Athletics Australia – News – Riseley to make European season debut in Ostrava

Australian 1500m champion Jeff Riseley will run in the 1000m at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava (CZE) tonight, a meet that is headlined by triple world and Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Less than 10 days ago Riseley won the 800m at the OXY High Performance Meet in California in a time that put him third on the Australian All-Time list and more importantly in the mix for IAAF world championships selection.

Having spent time training in London (GBR), Riseley will now step up to the 1000m against a Kenyan dominated field as he continues his push towards a qualifier for his preferred 1500m.

"The plan for Jeff has always been to push for the 1500m and the 1000m in Ostrava is another step towards this outcome," Nic Bideau, Riseley's coach, said last week.

"He has the ability to be the best in the world."

Bolt will compete in his second race in as many weeks and as it was in Rome, his main rival will be a fellow Jamaican. Steve Mullings is the world-leading 100m sprinter in a time of 9.89 and with Bolt vowing to put a bad performance in Rome behind him a quick time can be expected.

"Last year was my season off (with no global championships), and because it was so long between competitions, I really got nervous last week.

"I hadn't been that nervous in three or four years.

"I'm feeling more relaxed after getting that first race out of the way. I'm much more focused than I was last week."

In the men's 400m Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius will make his debut in Ostrava as he continues his attempt in recording a qualifying time for the South African World Championship team. Strong competition throughout the field may pull him into one, with American Chris Brown and Jermaine Gonzales (JAM) leading the way.

Hurdler Dayron Robles (CUB) arrives in the Czech Republic having posted a world-lead time in Hengelo (NED) only days ago, whilst in the field local favourite Barbora Spotakova will be looking to give her fans plenty to cheer about as she looks to avenge her defeat by Russian Mariya Abakumova at the Rome Diamond League last week.

German Silke Spiegelburg leads the charge in the women's pole vault, which also includes Jirina Ptacnikova (CZE). No athlete in the field has jumped higher than our own Alana Boyd this season.

With thanks to Zarah Al-Kudcy

Athletics Australia – News