Ukhov and Friedrich start their preparations for Paris in Hustopece

European indoor champion Ariane Friedrich of Germany.

Both of the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships high jump gold medallists, Russia’s Ivan Ukhov and Germany’s Ariane Friedrich, will start the build up to the defence of their titles in Paris next March at the 7th Moravia High Jump Tour meeting in Hustopece, Czech Republic, on January 29.

The 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships will be held at the Palais Omnisport Paris-Bercy between March 4-6.

Ukhov and Friedrich will return to Hustopece, the second leg of the Tour, having both won there in 2010.

Ukhov jumped a superb meeting record of 2.37m last January, the best jump in the world indoors or out in 2010, and he will make his fifth appearance at the Tour.

“I love Hustopece, I always jump high there. I want to defend not only my title from Torino this winter (in Paris) but also my position as number one jumper,” said the Russian.

He was the most consistent top-level high jumper in the world this year and also won at the World Indoor Championships in March but he had to settle for second place at the European Athletics Championships, behind his compatriot Alexsandr Shustov

Friedrich achieved 1.95m to win this year but set a meeting record of 2.00m in 2009.

Like Ukhov, she is a regular visitor to Hustopece. Next year’s event will be the fourth occasion she has jumped at the competition.

In similar fashion to Ukhov as well, she confirmed that the 2011 European Athletics Indoor Championships are in her plans.

“In last three years, I started my indoor season in Hustopece so that is the reason why I am returning, I know the place well and I also know you can jump high there. Currently my training is going well and I m preparing for the indoor season with full speed. A good beginning is always important and this season is important because I want defend my title in Paris,” said Friedrich.

The first meeting of the Tour in Trinec on January 26 will see Sweden´s Emma Green, the 2010 European Athletics Championships silver medallist, and Russia’s Aleksey Dmitrik, who got the silver medal behind Ukhov in Torino, as the main names.