Kerron Clement Steps Into Music Video

This 400-meter hurdle Olympian is expanding his game outside of track and field with an appearance in "The Greatest" video by Michelle Williams - formerly of Destiny's Child.

Kerron Clement makes a cameo in the video donning his Olympic medal and uniform while hurdling on the street. This is not his first modeling gig, as he has done several European photo shoots.

Michelle Williams is stunning in what appears to be her best solo yet and Clement does nothing to take away from that fact.

Clement told the press:

“It takes my mind off athletics,” said Clement. “I’m a person who doesn’t like to focus myself on track and field, it tires me out. Modelling is the avenue that I take to relax myself. It’s like a relaxation for me.”

No worry track fans. He won' be quitting his day job anytime soon as track and field is paying his bills these days.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

Yeah, Yeah: Angelo Taylor Leads U.S. Sweep of 400-Hurdles!

A big-time U.S. performance highlights the day.

-Beijing-Don’t call it come back—he’s been here for years. Going into Beijing a bulk of the attention was focused primarily on Kerron Clement and Bershawn Jackson. Today, Angelo Taylor won Olympic gold over the two aforementioned U.S. runners.

Angelo the champion from the 2000 Sydney Games is no stranger to thrilling races, having won his first gold medal out of lane 1. In 2004, an illness hindered the Albany, Georgia native from getting out the semi-final heats in Athens.

This time around the supremely talented Taylor ran the fastest time (47.25) of his life.

Just when people were beginning to get down on the Team USA, the U.S hurdles ran extremely well as Kerron Clement (47.98) and Bershawn Jackson (48.06) dominated a very talented field.

Stephanie Brown Trafton might have saved the day for the U.S. in winning a gold in the women's discus.

By Jay Hicks.

Don’t Forget About Hyleas Fountain

-Beijing-Team USA on track in Beijing.

For some odd reason, there has been very little written in the weeks leading up to the Olympics, about the women who delivered a dominant performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Hyleas Fountain among other things broke Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s decade old record in the heptathlon 100-meter hurdles.

Fast forward to the Olympic Games.

There were a few interviews but absent was a Visa commercial with Morgan Freeman or an athlete profile. Maybe it’s because 2007 World Champion Carolina Kluft is not competing in the heptathlon and instead is focusing on the long jump.

But none of that matters.

The world may find out that the Hyleas Fountain is the possibly the best female athlete in the world. Similar to her performance at the Olympic Trials, Fountain had an incredible day 1 in Beijing, leading the competition with 4,060 points in the first four of seven disciplines, 64 ahead of Nataliia Dobrynska of Ukraine. At this point, it will prove to be a major challenge to catch the University of Georgia alum.

Fountain ran a blistering 12.78 over the hurdles and threw down a 23.21 in the 200-meters.

Having two bad events out of four made it a tough day for Jackie Johnson of the U.S. in the heptathlon. Getting this far behind, makes her medal efforts that much more difficult.

She threw the shot just 38 feet, 9 ½ inches, well off her personal record 42 feet, 5 ½ inches at the trials, where she was second to qualify for her first Olympics. Johnson then ran 24.74 in the 200 in which her personal best is 24.01.

Johnson's first-day total is 3,592 points, 125 lower than at the trials.

The U.S. men may very well complete a 1-2-3- sweep in 400-meter hurdles.

The three U.S. runners won their respective rounds in the 400-meters: Angelo Taylor (48.67), Bershawn Jackson (49.20), and Kerron Clement ( 49.42).

The reigning Olympic champion Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic placed fifth in his heat, and failed to qualify for the next round.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis: Day 2, Aviva London 2008 Super Grand Prix

Jamaicans dominate day 2 in London.

Team USA may very well win the final medal count at the of the Olympic Games, but the Jamaicans could possibly win Olympic gold in some of the marquee races. In past Olympic Games, the U.S. has grown accustomed to crushing the competition. The rest of the world may have very well caught up.

Yesterday Asafa Powell (9.94) of Jamaica ran on cruise control while winning the 100-meters. Sherone Simpson (22.80) who also represents Jamaica, managed to pull out a close win in the women’s 200 meters.

Today Bolt (19.76) blew away a field that included Wallace Spearmon (20.27) of the U.S. in the 200-meters, setting a new British all-comers Crystal Palace record. Bolt was nearly a half second ahead of Wallace Spearmon.

Afterwards Bolt said, “Looking to Beijing, I think I have a good chance in the 200m and 100m - I'd love to do both," said the Jamaican. I'm still waiting to see what will be going on with that, my coach is making that decision maybe in a week or so.”

Going into Beijing, the Jamaican sprint star has put together a body of work that gives him the "favored" status in both the 100 and 200-meters. The looming question is whether Bolt decides to attempt the elusive double.

Jamaican superstar Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women’s 100-meters in 10.86. Runner up Shelly Ann-Fraser, also from Jamaica ran 10.95. Torri Edwards who will be representing the U.S. in Beijing took fourth (11.09) in the race. Allyson Felix was scheduled to participate in the 100-meters, but she decided to pull out of the race.

