The women´s hurdles with the world record holder

Last year, the crowd saw a very close attempt for a meeting record at the women´s 100m hurdles. This year, the next try will come by the world record holder. The Nigerian Tobi Amusan shocked at the World championships in Eugene in the semi-finals last year when she ran 12.12 world record time and then, even 12.06 in the final with an illegal wind support. It seems more realistic that she should beat the 12.55 of Sharica Nelvis from 2015. “I am excited to race in Ostrava. I've watched world-class athletes race on that track and I'm looking forward to experiencing an awesome atmosphere whilst executing a good race,” said Tobi Amusan, who already improved her personal record on the flat 100m to 11.10 this year, which confirms her great form.

Trying for the first time under 3:30

The men's 1500m will take place as the longest run of the evening and also as the Emil Zátopek Memorial (it takes place every year but the events change). The main star will be the man who pleased the spectators in Ostrava last year with the first time under 8 minutes in the history of the 3000m race - the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma. In the meantime, he won silver at the World championships in the steeplechase but he also holds the world indoor record at the 3000m. His goal will be clear - the meeting record (3:31.17 Cornelius Chirchir from 2003) and possibly an attack on the Ethiopian record of 3:29.91. „I am very happy to return to the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting this year to try and run a very - very fast 1500m time. I have had much success in Ostrava having run 7:58.68 in the 3000mSC there which is my personal best and a National Record for Ethiopia. Ostrava is a very good track and event for me and I look forward to seeing the fans again and using their energy to push myself beyond my limits and run a time to make everyone proud. See you soon Ostrava,” stated Girma who ran the 1500m three times in his career achieving 3:33.77.

Star javelins, the Olympic champion Chopra will also come

The director of the meeting, Jan Železný, traditionally prepares his throwers so that Ostrava Golden Spike is one of the highlights of the season. That is why we can look forward to the participation of the Olympic, World and European medallist Jakub Vadlejch as well as the World and European championships finalist Nikola Ogrodniková. Among the world stars, Ostrava can count on the world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who improved to 93.07 and will defend the last year's victory. And most recently, the Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India. All three medallists of the last year's World championships in the USA will meet in one competition. The Indian star will have his premiere in Ostrava, and his popularity is documented, for example, by the 6.2 million followers on Instagram. In the women's category, the best current Japanese athlete Haruka Kitaguchi (66.00), the bronze medallist at the World championships and winner of the DL meetings in Paris and Silesia, will be presented. An interesting fact is that Kitaguchi is trained by the Czech coach David Sekerák, and the Japanese athlete spends a significant part of the summer season in Domažlice.

The Czech elite

First of all, the organisers are preparing a meeting so that the domestic elite athletes can present themselves in the largest possible number. And here are the confirmations in some events.

Women's pole vault: Amálie Švábiková, indoor Czech record holder with 472 and the bronze medallist from the European indoor championships in Istanbul.

“I'm really looking forward to the Golden Spike, because it will be a great race and in front of the home audience. It will definitely be more intense. And I'll definitely want to try to jump over 470 and fight for the best placement.”

110 hurdles (the event returns to the program after five years), also with the legendary Petr Svoboda:

"I'm really looking forward to Golden Spike; it's been a long time since I've started there. It's always been an incredible time for me with an amazing atmosphere and, thanks to that, a beautiful performance! So far, the preparation is going according to plan and I will do everything to be fully prepared for the Golden Spike and show a great performance worthy of such a race.”

400m women (Jan Slanina Memorial), Lada Vondrová, after the first senior final at the European championships indoors in Istanbul (fifth place):

“I would like to show myself in a better light than last year. Perhaps a later date will come in handy. There is always a high-quality competition on the track which I would like to take advantage of because such a high-quality race at home is an excellent opportunity to run a good time.”

Events

Men: 100m, 200m, 400m (Istvan Gyulai Memorial), 800m, 1500m (Emil Zátopek Memorial), 110m hurdles, pole vault, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw

Women: 400m (Jan Slanina Memorial), 1500m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, pole vault, javelin throw

Tickets

Ticket sale with the special prices continues on website (www.zlatatretra.cz)

Stands: 50 CZK

Main tribune A: 1 000 CZK

Ostrava Golden Spike worldwide

It is already confirmed that this year's "Spike" will be seen in 140 countries across all continents, and negotiations with other countries are still going on.

Ostrava Golden Spike and the athletics in Ostrava

Ostrava Golden Spike has been in its "golden" period since 2002, i.e. for 20 years, and it is one of the best meetings in the world with the participation of world stars and worldwide television viewing. Its influence was decisive for the development of athletics in Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian region in terms of infrastructure, coaching and overall interest in athletics from the youngest to the oldest athletes and fans. The activities are covered by the club SSK Vítkovice and the Ostrava Regional Athletic Academy.

Chocolate Spike

The popular children's Chocolate Spike has already started. Traditionally, it will have its final on 27 June in a great atmosphere just before the ceremonial opening of the main race of the Ostrava Golden Spike. It starts with the basic rounds in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and the international semi-finals. They take place from April to June. Information about the start of registration and basic dates is published at: cokoladovatretra.cz. The first basic round was successfully held in Vyškov.