USA Track Field – News – Team USA grabs two victories during first day of Aviva London Grand Prix

LONDON–Team USA picked up a pair of event championships and placed another six athletes in the top three of their events during the first day of the Diamond League Aviva London Grand Prix Friday. Competition continues Saturday.

Bianca Knight and Jennifer Suhr claimed victories in the women’s pole vault and the women’s 200 meters, respectively, to lead the American group.

Knight blistered the field in the 200m with a winning time of 22.69. She finished ahead of Shalonda Solomon, who placed third in a time of 22.85. Suhr, the American record holder and the 2008 Olympic Games Silver medalist in the event, cleared 4.79m/15-8.5 to win the pole vault.

Other Americans also placing in the top three included: Ben True, who placed second in the 5,000m (13:28.21); Brandon Bethke, who finished third in the 5,000m (13:33.16); Jason Richardson, who finished second in the 110m hurdles (13.08); David Oliver, who finished third in the 110m hurdles (13.19); Michael Rodgers, who finished third in the 100m (10.04) and Brian Olinger, who finished second in the 3,000m steeplechase (8:23.36).

Team USA continues to train and compete in preparation for the 2011 World Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which are slated for August 27-September 4 in Daegu, South Korea.

Jared Slinde
USA Track & Field
Communications Manager
Jared.Slinde@usatf.org