2-time Olympic shot put medalist John Godina retires

Press Release
John Godina, at the age of 36 one of the most decorated throwers in track-and-field history with nine Olympic and World Championships medals to his credit, has announced his retirement.

From the day-to-day challenges of training to the intensity of competition, I will miss the rigors of being an athlete, said Godina, a four-time World Champion and two time Olympic medalist.  But I am retiring with pride and a true sense of satisfaction with what I’ve accomplished. I’m happy to have played a large role in the drug-free revolution in my events, and I look forward to continuing a heavy involvement in the sport.

Godina’s 14-year professional career began in 1995 with a gold medal in the shot put at the World Championships just months after winning NCAA titles in both the shot and discus. He would repeat as World Champion outdoors in 1997 and 2001, also winning a World Indoor title in 2001. At the 1996 Olympics, he won a silver medal in the shot put, and at the 2000 Olympics earned a bronze medal.

Also a two-time US discus champion, Godina in 1996 became the first American in 72 years to make the US Olympic team in both the shot and discus, and his six appearances at the World Championships outdoors ties him for the most by an American male.

Twice a Jesse Owens Award winner as the top male track-and-field athlete in the US, Godina was a pioneer in the crusade against the use of performance-enhancing drugs. He plans to continue his volunteer work with the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Godina recently began coaching throwers, including 2007 US runner-up Dan Taylor. Founder of the Whole Fitness gym and kPilates in Mesa, Ariz., he and his wife, Kendra Jordan, will open a second fitness studio, Karve, in nearby Scottsdale next
month.

Godina has also just opened John Godina’s World Throws Center and John Godina’s Center for Track and Field, a 13,000-foot training facility in Mesa for elite athletes in all areas of the sport.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - USA Indoor Nationals Preview

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Join hosts Jay Hicks and John W. Davis on this special edition USA Indoor Track & Field Championships Preview show.  Read more

Trio of Olympic medalists lead men’s field at USA Indoor Champs

USA Track & Field Press Release

BOSTON - Olympic and World Outdoor Championships medalists Terrence Trammell, Adam Nelson and Dwight Phillips will headline a stellar men’s field at the 2009 USA Indoor Track & Field Championship, February 28-March 1 at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College in Boston.

The concluding event of USATF’s Indoor Visa Championship Series, the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships is the world’s oldest indoor track championship, with the first meet being held in 1888 in New York. The USA Indoor Championships will be televised live on ESPN 2 on Sunday, March 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

A two-time Olympic Games 110m hurdles silver medalist, Terrence Trammell has enjoyed a highly successful indoor campaign this year. It began January 30 at the 102nd Millrose Games in New York, where Trammell won the 60m hurdles in the fastest time in the world this year of 7.45 seconds, and followed that with a runner-up finish in the Millrose men’s 60 meters in 6.54. At the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on Feb. 7, Trammell won the 60m hurdles in 7.53, and the next week he won the 60 meter dash (6.56) Feb. 13 at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. Trammell, who will run only the 60m hurdles at the championships, will be challenged by Dexter Faulk, who won in Karlsruhe earlier this year in 7.50 seconds.

The 2005 World Outdoor men’s shot put champion and a two-time Olympic silver medalist, Adam Nelson enters the championships in the Visa men’s shot put following his win earlier this year at the Millrose Games (20.79 meters/68 feet, 2.50 inches). Nelson, who owns four USA outdoor titles, will be gunning for his third national indoor crown, and his first since 2002. His chief competitor likely will be 2004 Olympic Trials fourth-place finisher Dan Taylor, who ended the 2008 season ranked #10 in the world by Track & Field News.

2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Outdoor champion, Dwight Phillips will compete in Boston this weekend, but not in his specialty. One of the finest long jumpers in U.S. track and field history, Phillips will compete in the Nike men’s 60 meter dash, where he’ll be looking for his first national title in that event. Phillips will do battle with 2007 USA Indoor 60m champion Dabryan Blanton, who finished first in Dusseldorf on February 13 in a season’s best time of 6.59 seconds, and 2007 USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place 100m finisher Mark Jelks.

