A portrait of Muriel Hurtis (© Getty Images)
On the eve of the Paris SaintDenis Gaz de France Golden League meeting, the second of this year’s circuit, meeting director Gérard Rousselle explains why no one should miss this unique showcase of athletics stars.
“20 finals of the IAAF World Championships in one evening! That is what you will experience tomorrow night. I would even say 20 ‘super finals’. Super finals because in events like the sprint or hurdles races there will be more than three Americans lining-up and in long distance races there will be more than just three Kenyans so the competition will undoubtedly be fierce.
“Paris also means a fantastic stadium, which in the French people’s mind is still linked with unforgettable football memories and I hope it will soon be linked to important moments in athletics after the world championships. And Paris also means a wonderful city, one of the greatest European capitals with unique cultural and historical treasures.
“There have been many good moments in the history of the meeting but I will pick only three. Bubka’s world record in 1984, the first edition of the Saint Denis meeting when at the time I was still a driver! Carl Lewis and the Santa Monica Track Club 4x200m relay in 1988. And the first time the meeting moved to the Stade de France in 1999 and 54,800 spectators attended the event.
“My choice this year? There will obviously be many great races including a 3000m Steeplechase where the pace makers have been asked to set a 7:55 rhythm but I think I am going to surprise you by saying that my pick is the women’s 200m. It may not be a Golden League event and there will be no World or Olympic champion in the race but in my opinion it will offer the best showcase of talents.
“I am looking forward to the confrontation of two generations of runners with youngsters like Muriel Hurtis and Allyson Felix – who confirmed her participation just a few days ago - and the more experienced Kelli White or Juliet Campbell.
“It was also the most difficult event for me to put together with Allyson Felix being still in the NCAA and her not having an agent. Thanks to the kindness and availability of her parents who will also be in Paris, Felix will run her first European race of the year at the Stade de France. And it may also become her chance to try and break the world junior record again.
“We expect approximately 50,000 spectators amongst which will be a lot of teenagers. We want the meeting to maintain its original spirit as a great feast of athletics. I believe it is important that youngsters come and watch the meeting because they represent the future.
“The novelty this year will be a gigantic karaoke. Before the competition 20,000 kids will sing along the song of the French National Athletes ‘Nous sommes tous athlètes’. These same youngsters will return to the Stade de France in late August to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the World Championships.”
IAAF