by Stuart Weir
How does one see the world post world record? Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia), went 3:53.09 at 1,500m last night, photo by Maxime Delobel
Javianne Oliver, who the won the 60m in 7.10, photo by Maxime Delobel
This is the Stuart Weir’s piece 1/3, on the amazing Meeting Lieven! This piece is on the women’s events.
The Meeting Liévin – some women’s highlights
Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay produced the highlight of the evening by taking two seconds off the world indoor 1500m record, running 3:53.09. As the pacemaker led the field through 400m in 58.97 and 800m in 2:05.94, one wondered if the race had gone off too fast but Tsegay held her position to claim the world record. “I’m very happy to set a world indoor record,” said Tsegay. “I have been training really hard and I set myself a target to break the world indoor record.”
Lemlem Hailu was the surprise winner of the 300m leaving Sifan Hassan and Beatrice Chepkoach in her wake with a blistering last lap.
The women’s sprint hurdles was a magnificent race with Nadine Visser awarded first place after a lengthy wait with Nooralotta Neziri second and Christina Clemons third but all three were timed at 7.91.
Javianne Oliver won the 60m in 7.10. She commented afterwards: “I’m delighted that I executed the race well from beginning to end”. Oliver also dealt adroitly with the silliest question of the night. The stadium interviewer said. “You were US indoor champion in 2018 [I imagine she knew that]. Would you like to win it again?”
Winfred Yavi ran a world best of 5:45.09 in the rarely run 2000 metres steeplechase. Auriol Dongmo won the shot but in the time-honored way with throws, the meet made sure that it was finished before the TV coverage began.
I loved Li̩vin last year and was sad to have to made do with watching on TV Рwithout the wonderful selection of French cheeses and Tarte aux pommes which sustained the media last year.
Women’s winners
60m Javianne Oliver (USA) 7.10
60m hurdles Nadine Visser (Netherlands) 7.91
800m Jemma Reekie (GB) 2:00.64
800m B race Joanna Jozwik (Poland) 2:02.97
1500m Gudaf Tsegay (Ethiopia) 3:53.09
3000m Lemlem Hailu (Ethiopia) 8:32.55
2000 Steeple Winfred Yavi (Bahrain) 5:45.09
Shot Auriol Dongmo (Portugal) 19.18
Pole Vault Holly Bradshaw (GB) 4:73
