The FBK Games in Hengelo To Get New Look in 2018

By Adam Kopet

The 2018 FBK Games in Hengelo, the Netherlands, is getting a makeover, according to an IAAF preview.

Dafne Schippers, the two-time world champion over 200 meters from the Netherlands, is slated to run in the 200 against world leader, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguenor. Okagbare-Ighoteguenor has run 22.04 to Schippers' 22.34 so far this season.

The women's 200 is one of 11 events scheduled to be held at Sunday's meet. The other events are the 200, 400 and 800, the 110-meter hurdles, the long jump and the pole vault for men and the 400, mile, 100-meter hurdles and high jump for the women.

There will also be a special event pitting four NN Running Team athletes against relay teams of three well-trained amateurs in a 5,000-meter race.

The FBK Games will also feature Wavelight technology to provide a visual representation of various paces on the inside of the track. Different colored light will be used to show where the athletes are compared to world record, meet record, national record and world-leading paces.

A number of Americans have been billed to face off against top Dutch athletes. Brianna Rollins McNeal and Dawn Harper-Nelson will face Nadine Visser in the 100-meter hurdles. Jenny Simpson will tackle the mile, however, Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan has withdrawn with a foot injury.

On the men's side, Christian Taylor will race the 400 against Dutch favorite Liemarvin Bonevacia. Sam Kendricks will compete in the pole vault and Jeff Henderson will compete in the long jump.