WRITTEN FOR THE EXXONMOBILE BISLETT GAMES MEDIA TEAM
World 100m silver medallist, Murielle Ahoure and the returning Olympic 200m champion, Allyson Felix spoke to the assemble media at this evening’s official press conference at Oslo’s strawberry party in the City Hall, ahead of tomorrow’s ExxonMobil Bislett Games and IAAF Diamond League.
Staged in the same venue which holds the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize ceremony each December, the Norwegian capital welcomed the sprinting duo who were both in positive frames of mind ahead of their 200m contest.
Ahoure – also the world silver medallist over the half-lap distance – lives in Oslo for part of the year with her Norwegian fiancé and so spoke of her excitement about enjoying the home crowd support:
“Oslo feels like home – I know the track very well as I train there three times a week so tomorrow will feel like practice but with lots of people watching!” she explained.
The 26-year-old from the Ivory Coast is a two-time world indoor 60m champion but has good speed-endurance – most recently witnessed during her fourth place over 200m at the Eugene IAAF Diamond League with 22.61 at the end of last month.
An Olympic finalist over both distances, Ahoure has a best of 22.24 from last summer and revealed:
“It’s been a rocky time in my life in the past couple of months, what with moving and changing coach, and it was amazing to go back to the Ivory Coast recently – the people are great there and it gives me goose-bumps just thinking about it.
“My favourite event is definitely the 100m but I’m getting used to the 200m and I’m learning it more so the plan is to definitely run them both this year.”
Next competing in the Lausanne IAAF Diamond League on the third of July, Ahoure continued:
“Tomorrow’s all about going out there, focusing on myself and putting on a great show.
Felix meanwhile, is on the comeback trail from injury and the 28-year-old American executed a promising 22.44 for third place in Eugene.
Boasting a 21.69 lifetime best from the 2012 season in which she also collected Olympic gold in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays in London, Felix is content to be patient in her return to competition:
“My return’s been good so far, it’s been a rocky road but I’m blessed and lucky to be back and healthy,” she explained.
“The races were decent, I felt a little rough but I’m excited for my third race and hope it keeps getting better.
“I’m running the 200m and 400m this year and will then just see which direction for the future.”
A three-time world 200m champion, Felix will compete in Oslo for the very first time ahead of her next race in Ostrava on Tuesday:
“I hope it will be a great race with a great time,” she continued, “I’m excited to compete in front of the fans for the first time.”
