Women’s long jump has a chance to be a thriller at DN Galan, Friday July 31 at Stockholm Olympic Stadium.

Five of the world’s top jumpers, of whom three have personal bests of at least 7.06, are competing. Seven of the participants have jumped 6.80 or further.

-Last year Naide Gomes was one lousy centimetre from the Stadium record, so I hope that she will land on the right side of the 20-year old record, says meeting director Rajne Söderberg.

The record, 7.05 was set by Russian Galina Chistyakova in 1989, but the question is will it survive an impressive field that looks like a dress rehearsal for the World Championships in Berlin.

Three of the stars have personal bests that are better than the Stadium record.

Tatyana Lebedeva has jumped 7.33 and among her achievements are Olympic gold 2004 and silver 2008 and World Championship gold 2007. The experienced Russian has 32 meets over 6.80 and as a triple jumper she has won Olympic silver twice, one bronze and two gold- and one silver from World Championships.

Naide Gomes, Portugal, has jumped 7.12 and was fourth at the World Championships 2007. She had two jumps over seven metres at DN Galan last year and it’s a fair guess that she will give her best to get a diamond.

This year’s world leader, Brittney Reese, USA, was second at DN Galan last year with 6.80, but has a personal best of 7.06.

Keijo Liimatainen

Press Chief

DN Galan