by Stuart Weir
Men’s 400h
No one who was privileged to be in Tokyo for the last Olympics will ever forget the consecutive late morning world records in the 400m hurdles. The Diamond League program often starts with the 400 m hurdles. Last weekend in Paris, Alison dos Santos won in 47.78 and could have gone faster had he been pushed. In Oslo, Dos Santos had beaten Warholm 46.63 to 46.70 earlier in the season. Dos Santos had also won in Stockholm.
A week later, he had all the company he could have asked for in Monte Carlo. Dos Santos ran faster than in Paris, 0.60 faster to finish in 47.18. He must have been scratching his head and asking himself how you can run 47.18 and come third!
Karsten Warholm, who set that men’s world record in Tokyo, was out fast – when is he not – eating up the ground to finish in 46.73. Fast, but not fast enough! It was Rai Benjamin who won the race in 46.67.
The comments of the three amigos on the race were:
Rai Benjamin: “I did not run the race I wanted to execute, but it was all about getting in and seeing what do I have in me. I did not run the home straight as strongly as usual, but that is okay as I won. I must still return home and prepare for the rest of the season. Paris is going to be madness. I have to win there. I believe I can do it. I will return home and try to get as sharp as possible”.
Alison Dos Santos: “I am really happy with the opportunity to be part of this clash of the best. It was great, and it is always exciting, we had a great time, so I am really excited about the next one. My coach and I were trying to work on the first part of the race. The beginning was aggressive and I also finished strong. We learned little things and know what to adjust to do better for the next one. No matter how healthy you are, no matter how fast you are running, you always need to show up. We are always giving 100%”.
Karsten Warholm: “That was a really close call. Coming from training, I feel fast, but other guys run fast, too. We will see what will happen next month. My coach and I have always been selective when choosing competing meetings. I ran at the European Championships this season, but running at the championships and at the one-day meetings is different. I will get more training in the following weeks and give my all to prepare as best as possible for the rest of the season”.
As Rai said, Paris will be madness – but madness in a nice way!
