James-King, Distin face Olympic acid tests today

FOLLOWING WINS at the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships, high jumper Lamara Distin and 400-metre hurdler Malik James-King step up their preparation for the Olympic Games with both down to compete at the Meeting De Paris Wanda Diamond League today.

Distin will compete in the women’s high jump in what is her first Diamond League appearance of the season.

Distin will face a stacked lineup, which includes the two best in the event this season – Yaroslava Muhuchikh of Ukraine, with a best of 2.04 metres, and Nicola Olslagors of Australia, with 2.03.

Distin, despite a two-metre clearance indoors, has only gone 1.96 outdoors this season.

In an interview following her win at the National Championships, Distin said she would be using the meet today to work on her approach, which she thinks needs to be fixed ahead of the Olympics.

James-King, following his success at the National Championships, where he won the men’s 400-metre hurdles with a personal best 47.42 seconds, will make his second Diamond League appearance of the season.

James-King will face Allison Dos Santos of Brazil, the favourite to take the Olympic title this year. Dos Santos has gone 46.63 seconds this season.

James-King will also be hoping to turn the tables on Costa Rica’s Gerald Drummond and Rasmus Magi of Estonia, who finished first and second at the Prefontaine Classic where he was fifth.