The collection of talent at next week’s Kansas Relays leaves meet director Tim Weaver speechless.
Well, almost.
“It’s gotten to the point I don’t know what to say,” gasped Weaver, who Wednesday revealed a list of 110 athletes set to compete at GOLDZONE II, the featured portion of the 2006 Relays, to run 2-5 p.m., Saturday, April 22 at Memorial Stadium.
“There has never been a collection of talent like this at a track and field meet in this part of the country,” added Weaver, who has been compared to boxing promoter Don King for his unabashed enthusiasm and ability to speak rapidly.
The list of GOLDZONE II competitors will include seven Olympic champions, including sprinters Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin, Shawn Crawford and Brian Lewis, who will compete in the invitational 400 relay at 5 p.m. on April 22. Other Olympic champions are: Otis Harris (200), Crystal Cox (200) and Nick Hysong (pole vault).
Three Olympic silver medalists and one bronze winner will compete, as well as 24 additional Olympians, eight world champions, six additional world-championship medal winners, eight U.S. champions, 19 NCAA champions and 34 other major-championship winners.
“The fields of GOLDZONE II are even more impressive than those we enjoyed last spring,” said Weaver, who brought in sprinters Marion Jones and Green a year ago.
“There are only so many household names in track and field. The fact that many of them will be in Memorial Stadium on April 22 speaks to the strength of the Kansas Relays and the reputation that the local fans are getting around the world. Athletes want to go where the crowds are.”
Weaver believes the Relays, which drew the second-largest crowd in history last year (24,619) can top the all-time mark of 30,000 fans set in 1972.
“I think that goal is attainable. We want people to come out and not only witness history but be a part of history,” Weaver said.
“I feel like more of a voice-over guy in a late night commercial for steak knives than I do a meet director,” he added, his voice rising. “‘How much would you pay to come see Maurice Greene in Memorial Stadium? Wait, don’t answer yet. We’ll also throw in Justin Gatlin, Allyson Felix (100), seven Olympic Champions and 110 total champions.”‘
Athletes will represent 641 schools from 17 states. Countries to be represented include France, Great Britain, Russia, Kenya, Jamaica, Congo, Trinidad, Canada, Haiti, St. Kitts, Cameroon, Tunisia, Norway, Uganda, Virgin Islands, Finland, Dominican Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Latvia.
“We are definitely excited about what this can be. We are waiting to see the difference between what can be and what will be,” KU coach Stanley Redwine said. “We are going to do everything that we can to put on a great show for the fans that come out to support the track meet.
“I think it (the hype) adds to everything, especially because this is our only home meet. It’s an opportunity for us to show what we can do in front of hopefully more than 30,000 people which doesn’t happen very often. We are definitely excited, and I’m sure the athletes are excited.”
