Powell, Fraser, Spotakova: three more Ambassadors for the Golden Gala

The names of three more IAAF Diamond League Ambassadors have been communicated by the Organising Committee of the Golden Gala this morning in Rome, as part of the list of the 40 top participants at the meeting which takes place on 10 June.

Jamaica’s Asafa Powell and Shelly Ann Fraser, together with Czech Barbora Spotakova, will take part in a great 30th edition of the Rome’s Golden Gala, the fourth leg of the 2010 IAAF Diamond League. The three stars will be joined in Rome by Blanka Vlasic and Kenenisa Bekele, the two other ambassadors already announced by the Golden Gala.

The full list of athletes distributed to Media this morning in a crowded press conference in the Olympic Stadium, which had as its guests of honour two Italian stars, high jumper Antonietta Di Martino and long jumper Andrew Howe, gave many other reasons to “stay tuned” to this year’s Golden Gala.

The Golden Gala also confirmed the participation of Cuba’s Dayron Robles in the 110m Hurdles, USA’s Jeremy Wariner against compatriot Angelo Taylor in the 400m, Panama’s Irving Saladino taking on USA’s Dwight Phillips in the Long Jump, and Estonia’s Gerd Kanter in the Discus Throw.

There will be a real parade of stars in the Shot Put. USA’s Christian Cantwell will face teammate Reese Hoffa, Poland’s Tomasz Majewski and Germany’s Ralf Bartels, while the women’s Pole Vault will present Brazil’s World Indoor champion Fabiana Murer, who will contend with the Polish duo of World outdoor champion Anna Rogowska and World silver medallist Monica Pyrek.

Another thrilling event will be the women’s 400m Hurdles, with the entire podium of the last edition of the World Championships taking part: Jamaica’s Melaine Walker, USA’s Lashinda Demus and Trinidad & Tobago’s Josanne Lucas.

The list of Top participants was presented by FIDAL (the Italian Federation of Athletics) President Franco Arese, together with CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) President Gianni Petrucci.

“I am convinced,” said Arese, “that Rome will offer a memorable edition of the Golden Gala. The best way we had to honour the “father” of the meeting, our unforgettable Primo Nebiolo.”

See ‘Related Content’ underneath the photo to the right of this text to download the Top Participants list (PDF) as of 4 May 2010

2010 IAAF Diamond League Calendar

Doha (QAT) – Fri 14 May
Shanghai (CHN) – Sun 23 May
Oslo (NOR) – Fri 4 June
Rome (ITA) – Thu 10 June
New York (USA) – Sat 12 June
Eugene (USA) – Sat 3 July
Lausanne (SUI) – Thu 8 July
Gateshead (GBR) – Sat 10 July
Paris (FRA) – Fri 16 July
Monaco (MON) – Thu 22 July
Stockholm (SWE) – Fri 6 Aug
London (GBR) – Fri 13 and Sat 14 Aug
Zürich (SUI) – Thu 19 Aug
Brussels (BEL) – Fri 27 Aug