The softly-spoken athlete from Michigan is one of the stars set to dazzle on the ultra-modern track of the Khalifa International Stadium – the venue of the May 3 event in the Qatari capital.
Having to compete against a strong field which includes the likes of 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Amos Nijel of Botswana seems to have done nothing to dampen the morale of the American junior, NACAC junior and world junior (U20) record holder - who ran 1:43.55 three years ago.
“I’m excited to be here and I look forward to giving my best on Friday,” Brazier said
while addressing the media at the press meet.
“The Doha Diamond League is the perfect season starter for me and I know the race
is going to be very exciting as most of the athletes here have been doing 1:41, 1:42
and 1:43 so it is going to be a great showdown.
"Everybody is preparing with an eye on the IAAF World Championships in
September and I think it is a great opportunity for me to be here.”
Speaking about their lives away from athletics, Brazier said he loves to cook aside
from the outdoor hobby of fishing:
“I love fishing and I think my biggest catch to date is a 20 pounds catfish. Cooking is
also an interesting hobby for me and for my food, I love anything green and fresh
especially vegetable salad. The food here has been great and I feel like home.”
Korir said, “Cooking is also my hobby and my favourite food is ugali (a traditional
Kenyan food). Though, I’m based in the States but there are various African food
stalls where I get ingredients to prepare my favourite meals. Rice and beans with
meat is another favourite food of mine.”
Fans can’t wait enough to see the duo strut their stuff on Friday as they set the
tracks of the newly reconstructed stadium “on fire” at the season-opening event.
Doing well in Doha is top season priority for Alonso Edwards
Panama-born Alonso Edwards, the 200m silver medallist at the 2009 IAAF World
Championships in Berlin, believes another go at a global medal is not something
un-achievable and the 2019 event could just be the time to impress again.
"The IAAF Doha Diamond League is one step in the right direction towards achieving
this aim," he explained.
"The season is going to be a long one and we are doing everything to be injury-free
and in top form as we head towards the championships.”
Edwards will be on the track on Friday alongside other stars which include Trinidad &
Tobago's Jereem Richards, Turkey's Ramil Guliyev and Columbia's Alex Quinonez.
Phyllis Francis advises female athletes to be resilient
Female athletes can achieve as much as their male counterparts in sports and they
should be persistent and not to give up no matter what, according to Phyllis Francis -
the world 400m champion.
Addressing the media at the press meet on Wednesday, the Olympic and world
4x400m relay gold medallist said:
"All female athletes should know that they’ve got what it takes to succeed within
them. You are the determinant of your success or failure and you should not allow
anyone to put you down. Always strive for the best and ensure you give life your best
shot and you will definitely succeed.”
Francis added that she has enjoyed every bit of her career and she looks forward to
achieving more:
“I believe I’ve got so much to give and I will keep striving - the world will always open
its doors to an achiever and I will keep aiming for the best,” she added.
