“I never took part in such a competition, this truly is a new experience for me”, he said. But he was clear about one thing: “An event of this kind and the location are great to perform. That’s what I will focus on.”

Even if he doesn’t exactly know what to expect, his friends who had taken part in the Shot Put-Event in previous years told him about their experiences they had made. They fancied the location and reported it was a “phenomenal event”.

The Swiss fans will have a share of the great atmosphere when they push the athletes to new heights. Shawn Barber sees it as a Win-Win situation that the spectators are so close. “The fans are happy when they can be near and we appreciate when they can support us to the fullest.”

Shawn Barber expects great conditions

Besides the support through the spectators the Canadian is expecting great conditions at the main train station. And he wants to capitalize: “I want to present a good show and come out on top. I do know that the others have the same goal. It’s going to be a great competition”, Shawn Barber mentioned.
Just days after the end of the World Championship he has no doubt about his shape: “I still feel very good. I’m returning from a great contest in Beijing. I performed well. I think I’m really in shape and I want to continue where I stopped last”.

Also enjoying his great form is German opponent Raphael Holzdeppe.  He had a few good training sessions back in Beijing which he enjoyed very much before leaving for good. The only question he asks himself is, if he will be able to accommodate to the travel back to Europe after arriving from China just yesterday. But he’s hot and wants to attack in the remaining four contests of the season. Zurich is just the first step.

 

Birthday surprise for Kirani James

“It really took me by surprise, I’m not really a big birthday person so when I saw that I was really surprised”, the now 23 year old said.

Two days prior to “Weltklasse Zürich” the fast athlete from Grenada is already focused on his race. “I’ll just relax, I have a kids clinic that I have to go to around 4.30pm, I’m going to do that but most of the day I’ll just relax, I have a meet coming up so I can’t do much and have an easy birthday”, he said.

Kirani James is ready for the big race

One date that he feels very strong about is on his agenda nonetheless. Kirani James will take part in Biberist at “Jugend trainiert mit Weltklasse”. „I’ve done this a couple of years now so I’m used to it by now, it’s going to be special, see the kids out there, try to help them and motivate them and see how much of an impact I have in their life. It always gives you motivation to continue to be the best in your sport and just try to be a good role model.”

“It was good, long, but I’m back and acclimatized so I feel good, I sleep through the night so that’s a good sign”, said the bronze medallist from Peking asked about how he travelled to Zurich.

For Kirani James it’s all about the victory of the Diamond Trophy this coming Thursday in the Letzigrund Stadium. “The first goal is always to put on a great show for the fans. I just want to go out there and do my best, represent my country well and just try to compete, these are going to be the same guys from the World Championships so I expect a very competitive, exciting race”, James said, looking ahead of his race.

Source: Weltklasse Zürich