It will be Thiam’s seventh participation in the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège. ‘It is always nice to be able to take part in a competition in my own city, in front of my own crowd,’ Thiam said. “I always enjoy coming here and am happy that there is a brand new track near my door. This year, the meeting fits perfectly into my preparation for the World Cup.” That world championship takes place from 15 to 24 July in Eugene, USA.
With the high jump and the 100-metre hurdles, Thiam will combine two events for the first time at the Meeting Liège. The high jump is Thiam’s strongest number at the heptathlon with a personal record of 2m02, at the 100-metre hurdles her PR is 13.34. ‘These are not coincidentally the two numbers on which I still have the most work to do before the World Championships,’ Thiam explains her choice. ‘In the high jump, for example, I want to fine-tune my run-up further next week,’ the 27-year-old double Olympic champion said.
In the 100-metre hurdles, Thiam will be able to compete with Belgium’s best hurdler, Anne Zagré, in Liege. The Brussels native is also in full preparation for the World Cup. Another Belgian World Cup contender, 800-metre runner Eliott Crestan, will run the 600 metres next week in the Province Naimette Arena. Spectators in Liege will also be able to cheer on high jumper Thomas Carmoy and sprint star Rani Rosius (100 metres). At the BK in Gentbrugge next weekend, this duo will have an ultimate chance to reach the World Cup limit.
Olympic champion and paralympic medallist
Top international athletes to look out for in Liege on 29 June include multiple South African Olympic champion Caster Semenya (5000 metres), Jamaican indoor world 4×400-metre champion Tiffany James (400 metres) and Australian Peter Bol (600 metres), who just missed out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a fourth-place finish in the 800 metres.
Roger Habsch did pick up medals in Tokyo last year. The wheelchair athlete from Liège won bronze in the 100 and 200 metres for wheelers (T51) at the Paralympics and is aiming to win the 100 metres in front of his own crowd at the Province Naimette Arena next week. The 100 metres for wheelers is the second event of the main programme, which starts at 20h and will end around 22h. The preliminary programme of the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège starts at 17h with several youth races.
Renewed sports temple inaugurated
All athletes will be able to give their best next week in perfect conditions. The old Stade de Naimette-Xhovémont has been completely renovated and renamed the Province Naimette Arena with the support of the Province of Liège. Katty Firquet, Provincial Deputy Vice-President (Sport), officially inaugurated the renovated sports temple on Wednesday.
More info on the Meeting International d’Athlétisme de la Province de Liège at www.meetingliege.be. Tickets are available for free download on the website until Tuesday 28 June or will be on sale on Wednesday 29 June from 4pm at 10 euros each at the main entrance of the Province Naimette Arena.