In race displaying his consistency, Kerron Clement (48.36) dominated the 400-meter hurdles.

By Jay Hicks.

Wariner Beats Merritt and Powells Pulls Up in Rome!

-Rome, Italy.

The ÅF Golden League 2008 resumed today with fireworks in Rome.

It has been a rough week for world-class sprinters in the crazy world of track and field. First Tyson Gay went down in the 200-meters after running four of the fastest 100-meter races ever recorded.

Now, Asafa Powell pulled up in his 100-meter heat after feeling something in his groin, which will certainly put a dent in his preparation to take on countrymen Usain Bolt in Beijing. Powell’s manager Paul Doyle talked to reporters afterward to explain the latest turn of events.
“It's nothing," Paul Doyle told reporters. "He just felt his groin cramp up. He'll be fine, but he's not going to take any chances in an Olympic year.” "He's had problems with his groin in the past and got over them every time."

Who said track lacks excitement? It was a quick role reversal in Rome today. Last week challenger LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner at 400-meters to win the U.S. Olympic Trials.

This week Wariner beat Merritt by .01 seconds. Wariner (44.36) had a big lead before LaShawn Merritt (44.37) poured on his kick down the stretch, making it a close race. Merritt is a formidable opponent. Are we witnessing the beginning of a new rivalry since both of the runners will be around for a while?

Afterward, Merritt said, “He was ahead at 300; I knew how the race was going to play out. I feel good about the race and as you can see, the part of the race that I’ve been working on is coming, the finish. So when I put it together, there’s going to be problems.”

Allyson Felix (50.25) is making a strong case to be included on the U.S. 4x400-meter relay in Beijing. But the U.S. women had better pick up the pace or Sanya Richards will be the lone American contender to win an individual medal in Beijing. Mary Wineberg ran 51.27 and hopefully there is an reasonable explanation such as she was fatigued from the Oly Trials or there something ailing her. Otherwise 51 seconds at this point in the season is not close to being among the top runners in the world.

Running at the U.S. Olympic Trials combined with a flight across the pond did not deter 100 hurdler Candice Davis from placing third (12.72) against top end competition of Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London. Even though Davis did not make the U.S. Olympic team, she is a young, talented runner with a lot of upside especially if she improves on the first three hurdles of her race.

In a change of events, Sanya Richards ran the 200-meters to continue working on her speed in the races leading up to the 400-meters at the Olympic Games. Richards ran a very respectable 22.49 against winner Kerron Stewart (22.34) of Jamaica.

The gloves have come off in the 400-meter hurdles, and the fight will continue all the way to Beijing. Last week Bershawn Jackson beat favorite Kerron Clement to win the U.S. Olympic Trials. After the race Clement was visibly shake and disappointed by the loss. This week Kerron Clement (48.23) narrowly beat Bershawn “Batman” Jackson (48.34) in the 400-meter hurdles.

Jennifer Stucyznski was named USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week for improving her own American record to 16 feet, 1.75 inches on Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Today, Russian, World, Olympic, and European pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva sent an international message to her rivals in just her first competition of the outdoor season. She improved her world record in the women’s pole vault at the IAAF Golden Gala meeting in Rome. Isinbayeva vaulted 16 feet, 5 inches. Stucynzski will certainly have her hands full in Beijing.

By Jay Hicks.

400-meter Hurdle “Run Down”

Is this the year that Kerron Clement breaks the world record of 46.78? The 400 hurdles is the next in what seems to be an endless number of events in which the U.S. is extremely deep. So far this year, Kerron has a season’s best of 47.79. He ran this time back on May 3 in Kingston, Jamaica.

Kerron has blinding speed and is arguably one of the most physically gifted athletes on the pro circuit. However, his one weakness is a hurdling technique that he and his new coach, Bob Kersee, are working to improve. Up until now, he hasn’t had to be concerned with his technique, because Clement has been winning by wide margins. But if he gets on the ropes in a tight race, his sub-par technique could be the margin of difference between winning and losing.

Bershawn “Batman” Jackson (48.15) is close to breaking the 47 second barrier this season-- his personal best is 47.30. Runners with something to prove are dangerous. The 5 foot, 8 inch runner is on a mission to prove that he is worthy to be amongst today’s great 400 hurdles after his meltdown at the ’07 World Championships when he failed to make the finals.

The 400 hurdles is one of the most intriguing events this Olympic year, because so many questions remain about the younger runners. After Clement and “Batman”, the remainder of the U.S. field is extremely talented, but lacks experience at the international level. In fact, many of the hurdlers are talented collegiate athletes new to the international scene.

The three factors affecting the success of collegiate runners in the post-NCAA season is how well they react to the big stage, how they handle the enormous pressure, and how many races they have run during the year. Keep in mind that in ’04, Jeremy Wariner won the indoor NCAAs, outdoor NCAAs, USA Outdoor Nationals, and the Olympic Games. So, it is entirely possible to see some blazing competition out of these hurdlers.

This is the second year for Michael Tinsley (48.84) on the pro circuit. The former ’06 NCAA Champion from Jackson State University has ran well this season.

