IAAF World Champs
The world turns its eyes to Daegu, South Korea this week as the International Association of Athletics Federations world championships begin Saturday and run until Sept. 4.
Daegu Stadium is the site of the competition, which will have 2,000 athletes from more than 200 countries competing in 47 events.
IAAF bills the event "the greatest sports show of 2011" and predicts 500,000 spectators and 8 billion television viewers to watch the stars of track and field attempt to out-run, out-jump and out-throw each other.
Some of the must-watch events include the perennial favorite men's 100m as Usain Bolt hopes to ward off a challenge from fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell. Yelena Isinbayeva looks to set a new world record in the women's pole vault after failing to medal at the 2009 champs in Berlin.
Then there are the controversial athletes. Double-amputee Oscar Pistorius will run in the men's 400m alongside defending Olympic and world champion LaShawn Merritt, who recently completed a 21-month ban for a drug violation.
Before the action starts, the IAAF Council and Congress will meet Wednesday and Thursday to elect officers. IAAF president Lamine Diack is unopposed for another four-year term.
The IOC ExecutiveBoard will meet Friday. The agenda is currently unknown. Diack and IOC President Jacques Rogge will hold a joint press conference later in the day.
Judo Returns to France
Athletics isn't the only sport to stage a world championship this week.
Judo holds its premier event Tuesday through Sunday at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy.
Judoka are able to compete in both team and individual competitions. This is the fourth time France has hosted the event.
Japan is the dominant power in Judo, an expected honor for the country in which the sport was born. Japan won the overall title at the 2010 World Judo Championships and is the reigning men’s champion. The Netherlands is the current women’s world champion.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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