Armand DUPLANTIS (SWE)
Men’s Pole Vault - 1st, 5.80
It wasn't the best performance. Not by any means, but I know that I’m in a good shape. I didn’t feel so light on the ground today as far as running wise. The running didn’t feel that good, a little bit flat. Other than that it was cool, nice to be here. A new place to jump.
My dream is to continue the way that I am at right now. I always wanna be jumping as well as I think I can jump. Today I don't really think I did that.
Salome KORA (SUI)
Women’s 60m (Heat 1) - 1st, 7.25
It was written 7,12, but then they corrected to 7,25 which is also good, but not that good. It’s my PB – I equaled my PB with this. So it’s also good, but 7,12 would have been crazy.
David YEFREMOV (KAZ)
Men’s 60mh (Heat 2) - 1st, PB, NR 7.59
I am happy today I could finally beat my own record. It was a long way.
Sarah LAVIN (IRE)
Women’s 60mh (Heat 2) - 2nd, PB 7.93
It’s been doing really well at preparation. My speed is better, my athletics is better, gym is better. So, to open this year, Olympic year, with the PB is great. It’s nice to have qualifying time from last year. Now it’s just looking to be a little bit better. I push for what I can do in Paris. Kazakhstan is fantastic, you put a real show. Facility is so beautiful. I love snow, it takes all in boxes.
Nia ALI (USA)
Women’s 60mh (Heat1) - 1st, 7.99
Well, I have never been to Kazakhstan that is why I was really excited to come to a new place. I have heard a lot about the food, and I am a big foodie, that is why I decided to go here and try horse meat and new different things. I am just excited to start my competition here, go over the world and challenge myself.
Samuel TEFERA (ETH)
Men's 3000m - 1st, 7:33,80
Competition is very nice, I am very happy to be here. My goal for the upcoming season is to take part in 3 000, 5 000 and 10 000 meters.
Andre DE GRASSE (CAN)
Men's 60m - 6th, 6.66
It’s nice. It was fun to come here in Kazakhstan for a first time. I enjoyed it. It’s snowing like back home in Canada. It’s nice facility, friendly people. I want to come back here before I finish my career and do something here. I always read about this place and hoped I can come here in the future.
Anthonique STRACHAN (BAH)
Women’s 60 m - 1st, 7.08
I am fast! This is my first Indoor tournament for the season. It’s my second run and I win. I’m really happy. My goal it’s to be faster because I’m using my indoor to set up for my outdoor season. So it looks like it’s going right. I’ve never expected that.
Demek KEMP (USA)
Men’s 60m - 1st, 6.55
It is mixed emotions, it been long two years with a lot of injuries. I am just happy to put a time, i guess some points on the board, next meet hopefully will be better.
Marissa DAMINK (NED)
Women’s Mile - 6th, 4.35
In the Mile I like to be fast, and to do technically right decisions. Hopefully, I will go to other cities in this tournament and check it. It was good. I am not used to this cold, but I think it is hot today for Kazakh terms. I guess, I can not complain.
Maja CILIC (SRB)
Women’s 400m - 2nd, 54.8
It was not a hard race but my opponent went faster the last 5 meters. I lost my focus. It’s not just focus, maybe I was tired in the end. I don’t know something happened.
Vitaly ZEMS (KAZ)
Men’s 60 m (Heat 2) - 2nd
Great competition, long-awaited. It is the first time Kazakhstan is helding such a big competition. We all dreamed about it. Regarding my rin, I can say I don’t like everything I did. I ran worse than I planned.
Nadezhda DUBOVITSKAYA (KAZ)
Women’s High Jump - 2nd, 1.90
I didn’t expect the Meet to be this spectacular: the crowd, their support, world stars. It is a new level for our Athletics, I am very happy that we are coming to the higher levels.
Now I feel more confident. When I jumped higher, people started to applaud and it brought hope. I felt like I need to show them, they came for a reason.
Partners of the Federation: Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Fund for the Support of the Tourism and Sports Industry Sport Qory.
