Taylor wants to send strong message

PARIS, France:

American Christian Taylor has dominated the men’s triple jump for more than three years and has gone over 18 metres twice, 18.21m when winning the world title two years ago in Beijing and 18.11m at the Eugene Diamond League this year.

The American now has two objectives when he competes at the Paris Diamond League meet tomorrow at the Stade Charlety Stadium. First, he wants to go over 18 metres and is he is also aiming at Jonathan Edwards’ 1995 world record of 18.29m.

“My objective is to go over 18m and also to break the world record, as whenever I have the opportunity to compete on a big stage like the Diamond League and with my competitors going to the World Championships, I like to send a strong message,” Taylor said in Paris yesterday.

He added: “The only reason I keep jumping now is because I think I can break the world record and my coach and I have put in the work and I want to put it out of reach so it can stand for at least another 20 years.”

RG