The CHill Zone of T&F: Conway's View From the Finish Line

Golden League Begins Sunday in Berlin

Jun 12th, 2009
3:13 pm PDT

The Golden League Circuit begins Sunday with its first stop in Berlin. This year’s “golden” events are:

Men – 100, 400, 3000/5000, 110H, Javelin
Women – 100, 400, 100H, High Jump, Pole Vault

The individual(s) that can win their event at every stop of the tour will win or share in a $1,000,000 prize. The stops are Berlin (6/14), Oslo (7/3), Rome (7/10), Paris (7/17), Zurich (8/28) and Brussels (9/4).

Berlin will not only be the first stop of the Golden League, but will also give individuals an opportunity at something of a dress rehearsal for the World Championships as this year’s Worlds will be held in the same venue. The meet’s Preliminary Start List can be found here. Notable competitors are:

Kerron Stewart (JAM) – women’s 100
Sanya Richards (US) – women’s 400
Damu Cherry (US) – women’s 100H
Yelena Slesarenko (RUS) & Blank Vlasic (CRO) – women’s high jump
Yelena Isinbaeva (RUS) – women’s pole vault

Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) – men’s 5000
Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) – men’s javelin

Missing a lot of names on the men’s side, but still enough competition to keep the meet interesting. Perhaps a bit too close to many National Championship meets – something the Golden League needs to consider.

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