The Nike Pre Classic returned to Eugene after three years! In a stadium built for athletics, the athletes performed and the fans rejoiced.
This is the EME News update on the 2021 Nike Pre Classic.
Men’s 800m, Nike Pre Classic, photo by Diamond League AG
Norah Neruto takes steeplechase in MR, photo by Diamond League AG
Elaine is supersonic 10.54, but there was much more at Pre
EUGENE (USA, Aug 21): The 46th edition of Prefontaine Classic for the first time at renewed and modern Hayward Field before a nice amount of spectators showed that Tokyo stars were not tired. Quite the opposite with excellent results from Thompson-Herah, Mu, Ingebrigtsen or Crouser. In Saturday summary 3 DL records, 6 World leads, and 8 meeting records. But above all the 10.54 in women 100 m.
Short reviews
Men
100 m: Olympic winner De Grasse lost his 200 WL earlier but dominated the windy 100 in 9.74 (+2.9) over Kerley 9.78 and Baker 9.82. Bromell back to good times 9.86 over quartermiler Norman 9.86 and nearly 40 years old Gatlin 9.93.
200 m: World champion Lyles was flying in 19.52 (+1.5) WL and MR. Bednarek in 19.80 took his younger brother Josephus to 20.03 PB. Respect for hurdler Benjamin 20.16 as fifth.
800 m: Another Tokyo revenge, here Arop after great judgment in final stages in 1:44.51 beat 1-2 Kenyans from Olympics.
Bowerman Mile: Jakob Ingebrigtsen fulfilled expectations with 3:47.24 DLR, MR and WL including NR and European U23 record (3:31.92 1500 split). Only Steve Cram is now better from Europeans all-time, WA president was moved to 3rd on European all-time with 3:47.33 from 1981. McSweyn missed his Oceanian record from Oslo by 0.03. Cheruiyot distant third.
Two Miles: Cheptegei´s revenge over Barega after Tokyo 10 km. In 8:09.55 WL (7:40.98 3000 split) over 8:09.82 (7:41.11). In close finish another Olympic medalist Chelimo third 8:09.83 (7:41.90).
TJ: Pichardo ruled with 17.24 first round and 17.63 final round. Zango edged Scott for 2nd.
SP: King of circles Crouser got third best ever 23.15, also DLR, MR. Romani in final 3 was better than Kovacs and other olympic medalist Walsh was fourth.
Women
100 m: Elaine proved who is the fastest woman alive. Her 10.54 (+0.9) looks like the real World record. Jamaicans repeated Tokyo podium with Shelly-Ann second 10.73 and Shericka third 10.76. Richardson was not a factor in 11.14 as 9th.
200 m: No Swiss record for Kambundji but still unusual European 200 m DL win in 22.06 (+2.4) over Oly medalist Thomas 22.11 and World champ Asher-Smith 22.19.
800 m: The superb talent of still U20 Athing Mu was proved again with another US and meet record 1:55.04. With better pacing she can come really close to the legendary Kratochvilova mark. Grace 1:57.60 and Goule 1:57.71 beat the other Tokyo medalists.
1500 m: Kipyegon went fast and had top splits for even a WR, but at the end new MR 3:53.23 with Hall second 3:59.73. Muir faded to 12th.
400mH: Muhammad got the MR 52.77 and showed she will be tough to beat later in Europe. Little despite mistakes 2nd and Woodruff South American record 54.20.
Steeple: Jeruto who hopes to run for Kazakhstan and was not in Tokyo won in third best ever 8:53.65, also MR and WL. Frerichs behind her great US record 8:57.77. Oly winner Chemutai only 7th.
HJ: Sixth round of jump-off decided as Herashchenko cleared 194 and Cunningham not. Their top mark of the day was 198. Oly winner Thiam did not compete due to neck problem.
PV: Nageotte confirmed with 482 clearance number one position, but it was close because until then she was behind Bradshaw 472. Oly winner 16 Stefanidi no-heighted at 452.
