Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, the reigning World Outdoor 110m hurdles champion, leads an all-star list of international hurdlers scheduled to compete at the 2010 Reebok Boston Indoor Games on Feb. 6, organizers announced today. He will be joined in the men’s race by Ladji Docouré, a former World Outdoor Champion in the high hurdles.
Brathwaite, the first World Champion ever from Barbados, upstaged a more experienced field when he took gold in the 110m hurdles at the IAAF World Championships last August, and returned to his country a hero. He was named an ambassador to this island nation and now carries the title of His Excellency Ambassador Ryan Brathwaite.
Ladji Docouré of France, the 2005 World Champion in the 110m hurdles, is also a two-time European Indoor champion in the 60m hurdles. American Aries Merritt, a former NCAA and World Junior champion is also in the race.
In the Women’s 60m hurdles, former World Champion Perdita Felicien, from Canada, leads the field. Felicien has World Indoor (2004) and World Outdoor (2003) titles to her name. She will be challenged by former NCAA Champion Virginia Powell, from the US.
Additional Olympic or World Championship medalists announced today include: Ejegayehu Dibaba (Women’s 5000m), Markos Geneti (Men’s 5000m), Bershawn Jackson (Men’s 400m), Meselech Melkamu (Women’s 3000m), Andrew Rock (Men’s 400m), Shannon Rowbury (Women’s 3000m). These athletes join the previously announced medalists Tirunesh Dibaba (Women’s 5000m), Nick Willis (Mile) and Bernard Lagat (Men’s 5000m).
The 15th-annual Reebok Boston Indoor Games, the second stop in USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series, begins at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College. Information is now available on-line at www.BostonIndoorGames.com. Follow us on Twitter at @BostonIndoor and become a fan on Facebook at www.bostonindoorgames.com/facebook. Tickets are available on-line or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.
