by Larry Eder
Even with the threat of rain, the first day of the AVIVA London GP was a continuing example of why the AVIVA London GP rates so high on the Samsung circuit. Friday had some simply exciting competitions.
Javier Culson and Dai Greene in the 400 meter hurdles lived up to the hype. Culson remains undefeated, and Greene continues to round into shape. GBR Jack Green scores a pb with his fourth, in 48.60.
Perri Shakes-Drayton is now a medal contender. Her 53.77 was a great run, and she really pushed her way through the last three hurdles, gaining the win.
A high level long jump with Mitchell Watt, Chris Tomlinson, and Godfrey Mokoeno, with three jumpers over 8.24m.
The 110m hurdles, with Aries Merritt running 12.93, WL equalling, shows that Merritt is rounding into shape for the London 2012 games. Jason Richardon, the WC from 2011 is not far off and Liu Xiang, who withdrew from the final with a sore back, will be there as well.
The Men’s 100 meters, where Tyson Gay ran 10.03, and Ryan Bailey at 10.09, was a strong race. Gay had good start, which is great start for him, and ran well through the finish. He is gaining more confidence and should be ready for the Olympics.
And finally, the crowd went nuts when Mo Farah ran 1:53.5 and 56.42 for the last 800m, 400m, respectively, in a 13:06.04 5,000 meters. Collis Birmingham improved his PB to 13:09 by trying to hold onto Mo. And Dathan Ritzenhein, recovered from the Oly Trials and running quite well, ran 13:15.
A great first day…
Merritt close to WR 12.93
LONDON (GBR, Jul 13): Despite early rain and wet track with changing winds two equaled world leads in hurdles (Culson and Merritt) highlighted the first day action of Aviva London Grand Prix in packed Crystal Palace at chilly evening. Tyson Gay without Asafa Powell dominated the 100 m final and British win for Mo Farah and personal bests by Andy Pozzi and Perri Shakes-Drayton (and increase of shape by Chris Tomlinson) confirmed how the host country is going to be prepared for the Games. Unbeaten in 2012 outdoors remained Farah at 5000 m, Culson at 400mH, Cheruiyot in the 5000 m and Watt in the long jump.
Event by event review
Men
100 m: Tyson Gay had a great finish and recorded second European win after Paris in 10.03 (-1.2). Ryan Bailey was also faster than Jamaicans in 10.09 and 10.06 in his heat (-1.5). Carter and Frater followed, out in heats Bledman and Chambers.
5000 m: Last 800 m in 1:54 and clear win for Mo Farah in 13:06.04. No Kenyan in top 3. Second Australian Birmingham 13:09.57 PB and third Kipsiro of Uganda 13:09.98.
110mH: Aries Merritt confirmed his world record shape in 12.93 (+0.6) meet record (and equaled his own WL) ahead of Richardson 13.06, Wilson 13.18 and Porter 13.32. Liu Xiang after winning his heat in 13.27 (0.0) was a non-starter in the final due to back problem and Andy Pozzi after getting 13.34 PB in heats did not finish after hurdles collision. Non-DL.
400mH: Javier Culson remains unbeaten in 2012 and equaled his WL from Paris 47.78. Greene was this time not that close as second 48.10 ahead of Taylor 48.43 and Green 48.60 PB. Unusual false start by Bershawn Jackson.
PV: Otto cleared as only one 574 and won, Lavillenie did not clear after 540 the next height of 556 and suffered his first loss of summer 2012.
LJ: Great depth here with Watt 828 (+1.0) over Tomlinson who was improving during the competition to 826 (+0.2) in the last round. Third Mokoena 824 (+1.7), fourth Caceres 816 (+2.1) and fifth Jegede 811 (+1.5) PB. Oly winner Saladino started the season with 787 (+0.6) as 6th.
DT: Kanter with 64.85 beat in rain old-timer Alekan (63.71) and home star Okoye (63.33).
Women
200 m: Charonda Williams surprise win in 22.75 (-0.5) over McLaughlin 22.81 and Knight 23.00. Oly medal contenders were not running.
1500 m: World Champ 2007 and 2009 Jamal is back with good win 4:06.78. World Champ 2011 Simpson with top finish second 4:07.76.
5000 m: Vivian Cheruiyot controlled the race in 14.48.26 over Mercy Cherono 14:49.26. She is unbeaten at this distance since August 13, 2010 when she lost the 5 k in London to Tirunesh Dibaba. Non-DL.
