Beside King Bolt, many top athletes will try to confirm their great form and impress the audience at the Stade Louis-II, which will be sold out. Here’s a presentation of the headline athletes who answered press questions this Thursday afternoon.
Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA) – 25 years old – world record holder for the 400m (43’’03)
“My form is quite amazing, I broke my records in the 100m and 200m, so I feel very good. In Lausanne and Ostrava, I held back a little for this event and the world championships, the season is long. To drop below 43 seconds, you need the right race, the right conditions. A world record can’t be planned, it could be tomorrow (this Friday) or next year.”
On Bolt: “I have immense respect for him and thank him for his compliments. We must honor him until his last race. Taking over from him? It’s unimaginable today, he’s given so much to athletics, I still have a long way to go before I can be compared to him…”
Thomas Röhler (GER) – 25 years old – second-best javelin performer worldwide in 2017 (93m90)
“Before, the world record (Zelezny, 98m48 in 1996) seemed unattainable but the competition is becoming interesting, our confrontations with Vetter (2nd best performance of all time) are going in that direction. I’m ready to deliver a performance. Throwing in good conditions is always pleasant, I enjoy fast tracks so it shouldn’t be too hot as the track becomes more flexible.”
Kendra Harrison (USA) – 24 years old – world record holder in the 100m hurdles (12’’20)
“After the Olympics (not qualified as 6th in the US trials), I quickly set my sights on the world championships and achieving the best possible performance. I am in shape, the 12’’28 (in Hungary on July 4th) showed that I was on the right path. The girls have more races in their legs than I do after my wrist surgery but I’m getting into condition. My goal is clear: to win my first world title. Friday’s race promises to be exciting, on a track that is always fast, I can’t wait.”
On Bolt: “He has inspired so many athletes. Once again, the atmosphere in the stadium will be incredible because he is there.”
Marya Lasistskene (RUS) – 24 years old – best high jump performer of the year (2m06)
“I trained a lot to reach this level. My status as a neutral athlete? I accept the situation, I am delighted to be back on the track and the girls have welcomed me well, so it’s a return to normal. I’m not thinking about the world record, I’m quite detached from that, I don’t think much about the height outside of competitions. Tomorrow (this Friday), I will participate for the second time in the Monaco meet, I like this track.”
Photo credit: Official Facebook page of the Herculis Meeting
