May 2013
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Dwight Phillips wants Moscow number five
After a London 2012 injury nightmare, Dwight Phillips is back. The legendary US jumper talks to SPIKES about last summer, his bid to win a fifth world title in Russia, world records and Rio. [[MORE]] For quadruple world champion Dwight Phillips, 2012 was all-set to be the last act of an illustrious long jump career. The American great, and 2004 Olympic champion, has been the dominant force in his...
May 23rd
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Haile's life in pictures
Leading athletics photographer Jiro Mochizuki has produced an album of exclusive pictures, of the life and career of his friend Haile Gebrselassie. Here, Mochizuki’s tells the story behind some of his favourites from Haile Gebrselassie: Emperor of Long Distance. [[MORE]] ‘I want to be like Abebe’, 1995 (above) “At that time Haile’s stardom was only in its infancy. He has...
May 22nd
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WATCH: Bjorn Otto's pole vault slowmo
Slow motion video of Germany’s top pole vaulter clearing 5.83m at an Athens streetmeet on Saturday.
May 22nd
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Christian Taylor on taking track and field to the...
If he was king for a day, world and Olympic champion triple jumper Christian Taylor would have more athletics competitions on America’s streets. [[MORE]] “I’d love to see more street athletics comes to the States. It would be great to see these events hit the really big cities like Las Vegas, New York and Miami. Lots of pairs of eyes would see these competitions and it would bring a...
May 21st
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Yelena's back! Cain's improving & Harting breaks...
Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva only needed two for the win; China has a new(ish) long jump star in Li Jinzhe; Russia rules race walking; Jess Ennis’ wedding guest list; Cain, Harting and more … SPIKES reviews the weekend, in numbers.  [[MORE]] 0 – The number of hurdles cleared by Olympic champion Aries Merritt at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting in China. The US...
May 20th
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Aries Merritt on World of Warcraft
Aries Merritt will be hoping to pick up where he left off in 2012 when he opens his 2013 Diamond League campaign in Shanghai tomorrow. But did you know that he credits some of last year’s incredible success to the massively popular online role-playing game, World of Warcraft? [[MORE]] “When I first started playing the game, people warned me I would become addicted. I never thought...
May 17th
“I’ve never spoken to David Beckham, I’ve never seen David Beckham but it is my...”
– 110m hurdles world champion, Jason Richardson
May 17th
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Tyson Gay's top track moments
Tyson Gay, 30, is the American 100m record holder and the joint second fastest man ever. Here are his five favourite moments from a glittering career. [[MORE]] 2007 World Championships, Osaka: 100m, 200m and 4x100m Gay’s finest hour as he claimed triple gold, running down Asafa Powell in the 100m and claiming a decisive win over Usain Bolt in the 200m. Gay selects Osaka quite simply...
May 15th
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May 15th
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Michael Tinsley's long and hurdling road
Michael Tinsley has dipped below 49 seconds for the 400m hurdles in each of the past nine seasons: but he just could not make a major championships. In 2012, it finally came together as he landed Olympic silver with a new PB. This is his journey. [[MORE]] US World Championship Trials, 2007 Fresh out of college, Tinsley hoped to make a real impact as a professional athlete. He smashed his...
May 14th
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Inside the mind of an ultra-runner
On Saturday Robbie Britton and a couple of hundred others started running around the Dutch city of Steenbergen. They didn’t stop for 24 hours. Team GB’s Britton, 26, ran five full marathons and two-thirds of another: finishing 19th at his first World Championships. SPIKES just had to find out more about the marvellous madness of ultra-running… [[MORE]] You’ve just done a 24-hour PB of 239.008km...
May 14th
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Mutaz Essa Barshim takes the world's fastest...
You already know that Olympic bronze medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim is the high jump star of Qatar. But did you know that he loves Hollywood, Don Cheadle, Lil Wayne and holidaying at home?  [[MORE]] If you could chose another event to star in, what would it be? If I wasn’t a high jumper I would probably be a triple jumper because I like to jump. It is fun to me. What did you have for breakfast...
May 13th
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Francena McCorory's track beats dream
SPIKES has made Francena McCorory boss for a day and things just got interesting. The US Olympic 4x400m gold medallist and Jacko fan thinks athletes should be able to listen to their favourite tunes on the track.  [[MORE]] “I think it would be really cool if we were allowed to take our headphones on the track. It would be attractive for the younger fans. They would all be looking out to see who...
May 10th
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Top ten: Diamond days
With the new Diamond League season opening in Doha on Friday, SPIKES remembers ten great moments from the previous three seasons of the elite athletics series.  [[MORE]] Aries Merritt, 110m hurdles, Brussels 2012 The Olympic champion added the world record to his CV with a scintillating 12.80 in the final Diamond League event of the season. He obliterated the previous world best of 12.87, and...
