Robles pulls out of Shanghai Grand Prix due to foot injury

Robles pulls out of Shanghai Grand Prix due to foot injury

BEIJING, Sept. 18 -- Beijing Olympic 110-meter hurdles champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba is giving the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix a miss due to a foot injury, the organizers said yesterday.

American David Oliver, the bronze medallist in Beijing, who outran the Cuban in Laussane, Switzerland, earlier this month, is now the favorite at the Shanghai GP, which will be held this weekend.


Dayron Robles of Cuba celebrates after men's 110m hurdles final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Dayron Robles won the title with 12.93 seconds. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)


"I will not be lonely at all as there will be other competitors next to me. And I will run just like I compete against Robles," said David when asked if he would feel lonely on the track without the two big names in hurdles -- China's Liu Xiang and Robles.

"Fans in China are always great, which we saw at the Beijing Olympic Games," said David. "I will just go out there for them and put on a great show."

David's view was also echoed by the 200m Olympic champion Veronica Campbell, who will be looking for a personal best in the 100m at the Shanghai Grand Prix.

"A world record is still way beyond me, since WRs in women's dash are too hard to break," the Jamaican said. "But I will give my best and make sure that everybody who attends the event can enjoy."

Besides them, Russian pole vault queen and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva is coming.

The 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix will be held from 7:30pm to 10pm on Saturday at the Shanghai Stadium.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)