Cork date for Olympic champion Phillips

Brendan Mooney

It is the second major coup for organisers, who last month confirmed the presence of Kelly Holmes, the double goal medallist in Athens.

And City Sports chairman, Dick Hodgins remains hopeful of securing further high profile entrants.

For Phillips, however, it will be the start of a lightning tour of the major meets in Europe, which this year includes the world championships in Helsinki.

Phillips launched his outdoor season last weekend at the Grand Prix II meeting in Mortinique but not in the long jump.

competed in the 100m in which Maurice Green ran the fastest time of the season (10.03secs) Phillips was third in (10.14secs).

“He will come to Cork directly from the US trials so expect him to be in peak condition,” Hodgins said. “After the pressure and tension of those trials he will be in a more relaxed mood and that is when you often get a big performance from him.”

Two years ago at the world championships in Paris he set the standard with 8.09m, regained the lead with 8.25m and then came back with a gold medal winning 8.32m after James Beckford and Ignisious Gaisah had led. He then went on to star in an equally enthralling contest in Athens.

Two Russians including Vitaliy Shkurlatov, who finished third behind Phillips at last year’s world indoor championships in Vienna are also to compete at the Mardyke along with South American champion, Victor Castillo and Irish national record holder, Ciaran McDonagh.

The Meathman became the first Irishman to clear eight metres at the world championships in Seville in 1999. However, he has since struggled with injury, missing two Olympic Games but is now back in full training in America.

The long jump event replaces the pole vault, which was beset by problems last year with poles getting lost in transit .

“It is already shaping up to be a very exciting meeting,” Hodgins added. “We already have two Olympic champions and we are awaiting confirmation from some more stars.”

This year’s meet will feature 16 international events: Men’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, high jump, long jump

Women’s 100m, 200m, 400m,1,500, 3,000m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump.

There will be a junior men’s 1,500m and a junior women’s 800m by special request.