During the Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which was held at the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, on June 20-22, athletes from across the nation competed for a spot on the USA team that will compete at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, July 8-13.

Only the top two finishers in each event will compete in Poland, provided that they have met the qualifying standard. For the second consecutive year, Christian Taylor has garnered a spot on the USA team.

Taylor competed in both the long and triple jumps during the outdoor championships and not only met the qualifying standards but was selected to represent the United States in both events. He is also entered in the 4X400 relay pool. This accomplishment is remarkable in that this is the second consecutive year that he was selected to represent the U.S at the world championships. Last year, he was one of two high school athletes in the State of Georgia to be selected to compete at the World Youth Championships. This year, however, Taylor is the only male athlete to hail from Georgia.

When asked what he is most looking forward to during the World championships in Poland, Taylor stated, “This is an incredible opportunity to meet athletes from all over the world and to establish world-wide friendships. I look forward to seeing and competing against many of the athletes that I met last year.”

He added, “This level of competition will help to hone my skills and will help me to prepare for the next four years of competition within the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and ultimately selection on the 2012 USA Olympic team.”

Taylor leaves for Poland on Friday, July 3.

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