Justin Gaymon(48.53) is new to the elite scene. A junior from the University of Georgia, Gaymon is a hurdler seeking to leap past the competition and make a name for himself.

Is it time for freshmen Johnny Dutch (48.68) to be the next in a long line of superstars from the University of South Carolina hurdlers? Coach Frye has produced Allen Johnson and Terrence Tremmell. Dutch will attempt to launch his career on the international scene with a top three finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

This kid is a big time athlete. Robert Griffin (49.23) of Baylor University is a two-sport star who is planning on playing football for the Bears this fall. He has a major asset in Coach Clyde Hart who knows a little something about preparing collegiate athletes for the Olympic Trials.

By Jay Hicks.

2008 Reebok Grand Prix Preview

Saturday, May 31st – Sunday, June 1.

The 2008 Reebok Grand Prix is shaping up to be an extraordinary night and day. Meet organizers have landed some of the hottest races. The meet is run at the Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island, a 480-acre park anchoring Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens in New York City.

The meet airs on May 31st from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and June 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on CBS.

Second year pro 400-meter runner Natasha Hasting plays hosts this week. Hastings ran high school at A. Philip Randolph Campus in New York City. With a field consisting of top ranked athletes, in its fourth year meet should provide great drama this week.

Tyson Gay is the defending 100-meter World Champion and has his work cut out for him. Gay is undefeated this season but Usain Bolt has already run an amazing 9.76! The favorite coming in is Tyson Gay, who is on a roll and is gearing up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Is there anyone hotter than Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown? She is coming off a photo finish victory at the adidas Track Classic (ATC). If you factor in that Allyson Felix will be seeking revenge after a fourth place finish at the ATC—this race will be scorching. Add in a field of Mershevet Hooker, Lauryn Williams, Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight, Torri Edwards, and Muna Lee—this field is out of sight. So many talented runners, but it will be interesting to see if anyone has a break out meet to break Veronica’s winning streak.

If you don’t succeed, try, try again. Terrence Trammell has a stellar track record in the 110-hurdles, and his season opener at the ATC was fantastic. A victory against Chinese megastar Liu Xiang is the only thing missing.

After breaking her own American record at the ATC, it would be hard not to pick Jenn Stuczynski this week. She is getting better with each meet and when she is on, she is unbeatable. Jillian Schwartz, Stacy Dragila, and April Steiner will have something to say about that. You have to love competition.

Don’t call it a come back, she’s been here for years. Sanya Richards is back to focusing on her bread and butter race—the 400 meters after running the 100 at ATC. The fierce some force of Natasha Hastings, Dee Dee Trotter, and Jamaica’s Shareefa Lloyd will make this a race to watch.

The men’s 400 is up for grabs. Jeremy Wariner is not running. Derrick Brew and Xavier Carter are the odds on favor to win, but don’t count out Andrew Rock and and David Neville.

Kerron Clement is facing a field with Bayano Kamani in the 400 hurdles.

Khadevis Robinson debuts for the 2008 outdoor season. The eight time national champion at 800-meters will face up to Nick Willis of New Zealand.

Check PreraceJitters.com for instant analysis after the meet.

For more information, visit www.reebokgrandprix.com or www.visachampionshipsseries.com. Tickets are on sale now by phone at 1-877-TIX-TRAC or on-line at www.ReebokGrandPrix.com.

By Jay Hicks.

Adidas Track Classic – Track and Field on TV

Sunday watch the adidas Track Classic on ESPN from ESPN from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. PDT (4 p.m.-6 p.m. EDT)..

The U.S. pro circuit gets kicked off with the first outdoor major meet of the season at the adidas Track Classic in Carson, CA. The marquee events are the men’s 400-meters, where Jeremy Wariner and Kerron Clement face off. The other hot event of the day will be the women’s 100 meters, where seven of the world’s top ten are slated to compete.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

Usain Bolt Nears World Record in Jamaica!

The times coming of the Jamaican Invitational are jaw dropping. Incredible. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt redefined this seasons outlook for the 100-meters. He won in 9.76 with 1.8 wind, nearly breaking his countrymen Asafa Powell’s world record of 9.74. The time is stunning. The performance is sure to get Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, and the world’s attention.

Second in the race was America’s Wallace Spearmon in 10.08 and Antiguan Daniel Bailey placed third in 10.12.

Sanya Richards crossed the line first at the 400-meters in 50.60. The top three finishers ran personal best times in the women’s 100. Kerron Stewart wons the women's 100m in 10.96, Marshavett Hooker ran second in 11.01, 18-year-old Bianca Knight took third in 11.11. The wind measured +.9 during the women’s 100 making it a legal race.

Kerron Clement won the men’s 400 hurdles in 47.79. In another amazing race, newcomer
Bianca Knight won the women’s 200 in 22.62 in her first professional meet. Knight beat veteran Veronica Campbell on her home turf. Campbell placed second in 22.9.

American champ Tyson Gay continued his winning steak taking the men’s 200-meters in 20.00.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.