Dawn Harper Nelson Track Notes

Posted by:

Friday, 05 September 2014

Great North CityGames – Newcastle, England – Sept. 6, 2014

Vitals

DOB: 5/13/84 Height: 5’6” Weight: 134 Hometown: East St. Louis, Ill.

College: UCLA ’06 High School: East St. Louis High School ’02

Coach: Bobby Kersee Sponsor: Nike

PB: 12.37 – 2012 Olympics (London) World Ranking: 1

Track Meet

Great North CityGames, NewcastleGateshead Quayside, Newcastle, England

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2014 at 12:30 PM CEST

TAKE IT TO THE STREETS

The Great North CityGames is an unique race in that it takes place in the heart of the city of Newcastle, England where the streets are transformed into a track and field arena for world-class athletes to compete. No need for tickets, all spectators can get close to the action and feel the weight of the competition. Last year the attendance was over 25,000. Olympian and Three-time Diamond League Champion Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) ran in 100-meter hurdles at this meet in 2011 (12.73 first) finishing first and 2013 (12.98 seconds) for third. This year she will face fellow Americans Brianna Rollins and Nia Ali, as well as Great Britain’s Tiffany Porter.

ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A CHAMPION

Olympian Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) was crowned IAAF Diamond League Champion in the 100-meter hurdles on August 28 at the Weltklasse Zurich meet in Zurich. The three-peat champion recorded a time of 12.58 seconds for the top spot, to put her solidly ahead in overall points with 21. Race results were Sally Peterson of Australia finishing second (12.71 seconds) and Great Britain’s Tiffany Porter finishing third (12.72 seconds). Harper Nelson still holds the season’s world lead time of 12.44 seconds set in Paris on July 5 and is ranked number one in the world in 100-meter hurdles.

SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?

In Birmingham, England, on Aug. 24, at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix, Olympian and Three-time IAAF Diamond League Champion Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) took the top spot (12.66 seconds) for the 100-meter hurdles over Queen Harrison (USA), who then sat at the top of the leader board in the hunt for the IAAF Diamond League trophy.

On Aug. 21, Harper Nelson placed third in 100-meter hurdle race at IAAF Diamond League DN Galan meet in Stockholm. She recorded a time of 12.99 seconds behind, fellow Harrison (12.66 seconds) and Nia Ali (USA) (12.96 seconds), first and second place.

Harper Nelson was back to pursuing the IAAF Diamond league three-peat title and trophy in Paris on July 5, at the Meet Areva after a two month break. There, she placed first (12.44 seconds) besting Harrison (USA). She finished at the top of the IAAF Diamond League leader board with eight points, along with setting the world lead time.

On June 28, Harper Nelson (12.55) won the U.S.A. Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, Calif., again edging Harrison (12.56) in a photo finish of the 100-meter hurdles to receive her first National title.

Another nail biter for Harper Nelson, she lost to Harrison (12.62) at the IAAF Diamond League - adidas Grand Prix in New York on June 14, the sixth race of the season. Harper Nelson placed second by a hundredth of a second (12.63).

Harper Nelson placed second at her first IAAF Diamond League race in Rome onJune 7. Her performance to date is a seventh place (12.87) finish at Drake Relays, back-to-back wins at the Cayman Invitational (12.81), George Town, Cayman Island and the Meeting International Region Guadeloupe (12.77), Pointe-a-Pitre, Gaudeloupe; unfortunately, at the BT Great CityGames in Manchester, England, Harper-Nelson did not finish, as she hit the third hurdle and fell.

I AM READY TO ACCEPT BEING THE CHOSEN ONE!

Olympian and Three-time IAAF Diamond League Champion Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) has been chosen to represent the Americas team in the 100-meter hurdles for the 2014 IAAF Continental Cup on September 13-14 in Marrakech. Formerly the IAAF World Cup in Athletics, started in 1977, brings together, based on ranking, invited individual track and field athletes who normally represent their country to compete as a team to represent their continent. Americas team is made up of athletes from countries in both North America and South America, competing against Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

GIVING IS GOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR A CURE!

Twenty-six million people in the United States have diabetes, and Olympian and Three-time IAAF Diamond League Champion Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) is no stranger to the disease. The Nike sponsored athlete has partnered with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) because of her personal experience with diabetes, as her beloved family members- grandparents and eldest aunt- battle the disease daily, with her grandfather dying after being in a diabetic coma. Harper Nelson is encouraging everyone to participate in the Tour de Cure event, a bike ride through southern California to raise money to find a cure and improve the lives of all people affected by the disease. For more information on how to form a team or join a team, visit www.diabetes.org/tourdecure.

COME VISIT ME @ MY WEBSITE!

Olympian and Three-time Diamond IAAF League Champion Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) launched her website, www.dawnharpernelson.com, on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The website captures the true essence of Harper Nelson. When people see her on the track Harper Nelson is seen as an intense competitor, but what is not seen is the softer side of her, as she enjoys laughing and storytelling. Visitors to the site will be able to take a professional and personal journey with her. Visitors are also invited to follower her on Twitter, @dharp100mH, and like her on Facebook,www.facebook.com/ dawnharpernelson.

NEXT UP

The final race of the 2014 season for Dawn Harper Nelson (USA) will be IAAF Continental Cup on Sept. 13, in Marrakech.

Quote

WINNING IAAF DIAMOND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP - “This year my goal was to stay healthy and to concentrate on running my race. Running my race means to not worry about anyone other than me, no matter who lines up beside me or what lane I am in. I actually did this and won three times Diamond League championships back-to-back. Crazy right! My coach and I knew that I could. I just needed to continue to focus.” –Olympian and Three-time IAAF Diamond League Champion in the 100-meter Hurdles Dawn Harper Nelson

# # #

For interview requests, contact

Tonita Perry, Eaddy Perry & Associates, Inc., [email protected],+17049656956

David Hart, Nova International, Ltd., david.hart@nova-international. com, +0191 226 3230; +07771 983688

Eaddy Perry & Associates, Inc.
TEL+1704.965.6956 WC TEL+1310.709.9389/FAX+1704. 631.4564
[email protected]
www.eaddyperry.com

Associates in Charlotte, NC (HQ), Florence, SC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, & New York