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INDIANAPOLIS - Some of the most exciting match-ups in track and field - including Gay vs. Bolt, Williams vs. Campbell-Brown and Liu vs. Trammell - will play out Saturday night at the 2008 Reebok Grand Prix in New York City.
The third event of USA Track & Field's 2008 Outdoor Visa Championship Series, the Reebok Grand Prix will be televised Saturday night, May 31, on ESPN2 from 8-10 p.m., and on Sunday, June 1, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on CBS. All times are Eastern.
Gay/Bolt clash headlines sprints
Triple World Outdoor champion Tyson Gay will square off against world-leading Usain Bolt of Jamaica in a packed men's 100 meter field. Bolt is the second-fastest man in history, with his 2008 world leader of 9.76 coming May 3 in Kingston, Jamaica. Other contenders to watch for include Gay's World Outdoor 4x100 meter gold medal winning teammates Leroy Dixon and Darvis Patton (second to Gay last at the adidas Track Classic), 2004 Olympic 200m gold medalist Shawn Crawford, 2006 NCAA quadruple champion Xavier Carter and 2008 U.S. Indoor champion Michael Rodgers. Carter also will run the men's 400m.
The women's 100m looks to be a rematch of the final of the 2007 World Outdoor Championships in Osaka as reigning World champion Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM) will be challenged by 2005 World champion and 2007 World silver medalist Lauryn Williams, 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter and 2003 World champion and fourth-place finisher in 2007 Torri Edwards. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Williams was second, with Campbell-Brown third. Also watch for two-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix and 2006 World Indoor champion Lisa Barber.
Several women will be doubling in the 100m and 200m including Williams, Jeter, 2008 NCAA Indoor 200m champion Bianca Knight, 2006 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor champion Shalonda Solomon and 2005 World Outdoor 4x100m gold medalist Muna Lee, who won the 200m in a then-world leading 22.30 at the adidas Track Classic on May 18.
Two-time World Outdoor medalist Wallace Speamon leads the men's 200m field that includes compatriot Rodney Martin, who placed fourth to Spearmon's third at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships.
Five of the top ten women in the world will race in the women's 400 meters, including world-ranked #1 Sanya Richards. Also in the mix will be Jamaica's Novlene Williams, the bronze medalist from Osaka who ended 2007 ranked #4 in the world, Dee Dee Trotter, Mary Wineberg and Natasha Hastings, ranked #7, 8 and 9 respectively. On the men's side, watch for 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Derrick Brew and 2005 World Outdoor silver medalist Andrew Rock.
Women's American record holders lead field events crew
2008 World Indoor silver medalist Jenn Stuczynski, fresh off her American record-setting performance at the adidas Track Classic, leads the field in the women's pole vault. Looking to dethrone Stuczynski from her winning ways are 2000 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion Stacy Dragila, 2004 Olympian Jillian Schwartz and 2007 Pan Am silver medalist April Steiner.
Suzy Powell Roos, the women's American record holder in the discus, will be challenged by two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. champion Aretha Thurmond and 2005 U.S. champion Becky Breisch.
The men's shot put features four of the top six throwers in the world with 2008 World Indoor champion and current world leader Christian Cantwell leading the way. Cantwell was the #3 world-ranked shot putter for 2007, behind reining World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa and two-time Olympic silver medalist and four time World Outdoor medalist Adam Nelson, ranked #1 and #2 respectively. Also in the fray is #6 world-ranked Dan Taylor.
A two-time Olympic medalist and three-time World Outdoor champion in the shot put, John Godina is entered in the men's discus throw this weekend. He will take on the top three American throwers of 2007: two-time U.S. champion Ian Waltz, 2004 Olympic Trials champion Jarred Rome and 2007 U.S. Outdoor champion Michael Robertson, ranked #1, 2 and 3 respectively in the U.S.
Men's World champions featured in hurdles
Two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Outdoor silver medalist Terrence Trammell will take on reigning Olympic and World champion Liu Xiang of China in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Also in the field are 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist David Payne and 2004 World Junior and NCAA Outdoor champion Aries Merrit.
The men's 400m hurdles features 2007 World Outdoor champion Kerron Clement, who ran the current world-leading time of 47.79 on May 3 in Jamaica. He will be challenged by 2007 NACAC champion and Pan Am bronze medalist LaRon Bennett and 2006 NCAA champion Michael Tinsley.
2005 World Outdoor silver medalist and current world leader Lashinda Demus leads the pack in the women's 400m hurdles in her quest to return to form after giving birth to twins last summer. Demus will face stiff competition from 2007 U.S. Outdoor champion Tiffany Ross-Williams, 2007 Pan Am gold medalist Sheena Johnson Tosta and two-time World Outdoor medalist Sandra Glover.
Two-time Olympian Hazel Clark is entered in the women's 800m in a field that includes #6 world ranked Kenia Sinclair of Jamaica and Erin Donohoue, the 2008 adidas Track Classic champion. Also keep an eye out for three-time U.S. 1,500 champion Treniere Clement. On the men's side, watch for four-time U.S. champion Khadevis Robinson, 2003 World Indoor champion David Krummenacker and current U.S. leader James Hatch.
2007 NCAA champion Lopez Lomong leads the way in the men's 1,500m field that includes 2007 U.S. Indoor champion Rob Myers, 2006 U.S. Indoor champion Chris Lukezic and Canadian Olympic finalist Kevin Sullivan.
Other athletes to watch for include 2006 U.S. Outdoor champion Lauren Fleshman and former Stanford standout Arianna Lambie in the women's 5,000m and Ireland's Alistair Cragg in the men's 5,000. Two-time NCAA 5,000m runner-up Sara Hall is entered in the women's 1,500m and two-time U.S. Outdoor champion Erin Gilreath will compete in the women's hammer throw. 2007 U.S. Outdoor runner-up Aaron Aguayo will take on 2003 U.S. champion Steve Slattery and 2002 U.S. champion Anthony Famiglietti in the men's steeplechase.
The Reebok Grand Prix will begin at 5 p.m. on May 31, at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. The new bleacher seats, along the backstretch, with clear views of the finish line, will be available for $15. Grandstand tickets range from $24-$50. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 1-877-TIX-TRAC or on-line at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com. USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa. For more information, visit www.reebokgrandprix.com or www.visachampionshipsseries.com.
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