Soon to be crowned Bernard Lagat (USA) leads defending champion Tariku Bekele (ETH) in the 3000m final in Doha (© Getty Images)
Ostrava, Czech RepublicFreshlyminted World indoor 3000m champion Bernard Lagat has joined the cast of headliners for the 49th Golden Spike in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 27 May.
The 35-year-old American dominated the 3000m in Doha in earlier this month to collect his second World indoor title, and will contest the same distance when he returns to this eastern Czech city for the first time since 2004.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Ostrava,” said Lagat, who will open his season at the Drake Relays in April where he’ll run the mile. “I’ve had some great races there over 1500m. I’ve been beaten a couple of times and the fields have always been great. It’s a special place to come and run. I look forward to being part of a great 3000m this year.”
The 3000m in Ostrava will be billed as the meet’s tradition Emil Zatopek Memorial and Lagat isn’t discounting the possibility of a very fast run.
“Yes it’s true for some time I’ve thought of challenging the US record of 7:30.84. It would be great if we have a really good race that is at this level.”
A more immediate target will be the meeting record of 7:36.44 set by Tariku Bekele of Ethiopia in 2006.
Organisers have already announced several stars for the meet, including Usain Bolt who will be making his first-ever competitive outing over 300m, Olympic 110m Hurdles champion Dayron Robles who set the current World record in Ostrava two years ago, World indoor and outdoor High Jump champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia, and local heroine Barbora Spotakova, the Olympic champion in the Javelin.
Organisers for the IAAF
The 35-year-old American dominated the 3000m in Doha in earlier this month to collect his second World indoor title, and will contest the same distance when he returns to this eastern Czech city for the first time since 2004.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Ostrava,” said Lagat, who will open his season at the Drake Relays in April where he’ll run the mile. “I’ve had some great races there over 1500m. I’ve been beaten a couple of times and the fields have always been great. It’s a special place to come and run. I look forward to being part of a great 3000m this year.”
The 3000m in Ostrava will be billed as the meet’s tradition Emil Zatopek Memorial and Lagat isn’t discounting the possibility of a very fast run.
“Yes it’s true for some time I’ve thought of challenging the US record of 7:30.84. It would be great if we have a really good race that is at this level.”
A more immediate target will be the meeting record of 7:36.44 set by Tariku Bekele of Ethiopia in 2006.
Organisers have already announced several stars for the meet, including Usain Bolt who will be making his first-ever competitive outing over 300m, Olympic 110m Hurdles champion Dayron Robles who set the current World record in Ostrava two years ago, World indoor and outdoor High Jump champion Blanka Vlasic of Croatia, and local heroine Barbora Spotakova, the Olympic champion in the Javelin.
Organisers for the IAAF