Look for an interesting matchup in the men’s 800 meters as 2004 Olympian Khadevis Robinson does battle with 2008 Olympic team member Christian Smith. In one of the most unforgettable moments of the Trials, Smith’s desperate dive across the finish line gave him the third and final Olympic Team berth in the men’s 800 and  and barely kept Robinson from qualifying for Beijing. Robinson will be in search of his fifth U.S. Indoor crown, while Smith will attempt to earn his first.

Also in the 800 meters, keep an eye on 25-year old Tetlo Emmen, who won the 2007 Big West Conference outdoor title while at UC-Santa Barbara. Emmen, who battled injuries in 2008 and is reportedly in the best shape of his life, lowered his personal best last year to 1:46.04.

Three-time U.S. Outdoor 1,500m champion and American mile record holder Alan Webb will headline the Visa men’s 1,500 meters. Webb will be challenged by two-time USA Outdoor Championships fourth-place finisher Chris Lukezic and 2008 Olympic Trials finalist Rob Myers, who ended last season ranked #10 in the U.S. by T&FN.

American record holder Bernard Lagat, who had previously announced his intent to compete in the men’s 1,500m for the first time at the national indoor championships, has withdrawn from the race. Lagat sustained an ankle injury while competing in Birmingham, England, on Saturday and is resting the ankle as he continues to get it evaluated and treated.

In the men’s 3,000 meters, 2008 Olympic Trials 10,000m fifth-place finisher Josh Rohatinsky has the fastest qualifying time of 7 minutes 49.55 seconds, and look for two-time Olympian Tim Seaman in the men’s 5,000m race walk. Seaman won this event 10 times in a row between 1998 and 2007.

2008 Olympic Trials champion Jesse Williams, who ended the 2008 campaign ranked #6 in the world and set a new personal best with his clearance of 2.36 meters/7-8.75 earlier this indoor season, headlines the men’s high jump. He’ll be challenged by his two Beijing Olympics teammates Andra Manson and Dusty Jonas. Last year Manson won the bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships and Jonas was the NCAA Indoor champion while competing for Nebraska.

Other field event standouts to keep an eye on include Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Jacob Pauli in the Gill men’s pole vault, 2008 Pac 10 Outdoor champion and NCAA runner-up Matt Turner in the long jump, 2008 USA Indoor Champs fourth-place finisher and Olympic Trials fifth-place finisher Brandon Roulhac in the triple jump and reigning Olympic Trials hammer throw champion and four-time USA Indoor champion A.G. Kruger in the 35 lb. weight throw.

For more information about the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships or to purchase tickets, log onto www.visachampionshipseries.com or www.usatf.org. For questions regarding tickets, please call (317) 713-4680. USATF welcomes you to purchase tickets with your Visa Card. Visa is the only credit card accepted by USATF.

Nike Shoe Box Experience

The Nike Shox Experience + is a combined of features from several of Nike’s top running shoes. It has the Max Air and Zoom Air cushioning, Natural Motion Engineering and Nike+ flexibility, to name a few. It comes in a Silver/Orange colorway sporting a Nike+ pocket under the sockliner which provides a secured place for the iPod sensor.

Faulk named USA Track & Field Athlete of the Week

-USA Track & Field Press Release.

INDIANAPOLIS - Dexter Faulk has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the men’s 60m hurdles at two IAAF indoor permit meets in Europe last week.

Faulk was victorious in Karlsruhe on Sunday, February 15 in a personal best time of 7.50 seconds before winning again Saturday in Birmingham, England, in 7.54 seconds. In Birmingham, Faulk defeated 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist David Payne (2nd-7.55) and Beijing bronze medalist David Oliver (4th-7.57). Fellow American Joel Brown was third in 7.56.

Now in its eighth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2009 USATF Athlete of the Week Winners: January 6, Mason Finley; January 13, Amber Campbell; January 20, Josh Cox; January 27, German Fernandez; February 3, Ashton Eaton; February 10, Shalane Flanagan; February 17, Galen Rupp; February 25, Dexter Faulk.

