by Stuart WeirAn exciting evening of field events in Zurich , by Stuart Weir
One criticism that is justly made of the Diamond Leagues is that field events can be somewhat marginalised, often taking place outside the two-hour television slot. Day one of the Diamond League final was a celebration of all field events. And did they deliver!! Held in a purpose-built arena on the edge of the lake with temporary stands (bleachers if you must!) There was a huge crowd with spectators paying for seats, but allowed to stand for free. In a big arena a particular field event can be 100 meters from one’s seat. In a small arena like Zurich, spectators can believe that they are right on top of the action.
Mondo cleared 6 metersThere was a home win in the men’s long jump.Four women cleared 2m in the high jump.Katie Moon won her second DL in 5 daysJoe Kovacs and Jessica Schilder won the shot Apart from that, not a lot happened!
Joe Kovacs won the Men’s shot with 22.26 commenting: “It is awesome to win here, with that high level. I would like to keep my medal streak alive but I am also happy to get home to my wife and my kids. In the US we have such a strong tradition in the shot put, sometimes that sucks, but most of the time it pushes you. At this stage of my career it humbles me that kids watch me on YouTube. For me to compete at the world championships, Ryan Crouser would have to give me his spot because of injury. I would be ready to go. But then I would also want to come home with at least a bronze medal”. Surely the World Championship is supposed to have the best athletes in every discipline. There should be a place for the Diamond League champion and/or for such an outstanding performing based on ranking.
Joe once gave me good advice for all husbands when I asked him how it worked to be coached by his wife. He replied: “I just do what my wife tells me; it makes my life easier”.
Jessica Schilder won the woman’s shot with 20.26 from Chase Jackson. Canada’s two-time world indoor champion Sarah Mitton was initially declared the winner, following a 20.67m throw from the second round. But it was later judged to be a foul.
Mondo jumped 6 meters (exactly 6.00) and the Pope is still a catholic! Mondo noted that he now had five Diamond trophies now, but Renaud Lavillenie has seven! He added: “I am a human being, I do not break world records every day, there are days when I feel decent and others when I feel bad. Today I felt somewhere in between”.
Kate Moon won the women’s pole vault with 4.82. The women’s pole vault was scheduled for the stadium on Day 2 but was moved to Day 1 with heavy rain forecast for Day 2. Moon commented: “It was awesome, so much fun. This is my first win in Zurich. I have always wanted to win Zurich. It feels so good. I will take some technical issues with me from Zurich, e.g. staying patient, not rushing things”.
What you really need to get the meet off to a great start is a home win. Simon Ehammer obliged in the men’s long jump with 8.32, just two centimeters ahead of Mattia Furlani – but a win is a win! Ehammer who will compete in long jump and decathlon in Tokyo, said: “This is amazing, it is so nice. I cannot find words to describe my feelings. Winning at home in Zurich, winning at the Diamond League final, it is huge. I lost a lot on the board at my best jump but the jump was good. I hope to bring this flow to Tokyo. If I can compete there at the same level like today, I am happy. It is always nice to compete at home”.
Nicola Olyslagers won one of the best long-jump competitions ever, with four athletes clearing 2 meters. The final result was:
1 Nicola Olyslagers 2:04m, 2 Yaroslava Mahuchikh 2:02m, 3 Yuliia Levchenko 2:00m, 4 Morgan Lake 2:00m
Olyslagers’ 2:04m is a national record and a World Lead. She was almost lost for words: “It was beautiful today. Coming back after four years to this stadium was amazing. I spend a lot of time in Switzerland. Today I am discovering what is possible for me. I am still learning. It is still so recent.
2.04 – I have been trying to get that height for a few years now. And today I got the Diamond trophy on top. What a day! Today I had this peace inside of my heart, that something is going to change. I think I learnt a lot at the [failed] 2.06 jump. The pressure is off now for me. “
photos by #DiamondLeagueAG
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