by Larry Eder
The Weltklasse is one of the finest meets in the world. Americans have been competing there since the first year of the meet.
Americans have been coming to meets since the end of World War 2.
The Zurich DL had rain, which challenged all of the events of the evening. The crowd sold out, was entertained in the Letzigrund Stadium as the
magic of the Weltklasse continues each and every year. 2024 was no exception.
This year was the same as past years, with some fun and exciting performances!
In the 200 meters, Kenny Bednarek, USA (Olympic silver medalist), battled Letsile Tebogo to the very last step, with the man from Motswana
winning in 19.55. Kenny Bednarek ran his PB over the furlong in 19.57! Erriyon Knighton, USA, finished third in 19.57, with Fred Kerley, USA, Olympic bronze medalist at the 100m, running his seasonal best at 200m in 19.81. Courtney Lindsey, USA, was sixth in 20.17.
In the final event of the night, Yared Nuguse followed Jakob Ingebrigtsen, NOR, closely and took the lead in the final 100 meters, winning in
3:29:21. Jakob Ingebrigtsen, NOR was second in 3:29.52. Cole Hocker, USA, the Olympic champion, took third in 3:30.46.
In the Men’s 3,000 meters, Jacob Kirop, KEN, won the race in 7:34.80. Woody Kincaid, USA, was fifth in 7:42.75.
In the Men’s 110m hurdles, Olympic champion Grant Holloway, USA, won 12.99. Freddie Crittenden, USA, was third in 13.15. Daniel Roberts, USA, was an Olympic silver medalist, finished fifth in 13.18. Cordell Tinch, USA, was seventh in 13.31!
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Roshawn Clarke won the race in 47.49! CJ Allen, USA, was fifth in 48.20.
The Men’s pole vault was won by Mondo Duplantis, who settled for the win at 5.82m. Mondo was too tired, after the 100 meters on
Wednesday night against Karsten Warholm over 100 meters.
Mondo Duplantis, SWE won at 5.82m. Sam Kendricks, USA, took second in 5.82m, losing to Duplantis because of one more miss. Chris Nielsen, USA, was 4th in 5.62m. Renaud Lavillenie, former WR holder, FRA, was seventh in 5.42m.
Marquis Dendy, USA, was seventh in the Men’s long jump in 7.79m.
In the Men’s shot put, Ryan Crouser returned to his winning ways, throwing six throws over 22 meters, with his best in 22.66m. Payton Otterdahl, USA, was third in 21.38m. Joe Kovacs, USA, was 4th in 20.90m. Roger Steen, USA, 20.44m, was seventh.
In the women’s 100m, Sha’Carri Richardson, USA, won in 10.84. Julien Alfred was second in 10.88. Tamari Davis was fifth in 11.06.
In the women’s 5,000m, won by Beatrice Chebet, KEN, in 14:09.52 WL. Karissa Schweizer, USA, was foruth in 14;47.05. Elise Cranny, USA, was 8th in 14:54.33. Whittni Morgan, USA, was ninth in 14:54.89.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, PUR, in 12.36. Masai Russell, USA, the Olympic champion, was third in 12.47.
Grace Stark, USA, was 4th in 12.49. Kenni Harrison, USA, was seventh in 12.57.
In the Women’s 400m hurdles, Shiann Salmon upset Anna Cockrell, Olympic silver medalist, in 52.97-53.17. Shamier Little, USA, was third in 54.07.
In the women’s pole vault, held at the historic Zurich Train Station, Nina Kennedy, Olympic champion, continues her domination with a fine 4.87m win, and Katie Moon, USA, Olympic champion in 2021, Olympic silver in 2024, was third in 4.82m, and Sandi Morris, three-time World Champ medalist (2 times silver and one-time bronze), and 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist, finished fifth in 4.67m.
This was the final Diamond League meet of the season. The Diamond League finals will be on 13-14 September 2024 at the Allianz Ivo Van Damme Memorial.
