Leading US athletes warm-up for ‘worlds’ at Cork Sports

SEVERAL leading US athletes are eyeing the BUPA Cork City Sports on July 5 in their lead up to the world championships in Paris.

Ireland’s premier international athletics meeting attracted a new interest when it was awarded EAA Permit status and now it stands just short of Grand Prix level.

Last year athletes from 37 nations competed at The Mardyke and City Sports Chairman, Dick Hodgins, said yesterday this figure may well be exceeded this year. The US athletes who have expressed an interest in competing include the newly crowned world indoor sprint champion, Justin Gatlin, who has run 10.05 seconds for 100m and an even more impressive 19.96 for 200m.

“Other speedsters who may be Cork-bound are Tim Harden who has run 9.92 for 100m, Derrick Brew, who has a best of 44.29 for 400m and Angelo Taylor,” Dick Hodgins said.

Tora Harris who has high jumped 2.34m confirmed to the organisers at the world indoor championships in Birmingham he intends to return to Cork this year and could be joined by Dave Furman, 2.32m and Charles Clinger, 2.35m, while the American champion, Seneca Lassiter, who has a best of 3:32 is almost definite for the 1,500m. Grace Upshaw, the No 1 long jumper in the US, is all set to return to Cork as well.

She won the opening IAAF Grand Prix event of the season in Martinique to illustrate her current form and Jacqui Edwards from the Bahamas who was placed in Martinique, could also be in the line-up.

With Cork’s Derval O’Rourke in flying form now there will be a lot of interest in the 100m hurdles. Joyce Bates, with a best of 12.82, is among the early entrants while Vonette Dixon form Jamaica, who won the event last year and was placed second in Martinique, is all set to return.

Cadace Young who has run 11.23 seconds for 100m is also among the possible candidates having expressed an interest in competing in Cork.

“Contrary to recent media reports the Japanese team are set to return to Cork,” Dick Hodgins said.