Updated May 18, 2016
Jeff Shaver is a long time contributor to American Athletics, American Track & Field and RunBlogRun. Sometimes, you might not see a piece from Mr. Shaver for a year or two, but they are always memorable.
I believe his first was about 1994-95, where he provided a wonderful piece on the SuperToto Meetings, and provided us a first hand experience of sitting in a Toto toilet that did everything for the inhabitant but tie said person’s shoes. I believe Mr. Shaver may have felt violated after said experience, but his article was priceless.
There is the rumor that Mr. Shaver possesses a picture of me, asleep in Beijing, with perhaps sixty Heineken bottles around me. While it is a picture of me, I did not consume all of said beverages of an adult nature. Mr. Shaver was able to join me in the Bird’s Nest Stadium nearly every night of track & field in Beijing 2008. He was good company and also his sense of humor was helpful in our long days and nights in said stadium.
A special thanks to Mr. Shaver and his sardonic wit, plus his photography skills.
I am fortunate to be able to call him also a friend.
And finally, special thanks to Global Sports Consulting’s team and Jos Hermans for their kean support of our coverage of the meeting.
The author watching the men’s 5000m with the eyes in the back of his head. (Photo by Yan Yuzong)
2016 IAAF Diamond League Shanghai May 14, 2016
By RunBlogRun guest correspondent Jeff Shaver
The 6th edition of this meet took place under spectacular weather conditions, mid-60s, windless, and a very low (for Shanghai) PM 2.5 particle count. A near capacity crowd, save the blocked off upper deck, was treated to several world leading marks as well as one local winner. Even though the track is a good distance from the front row seats, the fans still got into the spirit of cheering the event winners on their victory laps.
First row seats far from track (Photo by Jeff Shaver) Meet Highlight included:
Justin Gatlin giving a thumbs-up on his happy victory lap (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Men’s 100M: A runaway win for Justin Gatlin in a pedestrian (for him) 9.94 seconds.
Men’s 800M: A premature starters pistol left Kenya’s world record holder David Rudisha in an unhappy 5th place (1:46.24). The race was won by Ferguson Rotich of Kenya in 1:45.68. Nick Symmonds shook off some early season rust with a near-DFL 1:48.39. When asked by this author why he had covered up his bicep tattoos, he smiled and replied “because I have to”.
Men’s 5000M: What do you get when you throw 16 Africans and one Chinese into a DL 5000? Well Bujie Duo from China ended up DFL in a fast race that came down to a pack of five, with three teenagers in the mix, battling it out over the last 200m. Muktar Edris of Ethiopia won in a world leading and meet record time of 12:59.96, making a strong statement for Olympic team selection.
Imane Merga (left) and Yomif Kejelcha (right) providing evidence that Ethiopian distance runners do indeed remove their shoes one foot at a time. (Photos by Jeff Shaver)
The author watching the men’s 5000m with the eyes in the back of his head. (Photo by Yan Yuzong)
Men’s 110M Hurdles: Jamaica’s Omar McLeod won in a world leading time of 12.98 after two delays due to false start DQs – first by Spain’s Orlando Ortega and then by on- the-mend world record holder Aries Merritt of USA.
Men’s Long Jump: This event produced China’s lone DL champion with Xinlong Gao winning on the countback over South Africa’s Rushwal Sumaii in 8.14m (26’8-1/4″).
Men’s Pole Vault: Despite being held at the far end zone near the steeplechase water jump, a rowdy set of fan’s cheered USA’s Sam Kendricks to victory over world record holder Renaud Lavillenie at 5.88m (19’3-1/4″) to 5.83m (19′ 1-1/2″)
World record holder Renaud Lavillenie discussing strategy with his coach between vaults. (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Women’s 1500m: Faith Kipyegon made an early Olympic year statement by running away from a strong field on the homestretch to win by over 2.5 seconds. Her time of 3:56.82 was a world leading mark, a Kenyan national record, and a Shanghai DL meet record. USA’s Jenny Simpson ran a never-in-the-mix 4:04.56 for 6th place overall (2nd place amongst the chase pack).
Women’s 1500m starting line with Jenny Simpson on the far left and Faith Kipyegon 4th from the right. (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Women’s 3000m Steeplechase: Entering the final straight, it looked like the 2-Kenyan- born woman battle was going to be tight until Ruth Jebet, now of Bahrain, got tired and tripped on the rail. She ended up 2nd in 9:15.98 with Hyvin Kiyeng winning in a world leading 9:07.42 (also a meet record).
Ruth Jebet leading the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase. (Photo by Jeff Shaver)
Women’s Discus: Sandra Perkovic of Croatia got the meet off to an exciting start with a world leading, meet record, and Diamond League record sling of 70.88m (232’6″).
