Olympic Trials set to begin in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Athletes begin the pursuit of their 2004 Olympic dreams Friday at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, as the first of eight days of competition begins at the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex. The men's 10,000 meters will provide the first final event of the meet, while qualifying rounds begin in several events.

The world's finest national championship track meet, the Olympic Trials will host more than 1,000 athletes competing for the right to represent Team USA at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The top three finishers in each event at Sacramento who have met the Olympic "A" qualifying standard in their respective events will be named to the U.S. Olympic roster. The meet runs July 9-18, with July 13-14 serving as rest days and is being broadcast live on NBC and USA.

Already qualified for the Olympics in the marathon, defending champion Meb Keflezighi will go for his second Olympic Trials title in the men's 10,000. His defense will not come easily, as 5,000m American record holder Bob Kennedy competes in his first national championship 10,000. A two-time Olympian, Kennedy is a four-time U.S. champion in the 5,000. Also in the field are fellow 2004 Olympic marathon qualifier Dan Browne and 2000 Olympian Abdi Abdirahman.

Top men competing Friday in qualifying rounds include Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong, American record holder Jeff Hartwig, 2004 world leader Toby Stevenson, and 2001 Goodwill Games gold medalist Tim Mack in the pole vault; three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist John Godina, defending Olympic Trials champion and Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson, 2004 world and U.S. indoor champion Christian Cantwell, and 2004 world indoor silver medalist Reese Hoffa in the shot put; world outdoor silver medalist Joey Woody and defending U.S. champion Bershawn Jackson in the 400m hurdles; 2003 world indoor champion David Krummenacker in the 800m; and 2003 world indoor and outdoor champion Dwight Phillips, 28-foot jumper Miguel Pate, and 2000 Olympians Walter Davis and Melvin Lister in the long jump.

Women's preliminary action includes Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones, two-time Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, reigning world champion Torri Edwards and NCAA champion Lauryn Williams in the 100 meters; American record holder and three-time Olympian Jearl Miles-Clark, American indoor record holder Nicole Teter, Olympic Trials champion Hazel Clark, and reigning U.S. indoor champ Jen Toomey in the 800 meters; NCAA champion Sheena Johnson, former NCAA champions Brenda Taylor and Lashinda Demus, and former world record holder Kim Batten in the 400m hurdles; three-time national champion and Olympic 1,500m finalist Marla Runyan, world indoor 3,000m bronze medalist Shayne Culpepper, three-time NCAA champion Lauren Fleshman, and two-time NCAA cross country champion Shalane Flanagan in the 5,000 meters; American record holder and 2003 Pan Am Games gold medalist Kim Kreiner in the javelin; and Olympic A qualifier Yuliana Perez in the triple jump. Friday also features the first day of the women's heptathlon, where 2001 world outdoor bronze medalist Shelia Burrell is the top entrant.

Complete information on the U.S. Olympic Trials, including start lists, entry status, and TV times, can be found at: www.usatf.org/events/2004/OlympicTrials-TF/