Athletics Africa Magazine

Wow, was priviledged yesterday to see the first woman to soar over 5 metres in the Pole Vault at the London Grand Prix! Yelena Isinbayeva - what a dame! Despite the uncertainty of the bomb threats in the city, and amidst the fears, I was glad i finally did go to Crystal Palace. Disappointed though that injury prevented world's fastest man ASAFA POWELL from completing his duel with Olympic champion JUSTIN GATLIN in the 100 metres, nevertheless the drama was worth it. Kenenisa Bekele won the 5,000 metres as usual, but was chased all the way home by Austalian Craig Mottram. Poor Wallace Spearmon, sad to miss out of Helsinki after his excertions at the NCAA, showed his full recovery with a stunning 19.89 seconds win in the 200 metres. More click here

Hello, a lot is changing in Africa. And athletics is one of them. Next months World athletics championships promises to be Africa's best yet. Hurray! AthleticsAfrica.Com will be One-year-old on July 25th. Yes, it's been one year of hard work and perseverance, but we are happy to say today that we average 50,000 hits every month. Here are round up of African athletics news today. Kenyan athlete Jane Nyambura told The Standard reporter Omulo Okoth her ordeal in Italy where her Italian manager got her deported after exploiting and cutting her earnings. This sad story depicts the travails of African athletes in the hands of dubious European managers, as they seek greener pastures abroad. Full story... Nigerian duo shine in Thessaloniki Nigerian sprint champions Endurance Ojokolo and Uchenna Emedolu continued their good form on a rainy day at the IAAF Grand Prix II "THESSALONIKI 2005" Meeting in Greece. African kids shine in Marrakech African ...

A leading Zimbabwean athlete has been jailed for four years for competing in female events, after the discovery that 'she' was a man. Multiple medal winner Samukeliso Sithole was accused by fellow athletes and charged with impersonation and causing psychological damage. The 18-year-old won the only gold medal for Zimbabwe at the Southern Region Championships in Botswana in June 2004. More on AthleticsAfrica.Com

Defending champion Endurance Ojokolo and ex-world cup winner Uchenna Emedolu storm to victory in the 100 metres at the ExxonMobil/All Nigeria Track & Field Championships in Abuja. Ojokolo overcame an indifferent season to beat Mercy Nku to retain her title in 11.28 seconds. Nku crossed the finish line in 11.42 seconds, while Australian based Gloria Kemasuode settled for third place in 11.45 seconds. Emedolu ran a controlled race to edge out African champion Olusoji Fasuba with 10.13 -10.16 seconds in the men's 100m. More from AthleticsAfrica.Com

Nigeria's reigning 100 metres champion Tamunosiki Atoribido is out of the team to the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. The Mobil/NNPC/Nigeria Track & Field defending sprints champion pulled out halfway through his second round heats at the trials with a hamstring injury. Tamunosiki, who surprisingly won the title last year with a stunning 10.08 seconds, has been plaqued by injuries all season and only managed a 10.40 seconds season's best this year. More in AthleticsAfrica.Com

Ethiopia’s double World record-holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m, Kenenisa Bekele and his brother Tariku were runaway winners in the 3,000m at the 30th edition of Athletissima, IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting in Lausanne. Kenenisa Bekele, who is the current leader in the IAAF Men's overall World Ranking, cruised to an easy victory to lead an African clean sweep of the men's 3000 metres in 7:34.57. His younger brother Tariku finished in second place in 7:38.18 ahead of compatriot Markos Geneti, who was third with 7:38.42. Also, Ghana's Aziz Zakari edged out American and Olympic 100m champion Justin Gatlin (10.03) to snatch second place in the men's 100 metres in a time of 10.02 seconds. Frenchman Ronald Pognon won the tight race in a personal best 9.99 seconds. More in AthleticsAfrica.Com .