by Stuart Weir
This is Stuart Weir’s first piece on the Silesia Dl, held in Chorzow, Poland, on August 25, 2024.
Silesian Highlights
The Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland, is a magnificent stadium with a capacity 50,000. I have only been there for the European Team Championship, which attracted a tiny crowd. It is a challenging city to reach, with the nearest international airport, Krakow, over 50 miles away. It did not help my mood that my flight was delayed, that my pre-booked taxi gave up, that an airport taxi charged double the price of the pre-booked taxi, and that the taxi could not find my hotel! My arrival at the 2023 European Team Champs in Chorzow was smooth. The stadium and atmosphere at the 2024 Diamond League looked magnificent, and the quality of the action did not disappoint.
Two world records were the highlights, but it was a high-quality program from beginning to end. A 6.26 vault by Mondo Duplantis added 1cm to his existing world record. He said afterward: “It almost feels weird and unnatural to get so much love and support from the crowds when I compete. I see that, especially in Poland. The energy in this stadium just keeps getting better every year. My first world record also came in Poland, indoors in Torun, so I have great memories. The track here is wonderful; the conditions today were perfect, and everything allowed me to do this. I know many people came here to see me jump, so I wanted to put in a good showing for them”.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen also set a new world record – in the 3000m – 7:17.55. I know it is not a championship distance, but Jakob’s ability to produce world-class race after race at whatever distance is remarkable.
Joe Kovacs inflicted a rare defeat on Ryan Crouser in shots 22.14 to 22.12. I once asked Joe about being coached by his wife. He assured me it worked well – “I just do what my wife tells me. It makes my life easier”. He won’t make a lot of money, though, as Joe also told me there is a tradition among shot-putters that they all go out for a kebab afterward, and the winner pays!
Gianmarco Tamberi won the high jump with 2.31 and interacted with the crowd as only he could. What a shame he was not fully fit for Paris.
Femke Bol won the 400h and Marileidy Paulino the 400 flat. Soufliane El Bakkali won the steeplechase from Amos Serem but with both finishing in 8:04.29. Marco Arop won the 800 in 1:41.86 from Emmanual Wanyonyi.
