Initial Fields Announced For 2009 Reebok Grand Prix

World record holders and Olympic gold medalists headline New York City’s premier outdoor track and field event.

Stellar fields will land on May 30th at New York City’s Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island for the 2009 edition of the Reebok Grand Prix.

Highlights will most certainly include an assault on the women’s world record in the 5000m by nine-time world champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia, with help from sister Genzebe Dibaba and New Zealand’s Kim Smith.  The men’s 5000m will also see an attempt at an American soil and American national record by American Bernard Lagat, but he will have his hands full with world cross-country champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia and 2008 Olympic medalists Edwin Soi and Micah Kogo of Kenya.

In the shorter distances,  Allyson Felix will face off against Sanya Richards at 400m in a rematch of the adidas Track Classic, which was won by Felix.  The women’s 100m will feature a fantastic match-up of former Olympic gold medalist American Lauryn Williams and defending Reebok champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica.

More fields will be announced later in the week.  Initial reports indicate this will be the first meet since the Olympics for American sprint star Tyson Gay.

For More: Marquee Match-ups of World Champions and Olympic Medalists in Place for 2009 Reebok Grand Prix