EME NEWS (DEC 24, 2009)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE !

CHRISTMAS TIME – BOLT AND ISINBAYEVA

Christmas time also in world of athletics. Some were still running their normal planned portion, some having holidays. Or not exactly. In Russia for example the Christmas celebrations are later on January 6. That is why Russian Athletics Federation had its annual conference on Thursday. And by the way also Pole Vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva is normally training at her base in Formia, Italy. She was voted Sportswoman of the Year by US Sports Academy where 1.7 millions voters participated through websites of NBC Sports and USA Today. 10 000 m World Champion Linet Masai was third. Worlds fastest man Usain Bolt went home on December 24 to Trelawny and will celebrate Christmas with his family as it is usual in Jamaica, USA, Great Britain, Australia and other countries on December 25th. Coach Glen Mills gave the whole group a break until Monday December 28. Bolt was third in the USSA vote as he was beaten by boxer Manny Pacquiao of Philippines and tennis star Roger Federer.

ATHLETICS INTERNATIONAL: AS EXPECTED BOLT AND RICHARDS

LONDON (GBR): Usain Bolt and Sanya Richards are Athletes of the Year by readers of Peter Matthews and Mel Watman bulletin Athletics International. Bolt recieved 548 points ahead of Kenenisa Bekele (342) and Steven Hooker (165). Fourth is Tyson Gay (104) ahead of LaShawn Merritt (90). With slight differences the same top five as by Track and Field News. In the women section Richards got 420 points ahead of Blanka Vlasic (247), Valerie Vili (232). That is the same order as by Track and Field News. Only afterwards small change. Yelena Isinbayeva is fourth (115) beating Anita Wlodarczyk into fifth (109). That is reversed in comparison with the US monthly.

US ATHLETES OF THE YEAR: GAY AND RICHARDS

MOUNTAIN VIEW (USA): As already announced by USATF also by Track and Field News the US Athletes of the Year 2009 are Tyson Gay and Sanya Richards. Gay got 254 points (90.7 percent) close before LaShawn Merritt who achieved 245 and that is 87.5 percent. Also close third Dwight Phillips with 229 (81.8 percent). He is followed by other world champions Christian Cantwell (fourth, 194), Trey Hardee (fifth, 180) and Kerron Clement (sixth, 147). Top ten is completed by 7th Bernard Lagat (112), 8th Jeremy Wariner (53), 9th Terrence Trammell (42) and 10th Dathan Ritzenhein (36). Richards was voted almost unanimous with 268 points what is 99.3 percent. She is followed by other sprinters Allyson Felix (239) and Carmelita Jeter (212). Long jump world champion Brittney Reese is fourth (197) ahead of Lashinda Demus (146). Then distance runners are following Anna Willard (6th, 102), Jenny Barringer (7th, 89) and Shannon Rowbury (8th, 85). Hurdler Dawn Harper (9th, 70) and another runner Christin Wurth-Thomas (10th, 21) are completing the women top ten.

BARNI HAVING CHRISTMAS

BARCELONA (ESP): Barni in disguise, dressed as Santa Claus, was the big surprise among all athletics fans that have bought an event- or 3-Day pass for Barcelona 2010 lately. Together with the recent European Cross Country runner-up Rosa Morató, a major Catalan athletics hope with regard to Barcelona 2010, Barni surprised multi-day ticket holders who went to the Wala store in Paseo de la Zona Franca, close to the Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys de Montjuďc, to pick up their present box that comes with each event pass.

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