JUSTIN GATLIN TO BE ATHLETICS STAR AT LIMA 2019

The United States, one of the great powers of world athletics, confirmed its official list for Lima 2019 and included one of the most brilliant sprinters in history. The Athens 2004 100-meter Olympic champion will compete in the 4x100 m relay to challenge Brazil, current world champion. So, it will definitely be quite a show at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA.

Gatlin is the fifth fastest man in history, only behind other legends like Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell, and his fellow countryman Tyson Gay. Additionally, he is the current 100-meter world champion at the World Championships London 2017 and two-time winner of the 4x100 m relay at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships.

The US team also includes Cravon Gillespie (placed fourth in the 100-meter world ranking). Michael Rodgers (placed twelfth in the 100-meter world ranking) and Donovan Brazier (recent 800-meter winner at the Diamond League in Rome) will also compete at Lima 2019.

In women’s, Sharika Nelvis (100-meter hurdles winner at the Diamond League), Cassandra Tate (400-meter steeplechase), Kara Winger (javelin runner-up at Toronto 2015 Pan American Games) stand out.

OLYMPIC-LEVEL TRACK

A red level-1 nine-lane athletics track was installed for the Pan American and Parapan American Games competitions. The quality standards are similar to those used in the London 2012 Olympic Games and will also be used in Paris 2020. Natural grass has been laid in the center to carry out the javelin, discus and hammer throw events.

The athletics track has been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), having undergone laboratory and delimitation tests. The venue may now host first-class competitions such as the IAAF World U20 Championship in 2022, an event Peru will bid for.

ATHLETICS AT LIMA 2019

Track and field athletics at the Pan American Games is scheduled to take place from August 6 to 10 at the Athletics Stadium in VIDENA. The race walk event will take place on August 4 and 11 and marathon will take place on an outdoor course on July 27, that will start at Parque Kennedy in Miraflores.

A total of 740 of the best athletes from the Americas will be divided into 24 competitions for women and men. There will be 20 finals in track and field per gender, while there will be three road events (marathon, and 20- and 50-km race walk), as well as decathlon for men and heptathlon for women.