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…
Queen Harrison is one of the best all-round hurdlers on the planet, boasting a 100mh personal best of 12.61 and 400mh best of 54.55. SPIKES finds out how on earth she does both.
It’s the first race and the first discipline of the two-day heptathlon, so preparing properly is crucial. Friend of SPIKES KJT has this three step pre-race guide for warming up for the 100m hurdles.
2004 Olympic 100m hurdles champion Joanna Hayes wants to see athletes wearing customised kits.
The beautifully dreadlocked Will Smith lookalike (pre-dreads) and world 100m hurdles champion Jason Richardson opens up about his gift for the shot put, habitual banana theft and taking over the world with no trousers on.
How did you celebrate winning silver at London 2012?
If I tell you ALL of the celebratory activities I’d have to kill you but the milder moments involved dinner with my family, Olympic sponsored parties, and making memories for a lifetime.
In another life, world and Olympic sprint hurdle champion Sally Pearson could have been a high jumping weathergirl.
If you could choose another event to star in what would it be and why?
High jump. The long loping approach to the bar and then their graceful arch of their back really appeals to me.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Queensland mangoes. Now is the season.
SPIKES world view #2 – the top 50 female 100m hurdlers by nationality
Americans have dominated this discipline in 2012 with 19 of the fastest athletes. Canada, Jamaica and France are the next best places for women sprint hurdlers. World outdoor, world indoor and Olympic champion Sally Pearson is the only Southern Hemisphere athlete to rank in the top 50 (No.1).
Dawn Harper on Alicia Keys, Will Smith and Thanksgiving family-time at aunt Flossie’s house
Favourite holiday destination?
My aunt Flossie’s house in East St Louis where we meet every Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What did you have for breakfast today?
Ooops. It was really bad. I actually had a doughnut and a sausage, egg muffin from McDonalds.
If you could choose an another event other than your own to compete in what would it be and why?
The 100m. I love the pure speed of the event and to have the title as the fastest women alive would be awesome.
She sleeps with her spikes… 2012 Olympic 100m hurdles silver medallist and 2008 champion lets us rummage around in her kitbag.
Uniform
This will include four shorts and short sleeve vests, which I nearly always run in. It is called the Airbourne top and Nike say I am the only one that likes to run in them. Why do I run in them? Well, not many track and field girls have a chest, but I do. So my sports bras are different to the other girls and I just feel wearing the short-sleeved vests give me more coverage.
Do the Jenneke
Step 1
When your name is called by the stadium announcer, turn to face the camera (or your bedroom mirror), place your hands on your waist and start your routine.
Step 2
Now alternate those snake hips, transferring your body weight between each hip five times. You must do it with increasing amounts of oomph. Look sultry.