May 9th
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Jonny May: "Speed is a very important part of my...
He’s as quick as Usain Bolt over 40m, is a former pole vaulter, and fancies himself as a potential triple jumper. Meet Gloucester winger and recent England call-up Jonny May, a man who owes some of his rugby success to the sport of athletics. [[MORE]] We’ve heard that you recorded 4.63 for the 40m – 0.01 faster than Usain Bolt ran for the first 40m when setting his world record time of 9.58 at...
May 9th
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Science Lesson - High Jump
May 8th
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The Diamond League is back: first stop, Doha
Iron your arm flags, fans, it’s IAAF Diamond League time. The 2013 season starts in Doha, Qatar on Friday, with the likes of Allyson Felix, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and David Rudisha headlining an all-star cast.  [[MORE]] So what’s on the agenda at the Qatar Sports Club stadium? Well the startlists are awash with Olympic and world medallists but perhaps the star attraction is David...
May 8th
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Weekend in numbers: The stars of field and track...
Tyson Gay, Keshorn Walcott (above) and Johannes Hock lay down some huge markers as the athletics season bursts into life.  [[MORE]] 3 – The place Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt sits on Forbes’ list of America’s Most Influential Athletes. Out of contract American footballer Tim Tebow heads the list ahead of Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps. 3 – The position on the all-time lists that Kenyan...
May 7th
Jamaican Idol: Meet the hurdling popstar Shevon...
Two-time Olympian Shevon Stoddart is also an established recording artist, so pop your headphones in and read on to find out what drives the LA-based Jamaican 400m hurdler, who last summer provided the musical entertainment for Puma and Usain Bolt. [[MORE]] SPIKES: What came first, the passion for music or athletics? Shevon Stoddart: “I always wanted to be a singer and I started taking voice...
May 6th
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Meet the world's fastest beer miler
Aussie Josh Harris, 22, slashed more than four seconds from the beer mile world record with an unratified 5:04.9 at the Parkville event in Melbourne last weekend. SPIKES caught up with Harris to find out more about the art of chucking beer down your neck and running very fast. [[MORE]] How many beer miles have you raced in, and why did you first decide to give them a go? “I heard about...
May 3rd
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Tyson Gay: "I think my best years are ahead of me"
Find out how one of the world’s fastest men ever must battle his own body, not to mention Usain Bolt, for a shot at immortality. [[MORE]] It is six years since Tyson Gay ruled the world of sprinting. Although 2007 should probably come with the prefix BB: Before Bolt, or at least Before Bolt bolted. BB, Gay was king, landing a memorable 100m, 200m and 4x100m treble at the World...
May 1st
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April 2013
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Commonwealth Games poster girl Eilidh Child seeks...
Scottish 400m hurdler Eilidh Child talks to SPIKES about having to raise her game; an excellent indoor season; celeb spotting with Jess Ennis, and making her mark in Moscow. [[MORE]] “Bloody awful” and “too timid” were just two of the blunt terms used to describe Eilidh Child’s hurdles technique when she first joined the training group of Malcolm Arnold. So far, so bad. But rather than sulk or...
Apr 30th
Khotso Mokoena: “I think I’m half-man, half-croc”
What’s the difference between South Africa’s long jump superstar Khotso Mokoena and James Bond?  The answer: The Olympic silver medallist does his own crocodile stunts! [[MORE]] Today in Tongaat on Durban’s North Coast, a dream finally came true for crocodile man Khotso Mokoena as the long jumper leapt over a creek of snapping crocs at Crocodile Creek, which is home to over 5,000 Nile Crocodiles...
Apr 29th
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Meet Sean Hartnett: Professor Marathon
He’s known as Professor Marathon for his phenomenal all-around knowledge of the 26.2-mile distance, so SPIKES had to find out more about Sean Hartnett: writer, photographer, course mapper, technical expert and tactical guru; and his longstanding love affair with the iconic event. [[MORE]] While working on a Ph.D. in Geography at the University of Wisconsin with a passion for British punk...
Apr 29th
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A Bolt from Japan, Beer Mile WR, relays, US...
SPIKES rounds up a big weekend of new records, huge crowds and relay excitement featuring Alysia Montano, Yoshihide Kiryu, Josh Harris and Yarisley Silva. [[MORE]] 4 – The number of seconds Australia’s Josh Harris trimmed off the Beer Mile world record (note, Josh’s mark is still to be ratified) at the Parkville Beer Mile event staged at the Rawlinson Track, Melbourne University, Australia....
Apr 29th
SPIKES POLL: Fantasy Diamond League
Apr 26th
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Okoye standing on the shoulders of Bears, Cowboys...
