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Oliver eyes Diamond Race title

Xinhua, July 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Reigning world 110m hurdles champion David Oliver of United States revealed his ambition to win the Diamond Race title ahead of Thursday's IAAF Diaond League Stockholm meeting.

"I've been running fairly well in the IAAF Diamond League," said the 33-year-old at Wednesday's pre-competition press conference.

"I'm leading at the moment and I hope to win the series. That is my ultimate goal," he added.

Oliver has grabbed two victories in the Diamond League so far this season, respectively in Shanghai and New York, and has accumulated 11 points to stand atop the Diamond Race standings. France's Pascal Martinot-Lagarde, Cuba's Orlando Ortega and Oliver's countryman Jason Richardson are joint second-ranked chasers with six points each.

If Oliver can replicate his 2013 victory in Stockholm on Thursday, he will stand a big chance to win the Diamond Race as a podium finish at the season's finale in Zurich would be good enough for him to seal the deal.

"It's always great to be back in Stockholm. I have good memories of competing here," said Oliver, who holds a 12.98 season best when he finished second behind Ortega at the Diamond League Paris meet.

"Paris was the first time I've been under 13 seconds since 2011. I do feel I'm one of the most consistent performers around, I pride myself on that," he added.

In Stockholm, Oliver will face tough challenge as Ortega has also set the Diamond League title as his top goal for 2015.

"My focus is to win the IAAF Diamond League. That would be my gold medal for the year," said Ortega who was celebrating his 24th birthday on Wednesday.

The Olympic sixth-placer explained at the news conference that he was clear to represent Spain in competitions but would not be able to participate in the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing next month.

"It's always been a dream to compete for Spain since I left Cuba. I hope for the best going forward," he said. "I knew it would be impossible to compete in Beijing but I hope to compete in Rio (Olympics Games) and in Portland (at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2016)." Endi