Posted: May 3, 2007

Athletics: 3 of world’s top hurdlers set for Reebok Grand Prix

NEW YORK CITY (May 3) – Three of the world’s best hurdlers – each of whom can call himself an Olympic gold medalist, World Champion or both – have joined a star-filled lineup for the Reebok Grand Prix in NYC on June 2, organizers announced today. They are led by Liu Xiang, a sports sensation in China headed into the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Liu, who tied the World Record of 12.91 in winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles, broke it outright when he turned in a smashing 12.88 performance last July. He finished 2006 ranked #1 in the world. In China, Liu is a celebrity of rock-star status, but this will be just his second time competing in New York. A two-time World Champion, Felix Sanchez will come home to compete in the 400-meter hurdles. Sanchez, who competes for the Dominican Republic, was born in New York City, and honored with a parade here after he won the 2004 Olympic gold medal. One of most dominant hurdlers in history, he notched 43 consecutive wins between July 2001 and September 2004. In between, he won two World Championship gold medals, a Pan American Games gold medal and his Olympic title. Sanchez is the first Olympic gold medalist in the history of the Dominican Republic. He will be facing, among others, 2005 World Champion Bershawn Jackson, the top 400-meter hurdler in the United States and #2 in the world, according to Track & Field News rankings. Jackson is also the 2003 US Outdoor Champion. The third-annual Reebok Grand Prix, named one of the two top international track-and-field events in the country, will begin at 5 p.m. June 2 at state-of-the-art Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island. It is the third stop of USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series. Tickets, at $20, $30 and $40, are available by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC. For more information and event updates, visit the event website at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com.