoor silver medalist Reese Hoffa. All four competitors ended the 2005 season ranked in the top six in the world.

At last year’s Reebok Boston Indoor Games, Nelson wrested the lead for good from Cantwell on his second throw of 20.97m/68-9.75. The two-time Olympic Trials champion was not content with that mark, however, as he popped a giant throw of 21.66m/71-0.75 in the third round to secure the win.

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