As Olympic discus finalist Lawrence Okoye edges closer to becoming an NFL player, SPIKES pays homage to the athletes he’s following into American football, and a few other multi-talented sport swappers. [[MORE]] Willie Gault (USA), sprinter, bobsleigher and American footballer Few athletes have shown the sporting versatility of the Georgian-born all-rounder. A top-class sprinter and...
Apr 26th
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Pass the baton: 10 of the best relays ever
In a week of crazy relay action with the Drake Relays and Penn Relays, SPIKES celebrates the marvellous madness of baton masters. Here are ten great relay races. [[MORE]] Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games, men’s 4x400m final  Four years earlier at the London 1948 Games, a gifted Jamaican quartet were fancied to win gold but an injury to third leg runner Arthur Wint denied them a shot at glory....
Apr 25th
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Ashton Eaton finally beaten... by our decathlon...
In a bid to find something that Ashton Eaton isn’t a world beater at, SPIKES makes the decathlon WR holder take our test. Phones off, eyes down: it’s decathlon quiz time.  [[MORE]] 100m SPIKES: Which of the following animals would be quickest over 100m: a) horse, b) ostrich or c) dog? Eaton: “I would say dog”  WRONG! Ostriches can reach speeds of up to 45mph (72kph). Long...
Apr 24th
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Ten reasons why the Penn Relays rock
With 18,000 athletes expected to compete across three days of action, The Penn Relays, at least in terms of participants, can lay claim to be the world’s biggest annual athletics event. SPIKES offers ten reasons why the event, which starts on Thursday 25th April, is such an overwhelming success. [[MORE]] 1. History makers First run in 1895, the event is the oldest uninterrupted collegiate meet...
Apr 23rd
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Athletics hots up: a weekend of records and world...
What do English Gardner (above), Ashton Eaton (again), Erik Kynard and Tsegaye Kebede have in common? They’ve all made our weekend athletics round-up, for a start… [[MORE]] 1 – The number of seconds slower than her personal best time that Priscah Jeptoo clocked yesterday. She won the women’s race at the London Marathon in 2:20:15, a smidgen slower than when finishing third in last...
Apr 22nd
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Hugh Brasher: running the London Marathon
Hugh Brasher is in his first year of sole responsibility as race director of the Virgin London Marathon. We chat to Hugh, whose father Chris was a co-founder of the race, about his expectations for this Sunday’s mammoth event.  [[MORE]] How do you think your father would feel at you taking up the role as London Marathon race director? I think, firstly, he would be very surprised. I had a...
Apr 20th
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Professor Marathon: Why Mo will succeed
Dubbed ‘Professor Marathon’ by Ethiopian distance running icon Haile Gebrselassie, Sean Hartnett is the go-to-guy for all things marathoning. The American tactical and technical analyst offers us nine reasons why Olympic track champion Mo Farah will be a big hit when he makes his marathon debut in London next year. [[MORE]] 1 – He’s a great track performer “We do have a new...
Apr 19th
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Haile exclusive: my life in running
To mark his 40th birthday, long-distance great Haile Gebrselassie picks out his favourite moments from a glittering athletics career. Read about his accidental marathon debut, his ultimate frival Paul Tergat and his five favourite races. [[MORE]] My career highlight “It is very difficult to choose, but if I have to pick one, I think it would still perhaps be Sydney. That race appealed to many...
Apr 18th
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Preview: the 2013 London Marathon
Just one week after tragedy in Boston, millions around the world are expected to tune in to see a truly great festival of human endeavour. SPIKES previews the most incredible elite field ever. [[MORE]] Is it right for the London Marathon to go ahead, following the tragic explosions at the Boston Marathon? Absolutely. London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel insisted security arrangements would...
Apr 18th
“This is my Olympic final, and I’m going to take full advantage of the occasion...”
– 2003 World Champion Kim Collins on racing at the 2013 Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the London Olympic Stadium.
Apr 17th
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Ten of the best: Haile Gebrselassie turns 40
Today Haile Gebrselassie, one of the greatest distance runners in history, celebrates his 40th birthday. Still pounding out those miles, he secured a third successive Vienna half marathon victory at the weekend. SPIKES marks the occasion by remembering ten classic performances by the Ethiopian. [[MORE]] Thumped, 1992 World Junior Championships, Seoul: 10,000m A first major international title...
Apr 17th
Apr 17th
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From escaping dogs to escaping Kobe Bryant: Erik...
Meet ambitious high jumper and Olympic silver medallist Erik Kynard. The bright young thing talks to SPIKES about high jumping away from danger, London 2012, and why winning gold means everything. [[MORE]] Erik Kynard, 22, recalls the moment with clarity. As a 12-year-old boy growing up in Toledo, Ohio, he hopped over the fence to retrieve a ball and was confronted with a barking dog....