400mH: Perri Shakes-Drayton surprised everybody with 53.77 PB, also second best 2012 and UK All-Time. Russian Eurowinner Davydova first loss of the year 54.43 and Jamaicans well beaten (Spencer 55.08 and Walker 55.45). Non-DL.
HJ: Happy mother Lowe cleared as only one 2 metres in third and beat a classy field. Oly winner Hellebaut second 197, world champ Chicherova tied for 3rd with Eurowinner Beitia at 194.
STRACHAN 22.53 FAST 200 M
BARCELONA (ESP, Jul 13): Day four at World Junior Championships was highlighted by new meet record of Antonique Strachan from Bahamas 22.53 (+0.2, CAC junior record), getting her second gold after the 100 m. Other medals for US sprinters Oliva Ekpone and Dezerea Bryant both in 23.15. Strachan looks to be a new future star of women sprinting. Thrilling the boys 200 m with Jamaican Julian Forte alone ahead till last 75m when a little injury stopped his race from first to last place (8th in 21.00). In a sort of confusion Delano Williams of Turks and Caicos took the gold in 20.48 (national senior record, -0.4). As in the 100 m second place for US Aaron Ernest in 20.53 PB and third pre-race favorite Tyreek Hill 20.54 just ahead of Karol Zalewski of Poland 20.54 NJR. Another meet record in women 400 m from NCAA Champion Ashley Spencer in 50.50. Kadecia Baird from Guyana took the silver in 51.04 NJR and third US Erika Rucker 51.10 PB. Title defenderd Shaunae Miller was fourth (51.78). Men´s 400 m hurdles looked like to be a Japanese affair but down from last hurdle the sprint of US Eric Futch changed everything. He won in 50.24 WJL beating in last meter Takahiro Matsumoto second in 50.41 PB and Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh of Saudi Arabia third in 50.47 PB. Surprise javelin gold for Trinidad: Keshorn Walcott won with the last throw 78.64. Silver for Braian Toled of Argentina 77.09 while 76.29 gave the bronze for Morne Moolman of South Africa. With a windy jump of 681 (+2.5) Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Great Britain was the winner in the long jump. Second German Lena Malkus also windy 680 (+2.7, legal 647) and bronze for another Briton Jazmin Sawyers who had the best legal mark of the day 667 (+1.2, her only valid jump). The 224 height was enough for medals in boys high jump, on count back gold for Andrei Churyla from Belarus ahead of German Falk Wendrich (17) and Bahamian Ryan Ingraham. Last final of the day was heptathlon with 9 points between gold and silver. First place for Yorgelis Rodriguez from Cuba 5966 ahead of Hungarian Xenia Krizsan 5957 PB and third place for Brazilian Tamara DeSousa 5900 (South American junior record). In the morning 10 000 m walk Eider Arevalo of Colombia won in meet record 40:09.74. Three seconds back Russian Aleksandr Ivanov 40:12.90 PB and third Chinese Guanyu Su in 40:16.87 PB. Fast Conseslus Kipruto in steeple heats 8:19.46. Japan clocked in 4×100 m heats 39.01, while USA 39.25 and Great Britain 39.09 in third heat with 100 m winner Adam Gemili. Women fastest relay heat by USA 43.95.
POWELL DID NOT RUN
LONDON (GBR): Asafa Powell is not losing sleep over his fitness for the Olympic Games despite pulling out of this weekend’s Diamond League meeting in London to rest his injured groin, the Jamaican sprinter said on Friday. “I need to ensure I’m ready for the Games and cannot take any risks. I will be ready in August,” the former 100 metres world record holder said in a statement. “I’ve been carrying some soreness in my groin since the Olympic trials and have been unable to train at 100 per cent.” Reuters and other media are informing.
SATURDAY ACTION PEARSON, WOMEN 100 M AND MEN TRIPLE
LONDON (GBR): Second day of action at Aviva Grand Prix will have top women hurdles and men triple jump fields.
Event by event preview
Men
200 m: European duel Lemaitre vs. Martina, non-DL.
400 m: James is back to racing against him McQuay, Rooney, Wariner. Non-DL.
800 m: Kaki for fast time, behind him Kszczot and Osagie.
Mile: Silas Kiplagat fast, B. Lagat experienced, Manzano also there, what about Eurochamp Ingebrigtsen. Non-DL.
HJ: Grabarz the favorite, non-DL.
TJ: Idowu return after break, but world champ Taylor is also there. Italian Greco showed great shape recently.
