World’s youth set to shine in Ostrava

Rynell Parson, Mykyta Nesterenko and Chanelle Price – World Youth Championship medal favourites

In among a host of world youth record-breakers, Britain has strong medal contenders for Ostrava, writes JON MULKEEN

WITH just four previous editions, the IAAF World Youth Championships are the youngest of all global athletics events – and, similarly, they feature the youngest international athletes. But since the first edition in 1999, the World Youths (under-18) have been a significant stepping stone for many of the world’s current global stars. Veronica Campbell, AllysonFelix, Ladji Doucouréé and Jana Pittman all scooped World Youth gold before replicating that global success on the senior international stage. So this year’s event, which starts on Wednesday July 11, will witness the emergence of several young stars as they embark upon their burgeoning careers. The USA in particular boast a strong team and are led by sprinter Rynell Parson, who is fresh from the American junior championships where he broke the world youth 100m record with a blistering 10.23 run. American two-lap runner Chanelle Price is equally as strong a favourite in the 800m. The 16-year-old recently finished seventh at the USA national senior championships, where she set a personal best of 2:02.38. The field events will likely be highlighted by three previous AW‘one to watch’ subjects – Vicky Parnov, Mykyta Nesterenko and Bianca Perie. Australia’s Parnov competed in last year’s Commonwealth Games pole vault final at the age of 15 and later won bronze

at the World Junior Championships. Nesterenko – the Ukrainian throws prodigy – has been setting world youth records for fun this year. In May he threw 71.95m with the youth weight discus (1.5kg) and 62.79m with the senior weight, to add to his 81.22m throw last year with the 1kg weight implement. But the 16-year-old is also a talented shot putter and leads this year’s world youth rankings with his 21.35m effort. Romania’s Perie, featured last week, is expected to be just as dominant in the hammer – the event at which she became world junior champion last year against a much older field. Britain’s chances look strong this year, although Team GB may find it tough to repeat the five medals won in 2005. The best hopes rest with 400m runner Chris Clarke and 100m sprinter Asha Philip, who both lead the world youth rankings in their respective events. But also look out for 800m runner Alison Leonard and steeplechaser Sarah Hopkinson, who – at their best – could spring a surprise by winning a medal in their respective events.

Asha Philip: 100m hope

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