Olympic high hurdles champion Liu Xiang faces a challenge from
world champion Ladji Doucoure of France in what promises to be the
highlight of today's Paris Golden League athletics meeting.
China's Liu, juggling a busy agenda this year with plans to
break his world record of 12.88 seconds and to win gold at the
world championships in Osaka next month, is certainly not taking
Doucoure lightly.
"I consider Ladji to be my most dangerous opponent", Liu, who
was narrowly beaten by the Frenchman at the 2005 world
championships in Helsinki, told reporters. "I think he has the same
potential as me."
Doucoure, who has fallen out with the Paris organizers over
money but will definitely compete, struggled last year with a calf
injury.
"Ladji has worked extremely hard to recover from his injury,"
said his coach, Renaud Longuevre. "He went through gruelling
training sessions in the United States and really impressed
me."
Liu and Doucoure will have to keep an eye on Cuba's Dayron
Robles, the world indoor 60 meters silver medalist, who is also
starting the Paris race.
The event, the second of six Golden League meetings, also
features an appetising 1,500 meters which should feature a battle
between European champion Mehdi Baala of France and Kenya-born
American Bernard Lagat.
While the women's 100 meters should be entertaining with
Americans Lauryn Williams and Allyson Felix facing local favorite
Christine Arron.
(China Daily via Agencies July 6, 2007)