Sweden's Stefan Holm claim victory in the men's high jump during the 2004 Athens Olympics Games. (Tyson Mexican/KC/Western Images)

Swedes signal Birmingham intentions with clean sweep in Stockholm
Wednesday February 21, 2007

The IAAF Permit GE Galan meet held at the Globe Hall, Stockholm last night, did not disappoint its' sell out crowds who had come to cheer on the local stars.

Stefan Holm (SWE) held off his fellow Swede Linnus Thornbald and World Indoor Champion Yaroslav Rybakov (RUS) to win the High Jump with a clearance of 2.33m. This marked the 101st competition jump over 2.30m for the Olympic and World Champion.

Holm now travels to Birmingham where he feels Ivan Ukhov (RUS) will be his biggest obstacle to securing the European title. Tomas Janku (CZE) withdrew from the High Jump due to a hamstring niggle.
 
Susanna Kaller (SWE) and Christian Olsson (SWE) added to Sweden's Gold Medal haul, each winning their events the 60m Hurdles and the Triple Jump with relative ease.
 
A fourth gold went to Carolina Kluft (SWE) in the Triathlon, although a disappointing 60m Hurdles meant it wasn't as easy as many had anticipated.

European Silver Medallist Karin Ruckstuhl (HOL) finished a close second and Denisa Scerbova (CZE) was third. The young Czech put in some excellent performances including a new personal best in the 400m. She must now decide which event she will participate in, in Birmingham - The Pentathlon or the Long Jump.
 
Johan Wissman (SWE) won the men's 400m but perhaps the most surprising win of the evening went to Kajsa Bergqvist (SWE) in the High Jump. Bergqvist beat strong opposition including Olympic Champion Yelena Slesarenko (RUS) as well as European Champion Tia Hellebaut (BEL) to win with a Season Best of 1.98m
 
Of course not all events were won by Sweden. The Czech Republic dominated the women's Pole Vault with the victory eventually going to Pavla Rybova on a count back. Rybova and compatriot Katerina Badurova both cleared 4.58m and had three failed attempts at 4.68m.
 
Another highlight of the meet was the three World Lead times set. Lidia Chojecka (POL) won the 1,500m with a time of 4:03.73, just outside her own National Record. The other two World lead times went to Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) who won the 3,000m with a new personal best of 7:30.51 and World Indoor Champion Wilfred Bungei (KEN) in the 800m with 1:45.42.

EAA