Courtesy of USA Track & Field.

Her Royal “Highness”, Jenn Stuczynski, looks for another national title

-USA Track & Field Press Release

BOSTON - The reigning Royal Highness of the women’s pole vault, Jenn Stuczynski won her first career national title at the 2005 USA Indoor Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center. In Boston this weekend at the 2009 edition of the meet, she’s looking for her fourth indoor national title, seventh national title overall and possibly another American record at what has proven to be one of her favorite venues.

She’s also looking for an Indoor Visa Championship to go along with the outdoor overall Visa Championship she won in 2008. She likely will enter the meet atop the Visa Championship Series point standings, with 1,197 points.

When Stucyznski won the women’s vault at the 2005 USA Indoor Championships with a clearance of 4.35m/14-3.25, her coach had to tell announcers who she was and how to pronounce her name. (It’s Stuh-ZINN-ski). A basketball player at tiny Roberts Wesleyan college in Rochester, N.Y., the nearly 6-foot-tall Stuczynski was discovered by vaulting coach Rick Suhr, whose enclave of vaulters in upstate New York was famous for practicing in an unheated Quonset hut.

Since then, she has become a household name not just in women’s vaulting, but in all of track and field. Now 27 years old, Stuczynski rose quickly through the ranks of her event, winning the 2006 USA Outdoor title and the 2007 USA Indoor and Outdoor crowns. She broke out from the shadow of pioneering women’s pole vault icon Stacy Dragila when she broke Dragila’s American record outdoors in 2007, topping out at 4.88 meters, which converts to 16 feet even.

In 2008, Stuczynski got her season off to a great start by winning the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia, Spain. She continued to make American records outdoors a way of life, breaking her own record at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, California (4.90m/16-0.75) and improving it to 4.92m/16-01.75 at the Olympic Trials.

It was at the Olympic Trials that Stuczynski’s Olympic dreams stood on the precipice. By the time she took her first jump of the competition, at 4.60m/15-1.25, only two other athletes remained. Stuczynski missed her first two attempts at the height, and if she missed her third, there would be no Beijing. She not only cleared it, but went on to break her American record. Her clearance made her the #2 vaulter of all time, behind only world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia, and gave her the women’s outdoor Visa Championship.

In Beijing, she cemented her status by taking the silver medal with a clearance of 4.80m/15-9, behind Isinbayeva’s gold-medal, world-record jump of 5.05m/16-6.75, continuing an exciting rivalry in women’s track and field and introducing Stuczynski to a new level of stress-management.

“You have to go through the Trials and you have to qualify, first, in the U.S., and that’s stressful,” Stuczynski recalled earlier this year. “As you know, I was on my third attempt at the opening height (at the Olympic Trials). I almost had a chance of not going. Then you go to the Olympics and the whole experience is mind-blowing. Until you’ve been in it, you really don’t understand it.”

Stuczynski understands winning, and her 2009 indoor season is off to a great start, winning all three Visa Championship Series meets - the 102^nd Millrose Games, Reebok Boston Indoor Games and Tyson Invitational. She has taken attempts at American-record heights at all three meets, and at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games at “The Reggie,” she finally took the indoor AR from Dragila by clearing 4.82m/15-9.75.

Yet even the most dominant American of the last three seasons has to overcome doubts on the runway. “I didn’t know if I was going to do well,” she said after her indoor American record. “I didn’t have a feeling about it going into this meet. It was a big question mark. I think it was a relief. It’s a mental game you play with yourself. I’ve tried this so many times (to break the record) and I wanted to make it today.”

At the USA Indoor Championships, Stuczynski will face a field that includes the resurgent Dragila, who at age 37 is competing in her final season. Dragila has been second to Stuczynski at each Visa championship Series meet in 2009, including a jump of 4.61m/15-1.5 at Millrose.

But if Stuczynski is on form, there is no American who can catch her.

Now the question is: how high can she go?

