Mariya Lasitskene, Pre Classic 2017, photo by PhotoRun.net
The 15,000 fans in the Stade Olympic de la Pontiase were feted on Thursday night to some of the finest moments of track & field anywhere in 2017. More than that, the combination of local, regional and country events, plus global class events showed what the Diamond League should be, when it is a focused three hours.
Where do we begin?
Tomas Walsh started the shot well, with a 21.97m throw. Ryan Crouser, the recent US champ and man with longest throw in 14 years, dropped a 22.18m first throw. Then, Crouser gave a lesson in shot put throwing: 22.18m, a foul, 21.56m, 22.39m, 22.35m. The fifth attempt did the job! Ryan Crouser wins with 22.39m.
The investment in the men's pole vault with Sam Kendricks, Renaud Lavillenie and Mondo Duplantis had the fans fascinated until the end of the night. Mondo cleared 5.71m, finishining seventh, Renaud Lavillenie continued his healthy jumping, clearing 5.81m, a seasonal best, and Sam Kendricks battled Pawel Wojciechowksi, Poland, who took two times to Sam Kendrick's one time to clear 5.93m, a new meet record. Both tried 6.03m, and did not make a clearance.
The men's 400 meters was fascinating, with Thebe Baboloki leading through 300 meters, and then, with a quick burst, actually a lengthening of his stride, Wayde Van Niekerk took control, and then, gently finished, with a WL of 43.62, with Baboloki in 44.02 PB. Wayde Van Niekerk's WL, DLR, MR.
On the women's side, Daphne Schippers battled with Marie Josee Ta Lou, who did not let up. Schippers ran a seasonal best of 22.15 and Marie Jose Ta Lou ran 22.16 NR!
In the women's 400m hurdles, world leader Dallilah Muhammed dnfed, a week after her 52.64. Ashley Spencer put on the pressure, winning in 53.90, with Swiss star Lea Sprunger running a gutty race, and running PB of 54.29, a week after Sprunger's NR of 51.09.
In the deepest 800 meters in this writer's memory, ten women were under 2 minutes with Francine Niyongasa, who lead and won in 1:56.82, a seasonal best. Charlene Lipsey ran a gutty race and was rewarded with her 1:57.38 PB, with Siffan Hassan in fourth in 1:58.13 PB, and Laura Muir showing top fitness in fifth in PB 1:58.69. Lovisa Lundh, Sweden set NR of 1:58.77 NR with Lynsey Sharp showing a return to fitness in 1:58.80. Eight women under 1:59!
In her last throw, Sara Kolak woke up the javelin world with a NR, WL, MR throw of 68.43m, over coming Barbora Spotakova's seasonal best of 67.40m! In a PB, Kathryn Mitchell threw 66.12m !
Finally, the most amazing event was the high jump demonstration provided by Mariya Lasitskene, who cleared 1.90m, 1.93m, on first attempts, 1.96m on second attempt, 2.01 meters on first attempt, 2.06m on second attempt, and three healthy attempts at 2.10m. Mariya Lasitskene is, in my mind, only athlete who can challenge women's HJ at this time. Her domination and elegance over the bar, with 15 straight wins, shows how we are underestimating this fine athlete.