Tianna Madison:honoured to be part of rLG Ghana Grand Prix

2005 Women’s World Long Jump champion Tianna Madison says it’s an honour to be invited for the maiden edition of the rLG Ghana Grand Prix.
The 25 year old who became the youngest athlete, at the age of 19, to win a world championship in Helsinki 2005, is one of the foreign athletes who have been invited for the nation’s first ever international track and field competition on 6th August, 2011 at the Baba Yara stadium.
The Ghana Athletics Association is using the competition to promote the sport locally and also exposing local athletes to international standards as part of its broader aim of putting Ghana Athletics back on the map.
Speaking to E TV Sports, Tianna Madison who is from Elyria, Ohio in the United States expressed her delight at the chance to become part of Ghanaian athletics history.
“It is an honor to be invited to the Ghana Grand Prix especially since this event is the first of its kind, she said adding that,“ I've never been to Ghana and am excited to experience the country while I'm there.
“Because it's the first I want to make sure I have a spectacular performance to set the tone for years to come!
Over eighty (80) athletes from various countries are expected to take part in the competition which will include the 100, 200, and 400 meter sprints, middle distance competitions in the 1500m and 3000m, and field events like shot putt, triple and long jumps. The national 4x100m relay teams will also get an opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in competition against visiting teams.
Tianna is also expecting a tough field of competitors but aims to win nonetheless.
“I am excited to come to Ghana having never been before, I am also taking the competition seriously as it is a grand prix and competition should be tough!”
Apart from the women’s’ long jump, Tianna also competes in the 100 meter dash “in the 100 I expect to continue to execute my race strategy.
“Of course going for the "win" is always on the agenda. The same goes for the long jump, I want to execute- try to pull off a season's best and try to win!”
The 2005 World Champion took second position in the World Indoor Championship in 2006. The highly rated American has been participating in Athletics since the age of 12.