For more information about the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships or to purchase tickets, log onto www.visachampionshipseries.com or www.usatf.org. For questions regarding tickets, please call (317) 713-4680. USATF welcomes you to purchase tickets with your Visa Card. Visa is the only credit card accepted by USATF.

A Conversation with Allen Johnson: Honoring Track & Field’s Past and Bright Future

A Black History Month Q & A with Olympic gold medalist Allen Johnson.

During the span of his thirteen year track and field career, so far the Allen Johnson has won an Olympic gold, a total of 11 national titles and 11 World titles, safely securing his place as one of the greatest.

What makes the man larger than life is how hard he puts into all that he does.  During his career, the 110 meter hurdles has not been just satisfied with being a champion, he has shown almost unparalled longevity.  On the track, he has the qualities of a champion: stamina, dominance and clutch.

Off of the track, Johnson has given track & field a professional example especially for younger athletes. He is known on the circuit for advising younger runners on the sport’s potential pitfalls and how to survive in the track and field game.  Anyone that talks to him knows his distinct voice.  You know the confidence, but do you know the smile and infectious laugh?

We make such stars out of athletes that they turn into gods. It’s refreshing to speak with Allen.  In a time when no one in the world wants to be a role model, I knew here was man that never balked at that challenge. There is something important and rewarding about being a role model and those who fill such massive shoes.

PreRaceJitters.com had the opportunity to catch up with the Allen Johnson, and here is what the hurdling legend had to say:

PRJ: 2009 has already been historic with the election of President Barack Obama. What does Black History Month mean to you and why do you think it is important to have a month to honor Black heritage?
AJ: Black History Month is important because it is a time to acknowledge the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans.  There were times in the past when our achievements went un-noticed and were not talked about in the history books.  By acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans, one will have fuller picture of history.

PRJ: How important do you feel it is to use your platform as an Olympic gold medalist to make a positive influence on the future generations of African-Americans.
AJ: I feel it’s very important for me to use my influence as a professional athlete to influence as many young people as I can.  The scars of segregation still exist in the African American community and I try to stress to young people that they can do anything they put their minds to accomplishing.  That there will be barriers in life and that if you dream and believe that they can be whatever they want.

PRJ: Were there any public figures that you felt were role models or someone in particular that you looked up?
AJ: I must say that when I was young I didn’t pay much attention to public figures much, but the person I looked up to was my mother.  My mother had the gumption to strive for a career in the business world in a time when business was very much a White male-dominated field.  I feel she is part of a generation of women that broke barriers and paved the way for those that came after her.

PRJ: How important was Jesse Owens’ 1936 Olympic performance that broke the color barrier?
AJ: Jesse Owens’ performance in the 1936 Berlin Olympics was important in breaking the color barrier because it showed that African Americans were not less of an athlete than their white counterparts.  It was very significant also because it was an African American that showed to Nazi Germany that the Arian race was not superior and that all people are equal.

PRJ: Do you think its important for you and people like you, who have a strong understanding of your heritage, to influence those that may not be as aware, so that they know about African-American history?
AJ: I think i t is very important to let all people know about African American history for the simple fact the it is history and we need to all we can about what has happened before us.

PRJ: This is your 13th year as a professional hurdler, during that time you have won an Olympic gold medal, countless world and national titles.  How have you embraced being a role model too so many?
AJ: Yes, I have really embraced being a role model. I understand that because of my position that I will have some who will look to me for direction and even imitate some of what I do.  So it’s important to me to set a good example for young people to follow.

PRJ: On a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being the highest, how is your training progressing based on your plans for the 2009 and why?
AJ: At this point my training is going pretty well.  It’s hard to give it a number, but I am on track for achieving my goal of gaining a berth on the World Championship Team competing this summer in Berlin, Germany.

PRJ: It was pleasure to work with you, and wish you the best in 2009.

Lolo Jones, Mo Farah put on quite a show in Birmingham.

This is why the Aviva Grand Prix draws crowd.

Has British distance regained some life?

Britain’s Mo Farah blew again the field, winning by nearly six seconds and lowering his own 3,000 meter British national record to 7:34.47. Farah was all smiles and fist pumping after wards.

