Many would have thought that World Record holder in the women’s 1500m, Genzebe Dibaba had little to offer at the Lausanne Diamond League which held on Thursday, August 25 in Switzerland. However, the reigning World Champion bounced back in style to stun her opponents to win the women’s 3000m with a new Meeting Record (MR) of 8:31.84.
The 2015 IAAF Athlete of the Year kept cool even after Hellen Obiri overtook her to set the pace for the rest of the field. The Ethiopian was only waiting for the bell and as soon as it went off, she overtook her rivals and ran the race of her life, storming to the finishing line ahead of Obiri (8:33.96) and Mercy Cherono (8:34.49). Margaret Chelimo was 4th with a Personal Best (PB) of 8:37.54.
The multiple World Indoor record holder seems to be finding the form that saw her emerge as one of the best middle distance runners of all time, and will be hoping to once again dominate her events after finishing 2nd to Faith Kipyegon at the Rio Olympics.
Also joining Dibaba in the record breaking form was Ayanleh Souleiman who also raced to the fifth fastest time in history, setting a World Lead (WL), National Record (NR) and Diamond League Record (DLR) of 2:13.49 to finish ahead of Asbel Kiprop who placed 4th with a PB of 2:14.23.
Kenya’s Robert Biwott followed in 2nd in 2:13.89 as teammate Jonathan Kitilit placed 3rd in a PB of 2:13.95. 5th place finisher Marcin Lewandowski raced to a Polish record of 2:14.30, while newly crowned Olympic Champion in the 1500m, Matthew Centrowitz also set a PB of 2:16.67.
The third athlete to set an MR at the Lausanne Diamond league was none other than Sam Kendricks in the men’s Pole vault. WR holder in the event Renaud Lavillenie missed all three events at 5.80m while the American sailed past the height on his first attempt.
As the last man standing, the Rio 2016 Bronze medallist went on to win the event in an MR of 5.92m to upstage the Frenchman who followed in 2nd place with 5.72m. Piotr Lisek and World Champion Shawn Barber were 3rd and 4th with clearances of 5.72m and 5.62m respectively.
Double Sprint Olympic Champion Elaine Thompson was the woman to beat in the 100m, outclassing the rest of the field to win the race in 10.78s. USA’s Jenna Prandini was 2nd in 11.11s, and Morolake Akinosun 3rd in 11.16s.
Dutchman Churandy Martina raced to an NR of 19.81s to win the men’s 200m, while Diamond Race winner Alonso Edward, and Julian Forte set SBs of 19.92s and 20.16s respectively.
Experience won in the men’s 400m, with Rio 2016 Bronze medallist LaShawn Merritt crossing the finishing line in 44.50s to finish ahead of Steven Gardiner (44.75s) and Liemarvin Bonevacia (45.26s).
Francine Niyonsaba dominated the women’s 800m in the absence of Olympic Champion Francine Niyonsaba, clocking a time of 1:57.71 to take the win, while Kenya’s Eunice Sum out up one of her best performances this season, following in 2nd place with 1:58.41. Lynsey Sharp and Melissa Bishop were 3rd and 4th in 1:58.52 and 1:58.71.
The fans were thrilled to see WR holder in the 100m Hurdles Kendra Harrison return to action a non-Diamond League event. The 23-year old comfortably won the race in 12.42s, which was just 0.02s shy of the MR. Dawn Harper-Nelson (12.71s) and Jasmin Stowers (12.75s) followed, while Cindy Ofili finished 4th in 12.80s.
Orlando Ortega stunned World Leader and Olympic Champion Omar McLeod (13.12s) to win the 110 Hurdles in 13.11s, as Dimitri Bascou placed 3rd in 13.25s.
Newly crowned Olympic Champion in the women’s 400m Hurdles, Dalilah Muhammad was unstoppable, taking the title in 53.78s. Eilidh Doyle was 2nd in 54.45s and European Champion Sara Petersen 3rd in 54.98s.
Two-time Olympic Champion in the women’s Shot put Valerie Adams recorded her 28th Diamond League victory with a mark of 19.94m to secure revenge over reigning champion Michelle Carter (19.49m). Christina Schwanitz was 3rd in 19.33m.
Philip Milanov (65.61m) emerged the surprise winner in the men’s Discus throw with his winning mark of 65.61m. Lukas Weisshaidinger (64.84m) and Zoltán Kovago (64.52m) followed, as World Leader Piotr Malachowski finished a distant 6th with 62.46m.
Madara Palameika extended her lead in the Diamond Race after winning the women’s Javelin with a mark of 65.29m to finish ahead of former Olympic Champion Barbora Spotakova (64.48m).
Rio 2016 Bronze medallist Ivana Spanovic outclassed the rest of the field to lead the standings in the women’s Long Jump with a leap of 6.83m. Great Britain’s Lorraine Ugen (6.71m) was 2nd, as Darya Klishina finished 3rd with 6.50m.
Shara Proctor (6.48m) and reigning Olympic and World Champion, Tianna Bartoletta (6.46m) placed 4th and 5th, while Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare finished 6th with a jump of 16.11m.
Reigning Olympic and World Champion in the women’s Triple jump, Caterine Ibarguen secured her grip on the Diamond Race trophy with her leap of 14.76m, finishing ahead of Olga Rypakova who had a jump of 14.53m.