Apr 17th
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Meet Dominican Republic's rising star
Luguelin Santos became the youngest Olympic 400m medallist in history at London 2012. Here he tells SPIKES about his remarkable story to sprint stardom. [[MORE]] Of all the uplifting and inspirational stories to have emerged from London’s Olympic Stadium last summer few can match the tale of 400m silver medallist Luguelin Santos.[[MORE]] Raised in abject poverty in the small town of Bayaguana...
Apr 16th
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Weekend in numbers: The only way is up for Kirani...
Our weekend of athletics in numbers charts the continued rise of Kirani James; a new 100m WL from Diondre Batson; the enduring appeal of Haile Gebrselassie; race walks firsts; multi-event matrimony; good news for European teens and Kenenisa Bekele in the wind. [[MORE]] 2 – The number of successive seasons world and Olympic 400m champion Kirani James has opened his 400m campaign with victory in...
Apr 15th
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Fantasy athletics with Bolt, Ennis, Rudisha,...
Wouldn’t it be great to see just how far certain athletes would go if they dedicated themselves to a different event? SPIKES picks five athletes that we’d love to see unleash their talents on another discipline…  [[MORE]] Usain Bolt – Long jump Even with the most rudimentary technique, his superhuman speed could bring nine metres into range. Well, perhaps not. But then who would...
Apr 12th
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The SPIKES guide to the Boston Marathon
Heartbreak Hill, a milestone in gender equality, more than a century of history and the most major of Majors: the Boston Marathon has it all. Read the SPIKES guide to the one of our sport’s greatest races. [[MORE]] Okay, so what do we need to know about the Boston Marathon? Well, it is part of the elite World Marathon Majors (WMM), a series of six of the world’s leading marathons. Boston...
Apr 12th
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Janay DeLoach: the long jumper with the high...
As Olympic bronze medallist Janay DeLoach sits our superfast test, we find out she’s a hard working future occupational therapist, and has the world’s most talented dog… [[MORE]] Which other event would you like to star in? The sprint hurdles. The long jump is great, but to run fast and be one of the best, that would be amazing. What is your favourite pre-competition snack? For...
Apr 11th
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Yohan Blake: “I could be the fastest bowler in the...
After hearing that he’s about to launch his very own twenty20 cricket league, SPIKES caught up with the world 100m champion Yohan Blake to talk exclusively about his first love: cricket. He’s an avid fan, regular player and potential superstar. As you might have guessed, he’s not lacking in confidence… [[MORE]] What was your first cricketing memory? My first cricket memory was back...
Apr 10th
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Training in a freezer with Jenn Suhr
When we interviewed US Olympic pole vault champion Jenn Suhr earlier this year she told us about her quirky training facility in Riga, New York state. The freezing base has helped propel her to the world indoor pole vault record, so SPIKES braved the cold to find out more… [[MORE]] Do-it-yourself training “My husband and coach, Rick [Suhr] built the facilities over a dozen years ago...
Apr 10th
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Chris Brown relives Bahamas' golden moment
The Bahamian 4x400m team provided one of the feel-good moments of the London 2012 Olympics. The tiny Caribbean nation slayed the mighty USA to take gold, and SPIKES asked team skipper Chris Brown about ‘The Golden Knights’ famous victory, partying until 5am, and what’s next. [[MORE]] Daegu defeat “I knew gold was within our grasp after the 2011 World Championships. That is when I...
Apr 10th
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Queen Harrison: it's all about the hair
Queen Harrison helped to set a hurdles shuttle relay world best at the weekend. But when she’s not hurdling you can find her on YouTube, offering a blow-by-blow account of her latest do. SPIKES finds out more about track’s glamour girl… [[MORE]] “I have been into hair since middle school. At elementary school I wore my hair wrapped up but it was only at middle school,...
Apr 9th
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SPIKES meets the flying Dutchman
The European Indoor heptathlon champion Eelco Sintnicolaas tells SPIKES about his 100m sprint transformation, struggling to touch his toes, competing against Ashton Eaton and his famous namesake Santa. [[MORE]] As arguably the world’s leading pole vaulting decathlete you would imagine the wonderfully-named Eelco Sintnicolaas to be as flexible and bendy as the poles he uses to flip over the...
Apr 9th
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Olympic stars go Bahamas for Chris Brown's big...
Olympic 4x400m champion Chris Brown has entered a new world as a meet promoter, and SPIKES catches up with him ahead of the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational on Sunday, which features fellow sprint stars Kirani James and Veronica Campbell-Brown. [[MORE]] How did you dream up the idea for the meeting? The idea came to me two years ago, and I decided to take up the challenge. I love a...
Apr 8th
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