by Stuart WeirBrits in Zurich
Nine British athletes took a final opportunity for an outing before Tokyo in the Diamond League Final in Zurich. The majority of the team head to Japan for a preparation camp on Monday. The first good news from Zurich was that there was no issue with the weather. The women’s pole vault, scheduled for the stadium on day 2 had been brought forward to Wednesday, as a street event, with heavy rain forecast. In the event the rain bypassed Zurich.
There were two excellent performances in the 800s. Georgia Hunter Bell, who in the end opted to run the 800 in Tokyo having considered doubling, finished second in Zurich in a 1:55.96 PR with Audrey Werro winning in 1:55.91. On the decision not to double up on Tokyo, she explained that while the schedule made the double doable, that the hotel was half an hour away from the stadium would have meant a lot of travelling time to do rounds in two events. She added, “By the time I got through the 1500m final I probably wouldn’t sleep that night because it’s at 10pm. I’d probably survive the first round of the 800m but I’d be dead meat going into that semi-final where it is only top two to qualify. “A massive part of my heart is in the 1500 so I will miss that and it will be hard to watch the 1500 in Tokyo”. She added that she expected to run both 800 and 1500 regularly next year. Her time leaves her third on the UK all-time list, behind Keely Hodgkinson and Jemma Reekie.
Max Burgin also finished second in his 800 in 1:42.42 behind Emmanuel Wanyoni and was delighted: “To be able to race at this kind of level was amazing. It means that I can medal at world level. The decisive moment was on the last 50m. I need to wait. It’s about learning how best to utilise the kick at the end in these sort of races. Today was a bit of a world championships field, like a test. I am dreaming of being at the exact same position at the worlds”.
Amber Anning, ran a season’s best 49.75 for fifth in the 400, commenting: “There’s work to do, but again, I feel this is a good last race before we start preparing for Tokyo. It’s at a good time as well. So I’m very happy. I’m healthy. I feel good”.
Dina Asher Smith was the busiest GB athlete coming fourth in the 100m in 10.94 and second in the 200 in 22.18, very solid performances at just the right time. Dina. who has parted company with her American coach and relocated to London, commented: “It was good. I was a little bit disappointed with my 10.94. I think my first 20m could have been a bit sharper. The 200 was great. I was really happy to have put that performance out there after running the 100. It was a really strong double from me, so I’m really happy. I’m in a good place. I had some changes, but I’m just proud that we’ve managed to execute well. I’m in a great spot going into the World Championships and I’m really excited”.
Amy Hunt, who will also run the 100, 200 and relay in Tokyo was fifth in the 200 in 22.61gave her reaction: “Mixed feelings. I came into this race with a very clear plan, which of course is always to win the race. Being in lane 8, I wanted to get out and not see anyone for as long as possible”. Hunt, who is running 100, 200 and relay in Tokyo added: “I’m gonna be very busy being in Tokyo with only a couple of days off, but I’m 23 so why not do as many things as possible? It’s the first chance to really try the double and then get two or three more years to get used to it before LA”.
Jeremiah Azu, the world indoor 60m champion, who has not quite managed to transfer his indoor form outside, was fourth in the 100m in 10.03. Azu, who only got confirmation of his selection for Tokyo this week, said “I’m feeling good. It was fun out there, which is important. I like to have fun. I always run quicker”.
George Mills who led at the bell was run out of the men’s 3000 on the final lap, finishing seventh in 7:38.71. Mills had surgery on a wrist five weeks ago and also only got the invite to Zurich on Monday. “I couldn’t say no, but I was still in full training. The race will help my preparation for Tokyo”.
Hannah Nuttall was eighth in the 3000 in 8:44.74, commenting: “It wasn’t what I expected, I thought would be a lot quicker and it turned into a bit of a tactical race. It was it was good experience. I just wanted to get a race in before Tokyo”.
Alistair Chalmers finished seventh in the 400h in 48.88, having just got the invitation two days ago. He said: “It’s a dream come true to be out there with some of the greats with a beautiful crowd out there. This is what I’ve always dreamed of and all athletes dream of, being on this circuit and running against the best. Running from lane 8, this one is the best I’ve ever done. So really proud of how I’ve developed.”
In a wheelchair 1500m, Nathan Maguire was second in 2:56.93 behind local legend, Marcel Hug.
Video interviews with several GB athletes are available at AW (@AthleticsWeekly) / X
