Williams, Felix face off tomorrow

Briana Williams says she is excited to square off with one of her idols as she gets ready to compete in the 60m race at the 113th NYRR Millrose Games at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York tomorrow.

The 17-year-old will get a chance to match her skills against five Olympians, including renowned track and field star Allyson Felix of the United States.

It will be the first time the double World Junior champion will enter the starting blocks alongside the six-time Olympic gold medallist and 13-time World Champion who is gunning to make one last appearance at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Williams, who has clocked three personal bests in three 60m races this season, is relishing the opportunity of going up against one of the most decorated female sprinters.

“I’m excited about the line-up,” she said. “I’ve been looking up to Allyson ever since I started track, so this is pretty awesome that I get to race against her. She has accomplished so much, especially at a young age.”

As athletes continue to fine-tune their preparations ahead of this summer’s showpiece, coach Ato Boldon sees this as just another 60m race in Williams’ 2020 preparation.

“Training has been exceptional, so I expect another [personal best] from Briana this weekend,” Boldon said. “She has run against the two Olympic 100m champions on multiple occasions, so she won’t be overwhelmed by the spotlight.”

Williams opened her 2020 season with a personal best time of 7.25 seconds at the Clemson University Orange & Purple Elite Invitational on January 4, then stopped the clock in 7.15 seconds to top the field at the Queen’s/Grace Jackson Meet on January 25.

The women’s 60m will also include Jamaica’s Trudy-Ann Williamson, the USA’s Morolake Akinosun, Hannah Cunliffe, Teahna Daniels, Javianne Oliver, Deajah Stevens and Germany’s Tatjana Pinto.