Justin Gatlin, Walter Dix Lead Men’s Sprint Field At Pre Classic

Press Release Courtesy Of The Prefontaine Classic
May 29, 2013

Eugene, Oregon – Americans Justin Gatlin and Walter Dix have plenty of fond memories of Hayward Field and return on Saturday to lead the men’s 100-meter and 200-meter fields at the 39^thPrefontaine Classic.

A member of the IAAF Diamond League of elite international track & field meets, the Pre Classic will be held May 31 and June 1 at historic Hayward Field.  Both men’s sprints are included among a power-packed Saturday schedule that begins at 12:00 noon.

Gatlin is a two-time Olympic medalist in the 100, earning gold in 2004.  He also won the bronze in London after winning the Olympic Trials at Hayward Field.  He was the fastest American in the world last year at 9.79 seconds.

Dix is merely the Pre Classic and Hayward Field record holder in the 200 at 19.72.  He won two World Championships silver medals in 2011 (100 and 200) as well as two Olympic bronze medals in 2008 (100 and 200).

The 100 field also marks the return of former Oregon prep star Ryan Bailey, who in 2007 set state meet records at Hayward Field in both the 100 and 200 for McKay High School in Salem.  Another American in the field is Mike Rodgers, best known for winning the 60-meter silver medal in the 2010 World Indoor Championships.

Four from the Caribbean complete the 100 lineup – Jamaican Nesta Carter (2012 60-meter gold medalist at the World Indoor Championships), Trinidadians Richard Thompson (2012 Olympic silver medalist),  Keston Bledman (2005 World Youth Champion), and Bahamian Derrick Atkins (2007 World Championships silver medalist).

In the 200, Dix will be challenged by Jamaica’s Nickel Ashmeade, who was ranked No. 3 in the world last year by Track & Field News, and Jason Young, who followed at No. 4.  Also challenging will be Churandy Martina of the Netherlands, who won last year’s European Championships.

Three more Americans complete the field – Maurice Mitchell, Calesio Newman, and Jeremy Dodson.  Mitchell and Newman were ranked No. 9 and 10 in the world last years by T&FN.

Fans can follow the event lineups as all announced fields are posted at PreClassic.com.  The direct link to current start/entry lists is HERE and includes updates to previously announced fields.