Aths: Hamed ready to renew rivalry with Robinson

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2000
Aths: Hamed ready to renew rivalry with Robinson

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - Sydney hurdler Zid Abou Hamed has opted for rest ahead of competition
as he prepares to match last year's year-best time at Sunday's Grand Prix meet in Sydney.

Abou Hamed injured the abductor muscle in his knee 30 minutes before the 400m hurdle
final in the Canberra leg of the series.

The Australian representative sat out the Hobart leg but returned in Perth to finish
the top Australian, third behind Czech Jiri Muzik and American Eric Thomas.

Abou Hamed, who has already run an Olympic qualifying time, missed today's Grand Prix
meet in Brisbane to ensure he was fully fit for Sunday's race at his home track.

"That's why we decided we could not go to Brisbane ... to have an extra day for some
treatment," Hamed said.

"I'm looking to run a good time. It's in my home town. It's going to be a little bit
different to last year.

"It was my fastest time last year. I'm looking to run the same time or better."

The Syrian-born runner will also renew his rivalry with Atlanta Olympian Rohan Robinson
in Sydney.

Robinson, who finished fifth at the 1996 Olympics, was second behind Hamed at the Canberra meet.

Both have run Olympic qualifying times and are likely to represent Australia at the
Sydney Olympics.

However Abou Hamed's biggest competition will come from Olympic gold medallist Derrick
Adkins and fellow Americans Eric Thomas and Maurice Mitchell.

"It's good for us to have these guys down here," he said. "Hopefully it will help us
do a better time."

AAP bar/md

KEYWORD: ATHLETICS PRIX

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.