SP: Hoffa vs. Majewski and Armstrong, great duel.
4×100 m: Great teams: Jamaica, UK, St.Kitts, Trinidad, France and Eurowinners Netherlands.
Women
100 m: Despite non-DL after heats it is expected that Fraser-Pryce, Jeter and Madison will fight for the top honour.
400 m: Montsho and home star Ohuruogu, last event of the day.
800 m: Jepkosgei looks here clear, non-DL.
100mH: Pearson wants to be again faster. But also Wells, Foster-Hylton running. Heats and final.
Steeple: Best on time is the home runner Parker. No armada of Kenyans and Ethiopians this time.
TJ: Saladuha and Ibarguen, what is the shape of Aldama, non-DL.
JT: Spotakova in revenge over Viljoen, also Eurowinner Rebryk there.
OTHER NEWS
BARCELONA (ESP): Over 1000 junior athletes were seen gathering at the IAAF Anti-
Doping Educational Outreach Programme carried at the Montjuic Olympic stadium in Barcelona over the course of the 6-day IAAF World Junior Championships. The IAAF once again presented an Athlete Outreach Programme in Barcelona aimed at informing and educating athletes on a wide range of anti-doping issues. Several hundreds of athletes and support personnel directly participated in what remains a hugely successful programme and collected information pamphlets during their visit to the stand in the stadium. IAAF Ambassador Wilson Kipketer supported the IAAF’s Outreach programme in Barcelona and is a valiant supporter of a drug-free sport.
ZURICH (SUI): Swiss sprinter Pascal Mancini was banned for two years. It was a special case because a doctor took the responsibility and said he did a mistake. But the disciplinary committee was against it and banned him for nandrolon for two years starting on January 30, 2012.
INDIANAPOLIS (USA): US media are informing that Debbie Dunn, who made the 2012 U.S. Olympic team in the pool of runners for the 4 x 400 m relay, tested positive for the likely presence of an anabolic steroid at the 2012 U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene. She is World Indoor 2010 Champion and was fourth at the trials with 50.78 season best. In a statement sent after the Tribune revealed the positive, Dunn said she was withdrawing from the Olympic team. She said the test revealed an elevated testosterone / epitestosterone level, which generally indicates testosterone, an anabolic steroid, has been added exogenously.
LONDON (GBR): With 14 days to go before the start of the London Olympic Games, Usain Bolt has a fresh and new looking website at www.usainbolt.com. Also he presents his new iPhone Game. It’s launching next week on the iTunes store. It’s free so make sure you download it and then let me know what you think.
BIRMINGHAM (USA): Birmingham has a bid to host the 2014 NCAA indoor track and field national championship, but Mayor William Bell’s senior aide said infighting over the city’s budget, including staffing for the Crossplex sports venue, imperils its chance of landing that event. According to the Birmingham News, the mayor’s chief of staff, Chuck Faush, said the city has a strong package to get the event. But Faush said the strength of that proposal hinges on Bell’s ability to hire more staff for the Crossplex, the city’s year-old sports complex at Fair Park, which is a point of contention as the mayor and City Council continue to wrangle over the fiscal 2013 budget.
ROCHESTER (USA): Whec.com informs that all local eyes will be on Riga pole vaulter Jenn Suhr as she goes for gold in London. Jenn Suhr and her husband and coach, Rick Suhr, leave for London in two weeks. Suhr enters the London games as the number one female pole vaulter in the world. She’s healthy, excited and ready to go for gold. Suhr said, “I’m excited, when I was in the 2008 Olympics, I didn’t know what to expect. I know what’s out there and I’m going to be prepared for this one.” The Suhrs have learned how to creatively compete injured.
ATHENS (GRE): Javelin thrower Yervasios Filippidis from Greece is provisionally suspended by Greek athletics federation SEGAS. He had positive result of an out of competition test, more details are not known. His this years best is 79.82, he was out in qualification at European Championships in Helsinki.
BARCELONA (ESP): Hurdles winner Yordan O’Farrill’s run in the 110m hurdles at the World Junior Championships speaks for itself and he has an Irish grandfather.
RESULTS
CHULA VISTA (USA, Jul 12): Brad Walker cleared 590 in the pole vault, his season best.
YANTAI (CHN, Jul 13): First day of Chinese Youth Championships had Xu Zhouzheng clocked 10.36 (+0.7) in the 100 m. New Asian record in girls shot put (3 kg) as Guo Tianqin got 18.83 m. From Tilastopaja.
