by Alfonz Juck
Usain Bolt, his first sub 10 second 100 meters at Monaco, photo from Monaco DL 5 WL, 3 MR and Bolt sub 10
MONACO (MON, Jul 21): It was a worthy 30th jubilee EBS Herculis at the sold out Louis II Stadium. Usain Bolt finally dipped sub 10 in his last one day meet race with a ceremony afterwards as he got a giant golden figure of Hercules. In total 5 World leads in distances confirmed Monaco track and air are the best for runners. Also 3 meet records were set in men 400 m, women high jump and 800 m (this one also DL record). Some top athletes were close to lose, but managed at the end to show their status. In the series now a break comes and last meet before the finals will be held on August 20 in Birmingham. In some events the list of qualifiers is confirmed. At the final banquet as top results were presented Manangoi´s 1500 m and Lasitskene high jump.
Men
100 m: Bolt won in his first sub 10 of the year 9.95 (+0.7) just 0.03 ahead of Young who will run 200 m in London. He said still some work is needed to be in World championships shape.
400 m: Van Niekerk needed to fight for this meet record (Michael Johnson from 1998) 43.73 (his fifth sub 44) with Makwala 43.84 and Thebe 44.26 not far away.
800 m (non-DL): NCAA Champ Korir debuted in DL in high style with 1:43.10 PB and WL but wanted a 1:42.
1500 m: Monaco is the 1500 m place, again confirmed with Manangoi 3:28.80 WL and PB, wants to go for gold in London. Cheruiyot also PB 3:29.10. F. Ingebrigtsen brave 3:32.48 as fourth.
Steeple: After Conseslus not running Jager beat all the other Kenyans clearly with 8:01.29 WL. He has a golden plan for London.
PV: Lisek with borrowed poles won with 582 (equaled outdoor PB), French elite did 572 together with Kudlicka, Barber and Marschall.
JT: Rohlers worst throw would be enough to win, this time very good 89.17 as best, Vetter only third behind Vadlejch.
4×100 m: USA 38.30 (with Coleman for first time in DL), Canada even worse with De Grasse not coming to finish so China won in 38.19.
Women
200 m: Ta Lou continues in wining, now with 22.25 (-0.2, 3rd best in her career)) over NCAA Champ Jefferson 22.42. Asher-Smith growing shape 3rd.
800 m: What a race, three national records, but Semenya despite DL record and NR 1:55.27 said she has in pocket a far faster race for the post Worlds time. Niyonsaba Burundi record 1:55.47, Wilson US record 1:55.61, Hassan PB 1:56.81 and Bishop NR 1:57.01.
3000 m: Obiri tried hard but missed the MR, still huge WL 8:23.14 with Chepkoech 8:28.66 big PB for steeple runner. Muir third outdoor PB and EL 8:31.39.
100mH: Great race from Nelvis 12.52, she got beaten by Harrison only very barely 12.51 (-0.2).
400mH (non-DL): Carter executed well and won clearly in 53.36.
HJ: Another showodown by Lasitskene, meet record 205, tried at 208, youngsters Levchenko (PB) and Cunninghm 197 behind.
TJ: Ibarguen came back in last round 14.86 (-0.5), Rojas second 14.83 (-0.4).
4×100 m: Great exchange between Bartoletta and Felix was the key for US win in fast 42.34.
