by Larry Eder
EME NEWS (JUL 24, 2015)
Bolt is back: twice 9.87
LONDON (GBR, Jul 24): Persistent heavy rain made it difficult for the field eventers, with the pole vaulters suffering worst of all with their event being called off. But the action on the track was still blisteringly fast after the rain stopped. Usain Bolt announced his return with 9.87 in the heats and finals, leading four other men under ten. Hejnova also backed up her win in Paris with another strong victory, confirming her return. Farah set a WL in the 3000m with a fierce kick, thrilling the home fans. Meeting record breakers on the night were Stowers in the 100mH and the women US 4x100m team. In the men’s 110mH, former world champion Richardson finished first at a DL for the first time since 2013.
Event by event
Men
100m (non-DL): Bolt is on the way back, clocking 9.87 in wet conditions into a -1.2 in the heats, before winning the final an hour later in the same time, but with a lighter wind of -0.8 and worst starting reaction 0.173. Rodgers pushed him close in both rounds: 9.92 and then 9.90. 5 dipped under 10 in the final, Bailey-Cole (9.92 PB), Ujah (9.96=PB) and Vicaut (9.98) being the others. Bailey-Cole ran a PB but injured himself in the process.
200m: Hughes had the strength in the home straight, gradually pulling away to win in a PB of 20.05 (-1.4) and move to the head of the DR. Dukes followed with 20.14, while Jobodwana lost his DR lead by placing 3rd in 20.20.
3000m (non-DL): Farah took the lead with a km to go, Kipsang slipped back to the front on the second last lap, but Farah regained the lead at 500m, unleashing a fierce kick at 200m to win in a WL and PB of 7:34.66. El Goumri (7:36.71), Kipsang (7:37.05) also set PBs in finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. Lagat was 7th with 7:42.78 (missing his masters WR by 0.03).
110mH: It started with heats in very wet conditions; Ortega went fastest with 13.21 (-0.9) easing down. The final was held in much better conditions, but Ortega ran into trouble mid race. PML looked like he had it, but clipped the last hurdle and Richardson was there to take advantage, winning in 13.19 (-1.5) over PML (13.22), Ash (13.26), Merritt (13.32) and Ortega (13.32).
HJ: A DL win eludes Barshim again, in challenging conditions. Fassinotti managed best, clearing 231 first attempt before trying at a would-be Italian record 235 in much improved weather. Tamberi (228) made it an Italian 1-2, with Barshim clearing 228 for third.
PV (non-DL): Continuous heavy rain, and as a result, a very wet track; led to the pole vault being called off for safety reasons and moved for Saturday.
DT: Rain flooded the circle, halting the competition at one point, but Milanov still managed a good effort of 65.14 to take the win. Malachowski still holds the DR lead, but here was only 4th with 63.83, beaten also by Urbanek (64.47) and Harradine (63.98).
Women
400m (non-DL): Hastings won, with some room to spare, in 50.24. McCorory has been running a WL in every second race, after her WL in Monaco she was back to 50.67 for 2nd today. Behind them: McPherson (50.91) and Ohuruogu (51.00).
1500m (non-DL): Weightman led at the bell and although she came under great pressure, she held on to the lead to win in 4:06.09. Americans Grunewald (4:06.35) and Mackey (4:06.54) pushed her hard.
100mH (non-DL): Rollins got the best start but Stowers powered through to win clearly in a MR of 12.47, impressive with the wet conditions and -1.2 wind. Harper-Nelson (12.64) edged Rollins (12.65) for second, while Porter was also close with 12.67.
400mH: Hejnova makes it two DL wins on the trot, her first time to do that since the last world championships year. Moline gave her something to think about, but the Czech held strong to win in fast 53.99 over Moline (54.24 SB), Tate (54.36) and Child (54.48).
TJ: Rypakova left it late, reaching 14.33 (0.9) in round six to overtake Williams (14.15, 0.4) who also had her best mark in the final round. Veldakova recorded 13.66 (0.8) for third. Rypakova moves to second in the DR.
4x100m (non-DL): Richards Ross ran a very strong anchor to lead the USA team to a MR of 42.32. The Netherlands, aided by Schippers on the back straight, ran 42.69 to win the European battle over Great Britain’s 42.80.
