The three-time cross-country skiing Olympic champion Dario Cologna and sprint star Asafa Powell took on an icy challenge on Friday, 10 July 2015. They raced the 100 metres against each other on the Jungfraujoch at 3,454 meters above sea level. Cologna started on snow and Powell on the especially created tartan track. Swiss athlete Mujinga Kambundji and her 4 x 100 metres relay teammates also took part, as well as top wrestler Kilian Wenger.

The day after the 40th edition of Athletissima, Jungfrau Railways and Hublot brought the pinnacle of athletics to dizzying heights. At Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, the sprint specialist Asafa Powell and the successful Swiss cross-country skier Dario Cologna competed in a 100-metre race against each other.

A special tartan track was set up for the event on the Aletsch glacier at 3,454 meters above sea level. As a prelude, the Swiss 4 x 100-meter relay team with Mujinga Kambundji, Dario Cologna and Asafa Powell ran with schoolchildren and gave the young athletes a few tips. The highlight was the sprint between Dario Cologna and Asafa Powell. While the sprint star performed his supreme discipline on the track, Cologna made a flying start in the race on cross-country skis in the snow. The exciting race closed with a photo-finish. Asafa Powell, who had never run at this altitude and had never encountered cross-country skiing before, was enthusiastic: "I can imagine training here on the Jungfraujoch in the summer," he said with a wink. Dario Cologna also enjoyed the Challenge. "Sometimes I miss the snow in summer. That's why I'm delighted to be up here today," said the triple Olympic champion.

At the end, top wrestler and brand ambassador of Jungfrau Railways Kilian Wenger spontaneously challenged Asafa Powell to an arm wrestling match, and he defeated the fourth fastest 100-metre runner of all time.

Several sports events have already been held with world-famous athletes on the Jungfraujoch. "After the tennis match with Roger Federer last year I could not imagine topping that. But with sprint star Asafa Powell and the triple cross-country skiing Olympic champion Dario Cologna, we have managed to bring internationally famous sports stars to the Aletsch Glacier again," said Urs Kessler, CEO of Jungfrau Railways, after today's event.

DARIO COLOGNA - Hublot brand ambassador since 2010 - Starting on snow
The Swiss cross-country skier is one of the all-time greats. He has three crystal globes, in 2012 was crowned Swiss Person of the Year and Swiss Sportsperson of the Year in 2013. Cologna interrupted his summer training to compete in such a short sprint for the first time.

ASAFA POWELL - Starting on the tartan track
Former world-record holder in the 100 metres and fourth fastest sprinter in the history of his discipline. Olympic champion in 2008 and world champion in 2009 in the 4 x 100 metres relay. Powell ran for the first time at such an altitude with an athlete from another discipline.

SWISS WOMEN'S 4 x 100 METRE RELAY TEAM
The team that has already qualified for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 consists of Mujinga Kambundji, Fanette Humair, Marisa Lavanchy and Lea Sprunger. At the Top of Europe, the Swiss sprinters shared the passion of their discipline with the young athletes.

erstellt 10.07.2015
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