Regardless of the time Mo Farah is good theatre.

But fans already knew this and that’s why they packed the house on Saturday.

During this season, Farah broke the British record with 7:40.99 in Glasglow, England, followed that performance up 7:35.95 for 3,000 meters.

This is another reason why fans flock to the Aviva Grand Prix.

World indoor champion Lolo Jones eased to victory in the 60 meter hurdles in 7.82. The time equals her world leading time she put down last week in Germany. Anay Tejeda of Cuba was 0.18 behind.
After wards Jones showed a big grin?

It’s called charisma. And if she didn’t have it, and you weren’t as enthralled and transfixed, would the BBC network have been so eager to make the Aviva Grand Prix a prime-time event on the UK? It’s doubtful.

Jumping off of an international flight and getting three hours rest did not seem to bother Carmelita Jeter as she won the 60 in a personal-best 7.11.  Not to be left out of the action, 400 meter Olympic Champion Christine Ohuruogu ran a stirring come-from-behind victory at 200 meters (23.42).

Yelena Isinbayeva cleared 15 feet, 9 inches to win the pole vault, but failed three times to improve on her own world indoor record of 16-5.

Bernard Lagat was handed a rare lose in the 1,500 meters to Augustine Choge in 3:38.52. Another national record was established, Vivian Cheriuyot of Kenya put down 3,000 meters indoors at 8:30.53.  In other races, With a personal best, Britain’s Simeon Williamson took the men’s 60 meters in 6.53.

Click here for the full results of the Aviva Grand Prix.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show featuring Dwain Chambers Interview Excerpts

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This week Jay Hicks, John W. Davis and Scott Bush discuss the USA Track & Field Project 30.  We are also joined by analyst Tom Borish, who talks about his interview with British sprinter Dwain Chambers. Read more

All-Star cast heading to Birmingham for the Aviva Grand Prix.

Three-way battle to victory.
David Oliver, David Payne and Joel Brown compete Saturday in the 60 meter hurdles at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham, which is traditionally one of the largest meets of the indoor season.  David Oliver is coming into the race with a season’s best performance of 7.45 from Stuttgart from a week ago.

What happens when you try something new?
When you try something new is there excitement? Or is there nervousness?   After all it could fail.  Reigning champion Christine Ohuruogu is not accustomed to running indoors and adding to matters, she is running the shorter sprints.  So far this indoor season, the first female British athlete to win 400 meter Olympic gold, is set to run the 60 and 200 meters and so far they have run  7.36 and 23.41 respectively.

A new world record?
Speaking of new things.  Lolo Jones is entering the 60 meter and 60 meter hurdles.  The 2008 Olympian placed first in the Aviva International Match last month, while racking up subsequent wins in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe and is the world’s number one ranked 60 meter hurdles.

Unbeatable?
In two attempts Yelena Isinbayeva vaulted 5 meters, breaking her own world indoor pole vault record in Stuggart, her first competition of the season last Sunday.   The Russian superstar is the 2008 Beijing champion, current outdoor world record holder and number one ranked in the world.

Of course Isinbayeva is the women to beat this week – or any week.  Her competitors won’t deny it.  Will the Russian superstar break her own world record again this weekend?

Keep your eyes on these two
Bernard Lagat is undefeated in the 2009 season and is set to tow the 1,500 meter line against Kenya’s Augustine Choge and Portugal’s Rui Silva.  Last month, Mo Farah set the 3,000 British national record last month at the Aviva International Match.  This meet, the talented British runner is competing in the 3,000 meters, and might lower his national record.

400 meter showdown
Tyler Christopher of Canada, goes head-to-head against Xavier “X Man” Carter and Johan Wissman.  The “X Man” is coming off of a 46.98 second victory at the Tyson Invitational, this race however will give a view into how race ready he is right now.

Drop alert: Pamela Jelimo committed to the meet prior to cancelling the rest of her indoor season. Kelly Sotherton pulled out the competition because of a heel injury and hopes to be ready for the next month’s European Indoor Championships in Turin.

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