Felix to run 200m in Monaco – Samsung Diamond League

Monaco – Allyson Felix, who claimed both the 200m and 400m Diamond Race Trophies in 2010, will headline the 200m at the Herculis meeting in Monaco on 22 July, the 10th stop on the 14-meeting Samsung Diamond League series.

Felix, who has claimed the World 200m title in 2005, 2007 and 2009, will come to the Mediterranean Principality as one of her final rehearsals before heading to the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu in search of an astounding fourth crown.

Felix last ran at the Louis II Stadium when Monaco hosted the World Athletics Final in 2006, and thrilled the audience by winning the 200m in 22.27.

“Monaco is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I’m so grateful to be able to compete in front of the wonderful Monegasque people," said Felix, whose 2010 season's best was 22.03, the second fastest performance in the world.

"I’m expecting a great race as I look forward to defending my 200 metre World title and know that this will be a special night of athletics, I can’t wait!”

“It is always a satisfaction to have the best running in your meeting, but even more with Allyson," said Herculis Meeting Director Jean-Pierre Schoebel. "Indeed, not only she is one of the fastest women in the world, but her stride is simply beautiful and watching her compete is the perfect illustration of the magnificence of our sport. Herculis is glad to host Allyson and I am sure we will attend a great night of athletics.”

Felix will open her 2011 Samsung Diamond League campaign in Doha, Qatar, on 6 May, and is eagerly looking forward to the series's second season where she will again contest both the 200m and the 400m and face, on a regular basis, the world's best.

"I really enjoyed the first first year, it gave us something different to focus on," Felix said. "And I think it's always great to make those kind of match-ups happen."

Organisers