Great Performances of Richards and Carter in Zurich 

Despite the cold weather, the 26,500 spectators witnessed many great performances at the “Weltklasse Meeting” in Zurich last Friday evening. This meeting is the top event of the IAAF Golden League.  

The 22 year old American 400-meter runner Sanya Richards set a year's best time in 49.36. “The new stadium and the spectators are amazing. The track is fast. I look forward to having a lot more great competitions in this stadium“, said Richards, excited after the competition.

Xavier Carter, who did not participate in the World Championships in Osaka because of a knee injury, took revenge in the 200m men’s competition. With a fantastic time of 19.92, the 21 year old American destroyed the challenge of Jamaica’s silver medalist in the World Championships, Usian Bolt (20.19), and set a new meeting record.  

High Jump World Champion Blanka Vlasic repeated her recent great performances at this meeting in Zurich. The 23 year old Croatian set a new meeting record equaling 2.04m.  

Due to the cold weather, Tim Lobinger was not in good condition and finished a disappointing fifth in the men’s Pole Vault. Two days before the meeting, the 35 year old German said: “I love the meeting in Zurich. The atmosphere is fantastic. On the new installed sports surface, I came across very good conditions to practice. The fast surface presents the best conditions for all athletes.”  

For the first time, the IAAF Golden League meeting took place on our CONIPUR M running track in the new Letzigrund-Stadium. The running track is certified Class 1 by the IAAF. More than 10,000 m² of our CONIPUR sports surfaces were installed.