As Neeraj Chopra (IND), Steven Gardiner (BAH), Nina Kennedy (AUS) and Miltiádis Tentóglou (GRE) sat at the top table ahead of Friday’s Seashore Group Doha Meeting (10 May), each spoke about their goals for the third meeting of the Wanda Diamond League and beyond.
Olympic, world and Asian Games javelin champion Chopra arrived in Doha earlier this week and was the star of a local school visit on Wednesday (9 May) - one of six school visits that took place with different athletes as part of the event activation - where he was welcomed by a large number of excited children before talking about his career and achievements to date.
The Doha javelin competition has built a reputation for its high quality in recent years and conditions permitting, much will be expected of the key protagonists at the Qatar Sports Club on 10 May. That theme, and the possibility of a 90m throw from India’s hugely popular record holder (89.94m), dominated much of the press conference.
“I’ve been asked about 90m since 2018 and in this press conference last year I was told Doha was good for it,” said the inspirational 26-year old who won last year’s competition with 88.67m.
“I’d like to throw 90m, but consistency for me is more important. I think it’s one of my greatest strengths. Training has been going good and I’m ready for tomorrow.”
Staying healthy is the main goal for Olympic 400m champion and former world champion Gardiner who clocked a national record of 43.48 with victory at the World Athletics Championships in Doha 2019.
In the lead up to the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, the 28-year-old had been in fine form. He cruised through the opening round but was injured in the semi-final and failed to finish. He returned to competitive action with a 31.99 300m in Florida in March 2024 ahead of the “fun” World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas on 4/5 May.
“I’m in pretty decent shape but my main goal is to stay healthy throughout the season, that’s the priority,” said Gardiner who planted a tree at the Qatar Sports Club earlier in the week as part of the event organisers’ sustainability programme.
World and Commonwealth pole vault champion Kennedy is the Australian record holder with 4.91m.
Much has changed in the last two years for the 2022 Wanda Diamond League champion whose season’s best of 4.65m was good enough to win the Australian Championships title in April.
While she dreams of joining the 5.00m club one day, her immediate focus is on enjoying the pressure that comes with success.
“The last two years for me have been a huge step up for my career,” she said. “I think for sure the other girls look at me differently now and they see me as a threat, but the pressure sits well with me right now; it’s a new feeling, new nerves (in Olympic year), but I’m trying to approach it exactly the same as last year and I’m trying to enjoy it. I’m honestly really excited.
“This (meeting) is about shaking off the dust and getting into the right mindset and routine. It’s the first Diamond League of the season for us and it’s nice to see where everyone is at. The women’s pole vault is in amazing health, and in Olympic year everyone raises the bar literally and figuratively.”
Tentóglou has already won every major title. The Olympic, world and European long jump champion - who will star at the Seashore Group Doha Meeting for the first time - boasts a personal best of 8.60m from 2021.
When asked how he stays motivated, he told a packed press room, “I try to be better every time.”
Doha is the first competition of the summer season for the 26-year-old Greek athlete who retained his world indoor title with victory in Glasgow on 2 March. As he builds towards the European Championships and onwards to the Olympic Games, his expectations for Friday’s meeting are more about performing well than jumping far. “It’s very early for me,” he said; “but I’m confident and I’m expecting something solid.”
What was clear from the press conference was the respect that each athlete had for their fellow competitors and their respective goals and challenges.
As it came to a close, Tentóglou was asked what his dream distance would be (“8.75m”, for those who are wondering), but before he answered he politely interjected, “I will be really happy if Neeraj throws 90m.”
In his response, he answered for the room – and for the sell-out crowd who will cheer from the stands of the Qatar Sports Club tomorrow evening.
