by Alfonz Juck
Caster Semenya, photo by PhotoRun.net
Semenya 1:55.33, Tamberi 239
MONACO (MON, Jul 15): The Monegasque Athletics Federation, after concerting with its President, H.S.H. Prince Albert II, has taken the decision to uphold the Herculis meeting. This evening’s programme was kept strictly to the sporting events with no festivities. A tribute was done to all the innocent victims of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. The top result of the meet was the World lead, Diamond League record, meet record and national record 1:55.33 by Caster Semenya. Also 7 European leads 2016 have been set. Gianmarco Tamberi was the emotional hero of the evening.
Event by event
Men
400 m: On his 24th birthday World champ van Niekerk was the man to beat in easy looking 44.12. Interesting PB´s for Caribbeans Cedenio 44.34 and Taplin 44.38.
800 m (non-DL): In close finish young Alfred Kipketer in 1:44.47 beat Poland stars Kszczot 1:44.49 EL and Lewandowski 1:44.59.
1500 m: This was not Kiprop´s race (6th 3:32.03) nor Farah´s (5th in 3:31.74 EL). Kwemoi over Manangoi (3:30.49 and 3:31.19) was the Kenyan solution of the day. Revenge for Holusa 3:33.36 NR over Amsterdam medalists.
SC: Conseslus had no problems 8:08.11 despite Kipsiele who ran his fastest of 2016 8:08.32.
110mH: First loss of the season for McLeod who crashed after last hurdle, winning Ortega 13.04 (0.0) NR and EL over Bascou 13.12 PB and Martinot-Lagarde 13.17 SB.
HJ: What an emotional evening for Tamberi. First he cleared in 3rd attempt 239 new NR and EL and then unfortunately injured in second attempt at 241. Bondarenko was with him after clearing 237. WL holder Barshim tied for 4th (231).
LJ: Jamaican champ Forbes with 823 (+1.5) over Lapierre 821 (+1.3).
DT: No problem for Malachowski 65.57, some 2.70 m over the rest of the field.
Women
100 m: Solo for Amsterdam heroine Schippers 10.94 (-0.5). VCB second 11.12, Bartoletta despite sub 10.8 at US Trials was not a factor (5th 11.21).
800 m: The race of the day. Semenya has the real potential to come close to Kratochvilova´s all-time mark. Here her best ever 1:55.33 with Niyonsaba 1:56.24 record for Burundi and initially third for Wambui 1:56.64 PB but she was later dq for lane infringement. Also Sum 1:57.47 SB, Ludlow 1:57.68 PB and Sharp 1:57.75 EL.
3000 m: Obiri topped Kenyan situation in excellent 8:24.27 over Cherono 8:27.25 and Kisa 8:28.33 PB. Fourth Grovdal 8:39.47 EL.
400mH: Doyle dominated in PB and EL 54.09. Second Tate 54.63 and third Eurowinner Petersen 54.81. Last Rio bound Spencer 56.46.
PV: Stefanidi shows she can think about 5 m. Here she won with 481 (and tried at 493) over Silva 471.
TJ: Ibarguen back to winning ways, 14.96 in last attempt.
SP: Adams got her best of 2016 20.05 and beat Eurowinner Schwanitz 19.81. US trials winner Carter third 19.58.
JT: Belarus Khaladovich scored another top win after Amsterdam with 65.62 over Mitchell 63.80 and Spotakova 63.34.
