This Stuart Weir’s second story for the Paris Diamond League, which was held on June 20, 2025.
Brits in Paris
The stand-out British performance in the Meeting de Paris was George Mills 3:28.36 over 1500m to go second on the UK all-time list – only Josh Kerr has now gone quicker in British history. This came just eight days after Mills set a British 5000m record. He told me afterwards: “I’m a bit shocked! I didn’t expect to go that quick today, to be honest. I know I’m fit, well 5K fit, but I haven’t really done so much 1500 meter stuff this year. What can I say? After Oslo I had a tough run out in Stockholm a few days ago, part of a championships simulation, but had a good five days to recover. I turned on my brain and ran. You do not need motivation when you have discipline. This is what I love to do. I just wanted to come out here and show what I could do, to myself, and to everyone else”. I am quite tired after 3 events in nine days and I wasn’t running. I can’t imagine what George feels like.
There were two British athletes in the 200m, Amy Hunt second in 22.45 and Dina Asher-Smith sixth in 22.81. Hunt who was 0.03 off her PR said afterwards: “I crossed the line, I was so determined to run a personal best, but it’s okay, we got the qualifying standard for the Worlds. We knew that the race was World Championships semi-final level, so our goal was just to finish in the top 2. There is so much more in there but I was able to put a few more things together. We are building and building, every race is just going better and better. This game is all about the mental, that’s when magic happens. Today I beat a lot of people higher up in the rankings which shows that I am competitive in the head-to-heads. It’s the first time I have ever beaten Dina, who is such an incredible person.”
There were two British athletes in the women’s 1500 with Georgia Hunter-Bell sixth in 3:58.06 and Jemma Reekie 11th in 3:59.42. It says a lot about women’s middle distance that 11 ladies go sub 4 in a routine race. Jemma, who is more an 800 thana 1500 runner told me: “It’s hard getting out there amongst those 1500 girls and finding my place, but I think I raced quite well. I missed a bit of a jump and had to do some work early on, which I think probably hurt me more on the last lap, but it’s really good to get out there and mix it up. I’m just learning to race 1500s and learning tactics and learning for myself enjoying it. My coach tells me the 1500 will help my 800s. So yeah, we’re doing a few more 1500s this season, and I think I can go faster”.
Alistair Chalmers was fifth in the 400 hurdles in 48.57, won by Rai Benjamin. He said afterwards: “Really good. I mean, I’ve been racing every week pretty much, so I’m really happy with that. 48.57 is absolutely great. I mean, I’m wrapping up 48 mids here and I haven’t trained for about a month. I’m in a really strong position, mixing it with the best. This is the level I want to be at. It’s a dream come true racing the Olympic champion. I feel like I’m as good as these guys and really happy and grateful that I’m in this position”.
Max Burgin was fourth in the 800 in 1:43.61 and Amber Anning fifth in 49.96 in the 400.
