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Thursday 10 June 2004 Bergen, Norway – The second largest city in Norway

after the capital Oslo, Bergen with a population of 230,000, will welcome the

Evergood Bergen Bislett Games, the opening meet of the TDK Golden League 2004

on Friday (11 June) in the newly refurbished Fana stadium.

International flavour

Founded in the 11th century, Bergen in the 13th century was the capital of

Norway and was one of the world’s major ports in the Middle Ages, being

part of the Baltic’s Hanseatic trading League. Today, Bergen’s

wealth is derived from the North Sea Oil fields.

So it is quiet in-keeping with the city’s established international

connections, that it will host the Evergood Bergen Bislett Games, as it

appropriately it finds itself the hub of the world of Athletics this

week.

Oslo’s Bislett stadium the traditional home of Norway’s premier

athletics fixture is currently being re-built and so is unavailable.

In the micro-climate of Norway’s Western coast which is affected by

the Gulf Stream, Bergen is prone to persistent rain, and this week it is living

up to it’s damp reputation as the participants in yesterday’s IAAF

Kid’s Athletics will testify.

Quality start list

However, the quality of the start list which the organisers have composed

for this meeting is of such weight that unless there is a deluge on Friday

night, the spirits of even the wettest will be lifted by what is set to be a

wonderful start to the TDK Golden League 2004.