Karsten Warholm is looking to break the 400m hurdles world record at the Czech Golden Spike meeting on Tuesday, two weeks after trailing the three-decades-old mark by just 0.09sec.
On 23 August, the 24-year-old Norwegian ran 46.87 seconds at the Diamond League in Stockholm, setting a new European record.
It was the second-fastest time in history after Kevin Young’s 46.78 seconds from the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
Warholm was a late addition to the start list for the Golden Spike meeting in the eastern Czech steel hub of Ostrava as the organisers only confirmed his name last Wednesday.
“We are very serious about the Covid-19 precautions, so that has been an important issue,” said Warholm.
“It has been exactly two years since I was there last time for the Continental Cup, but at the Golden Spike I will run for the first time. I look forward to seeing you all again,” he added.
After landing in Ostrava on Sunday afternoon, Warholm hailed his form.
“Everything is working so far, we had a great flight,” he said.
“The weather is also improving. I will try to improve my best again. I heard that there will also be spectators and that makes me even happier.”
