Katie Nageotte won the PV at 4.84m, in a count back over Sandi Morris, Doha DL, May 28, 2021, photo by Diamond League AG
This is Stuart Weir’s deep thoughts on the Doha DL, the second Diamond League meeting in 2021. Some big performances in Doha last night.
Kenny Bednarek takes the 200m over Andre De Grasse, Doha DL, May 28, 2021, photo by Diamond League AG
Faith Kipyogen just does it again, Doha DL, May 28, 2021, photo by Diamond League AG
Seven things that caught my eye
- An absorbing women’s pole-vault competition with Katie Nageotte winning on countback from Sandi Morris on 4.84. They are just two of the nicest people in our sport. Katarina Stefanidi was fourth on 4.74 but she failed with six of nine attempts. Remember when she was invincible.
- What an amazingly talented athlete Faith Kipyegon is. 2016 Olympic and 2017 World 1500m champion has a baby, returns to World Championships in 2019, and runs a PR for a medal. Then in 2020 and now 2021 she starts running silly times at 800m for fun. She said of the 2021 Doha race: “I’m very excited to be here, I did my personal best here in Doha, so it’s really, really great to be here. I’m training so hard and hoping to do my best, so I’m putting all my mind into it. The pandemic wasn’t easy but we always try to be great”.
- What an honest athlete Natoya Goule is. Her post-race comment was: “I could have won, I should do better.”
- In the triple jump, both Kimberly Williams (14.69) and Shanieka Ricketts (14.98) jumped PRs. Ricketts jumped further than Williams so of course, Williams was second and Ricketts third. Apparently at the end of the year World Athletics is going to ask everyone if giving first place to someone who doesn’t jump furthest is a good idea. I think most of us could tell them now that it isn’t!
- Timothy Cheruiyot is still the man to best in the 1500m
- Armin Sinancevic threw furthest in the shot put (21.88), broke the Serbian record. And, of course, he was awarded third place for his efforts. I understand the desire for a final round shoot-out but award a cash prize for it. Don’t destroy the integrity of the competition. What will be next? How about a 1500m race where the runners stop after 1400 meters and the top three start together and sprint 100 meters to decide the winner.
- Rai Benjamin and Michael Norman looked good.
