The sprint events always provide plenty of excitement and drama, and this year some of the biggest names in world sprinting will go head-to-head at the Müller Anniversary Games (21-22 July).
Three of the biggest stars of recent sprinting history spoke to media today ahead of the event; Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) and Christian Coleman (USA).
Among those starring in the men’s 100m field will be the USA’s world 60m record holder Christian Coleman, who returns to the London Stadium with fond memories from last year’s IAAF World Championships.
He said: “I love coming to London. Obviously, I have got great memories here. I was at the track earlier and it brought back a lot of memories and I am looking forward to making more.
“It was my first major championships and I came here and got a silver medal, which is something I will never forget.”
Joint world-lead Ronnie Baker (USA) and British champion Zharnel Hughes are among the highly competitive field set for the London meeting.
The women’s 200m is also set to be hotly-contested with double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson (JAM) and world champion Dafne Schippers (NED) both taking to the start line. But, British 100m and 200m record holder Dina Asher-Smith is not fazed by the international talent on show, and the Briton has already shown this season she can compete with the very best.
The Commonwealth bronze medallist said: “I have been really happy with how this season has gone because obviously last year was not the most ideal situation, especially with a home championship. This weekend will be a really good chance to improve on my seasons best in 200.
“I want to put together a good race in front of the home crowd. It always fills my heart full of joy when I race in front of the crowd, so I am really excited about doing the 200 here,” Asher-Smith added.
Seven-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will compete over 100m, and she too has fond memories of London having won Olympic gold in 2012. The Jamaican sprinter will return to the British capital this weekend, less than a year after giving birth to her son, Zyon.
Fraser-Pryce said: “A lot of people look at it like you have had a baby, so you must be finished. I do get asked that question a lot, but I’m like ‘I’ve just had a baby that’s all’. It’s a blessing to be able to have my son and to be able to come back and compete again. I am really looking forward to be being back in London this weekend. It’s a hard battle but it makes the victory even sweeter.”
