by Stuart Weir
This is Stuart Weir’s second piece on the Bauhaus Stockholm Diamond League meeting, held June 30, 2022. It is the last Diamond League meeting prior to the World Championships, which appears July 15-24, 2022.
Brits in Stockholm
There was a strong British presence and two winners in the Bauhaus Stockholm Diamond League. Lorraine Ugen won the women’s long jump with 6.81, with four women in the 6.70s. It was not a totally convincing performance by Ugen with two jumps in the 6.40s and three fouls. But Ugen who won the GB champs last weekend with 6.79 and who took bronze at the 2022 World Indoors with 6.82 commented: “I did leave it late today with my fifth jump but that tends to be my way. I do best as I build the pressure on myself as the competition builds. I need to know it is now or never almost. I did not feel any extra pressure on the final jump as I was in the lead although going first is hard. I am going to get some good training in now before the Worlds and I really think I can get on the podium there. It is great to be going on the back of this win”.
Dina Asher-Smith won the 200m by the smallest of margins from Mujinga Kambundji with both stopping the clock at 22.37 with Asher-Smith given the verdict by 3 thousands of a second. Asher-Smith had to be helped from the track afterward.
Keely Hodgkinson finished second in 1:58,28 behind the Kenyan, Mary Moraa (1:57.68). Hodkinson commented: “The race was a bit messy and I obviously don’t like losing but it is all good experience. I got a bit boxed in on the back straight but that´s 800m racing for you. I got out of trouble but couldn’t quite get it together today. Mary got the better of me today. I did come here on the back of racing at the weekend but that is good practice for the Champs with all the rounds”.
Reece Prescod, who was second in the 100m in 10.15, commented: “It was hard after a big weekend at the British Champs in my legs. I have done a lot of races over the last few months so I need to rest up now and get ready for the worlds. The conditions were good today and the stadium atmosphere was great but I was tired”.
Jessie Knight, named in the GB team for Oregon after winning the trials, was seventh in the 400m hurdles in 54.89.
It has been a roller-coaster week for Chris McAllister, who came to Stockholm to run the B race, not selected for Oregon. By Thursday, he had been added to the GB team and promoted to the A race. He finished seventh in 49.76.
Jazmin Sawyers, had a disappointing evening, finishing eighth at 6.39m. The good news is that she has been added to the GB team for the Worlds.
Lawrence Okoye was sixth in the discus with 63.34.
There were several good performances in the non-Diamond events,
Ben Pattison, who won the national 800m in 1:45.26, commented: “I really wanted to bounce back as I felt I let myself down at the weekend (British Champs). I settled in behind the pacer although he was a little slow but I relaxed on the back straight and then pushed it from 500m. I didn’t want to do any damage as it was a bit windy again so I knew it wouldn’t be too fast but I pushed again to take it comfortably”.
Jacob Paul won the national 400h race on 49.8, explaining: “My main aim was to get out strong and I felt I did that but I need to run the bend harder. I committed early and now I need to get that time down by staying in the race longer. My big goal is the European Championships and I feel I can do really well there but I need to get that qualifying time first. I am getting consistent around 49.6-49.8. I just need the right race”
Ama Pipi was third in the 400m in 51.80. She said: “It was better today than the trials and another good race experience. I need more races but that is it now until Oregon and I am looking forward to the camp to focus on a few race details. Today was a great experience prior to Oregon in a big stadium with a good crowd”.
Matthew Stonier was second in the 1500m in 3:36.60. His comments were: “This is best atmosphere, biggest stadium, and most prestigious event I have competed at so far so it was amazing out there. I pushed to the end and only got pipped on the line. Eight weeks ago I never thought I’d be here at all. It has been such a rollercoaster since I won the Emsley Carr mile. I am excited for the Commonwealth Games now”.
Ellie Baker, who was not named in the first batch of athletes for the World Championship, but has been provisionally added to the team, finished fifth in the 1500m in 4:08.63. She commented: “I have had an emotional few days and also physically drained from last weekend but I really wanted to chase that European standard to keep my options open. But I think in the end my legs weren’t there. I am still waiting to hear once other federations declare regarding Oregon but I was focussed out there and gave it my best”. [She needs a few athletes who are named for the 800 and 1500 to withdraw from the 800 to leave her in the top 32].
Reynold Banigo was seventh in the long jump with 7.63m.
