by Alfonz Juck
Mo Farah, London DL, July 2015, photo by PhotoRun.net
For much of Mo Farah’s career, his last race before a major championship is at a DL in the UK. Running two miles, 3000 meters or 5000 meters, Mo Farah uses the race to finely hone his already fine racing skills to the highest of levels. Fans thrill to Mo running a last 800 meters in 1:53, or a killer last lap. With such an event as one of the final events of one of the evenings, the crowd goes away excited and ready for another day of athletics.
LONDON DIAMOND LEAGUE
Bolt in first 200 m of the year
LONDON (GBR): Great weather and nearly sold out big London olympic stadium is the expectation for the Friday programme of the Muller Anniversary Games. Usain Bolt at the end will compete in his first 200 m of the year to confirm his fitness for the Games. Lavillenie against Kendricks, Kenni Harrison in hurdles and much more is expected.
Event by event
Men
100 m: Vicaut revenge with Martina, but top Brits are there and Rio-bound Bracy. Heats and finals.
200 m (non-DL): Bolt and his test of shape. First 200 of the year for him. Waiting behind Ashmeade, Edward, Gemili and Lemaitre.
800 m: Rio bound Ferguson after wins in Shanghai and Stockholm the main name. But also Bosse and Amos (healthy enough?).
Mile (non-DL): Emsley Carr Mile looks to be Kenyan affair with Silas Kiplagat and Vincent Kibet.
PV (non-DL): AirLavillenie again flying, but Kendricks lost his WL and wants it back.
TJ: Taylor to attack Edwards´s meet record 17.69.
JT: Eurochamp Sirmais to be checked by Walcott, Vadlejch and Germans.
Women
400 m: Miller for a fast time.
1500 m: Hassan to improve the image after Amsterdam loss. Muir will attack. Or some surprise?
100H: Kenni Harrison revenge after Trials against Rollins. Top Europeans Roleder and Porter and home hero Jessica. Heats and finals. Meet record 12.47 under threat.
400H (non-DL): World leader Muhammad against top Europeans Doyle and Petersen.
HJ: European duel Beitia vs Licwinko.
4×100 m (non-DL): Britain will have it tough with Jamaica and Netherlands.
LONDON (GBR): “I am here to win so that’s my focus and hopefully everything goes as smooth as I want tomorrow. I am always excited to compete here in London; it’s going to be a lot of fun so I’m looking forward to it,” said Usain Bolt before Friday´s race. With the Rio Olympic Games on the horizon, the Jamaican was in upbeat mood: “I am really excited about my last Olympics. This is where I need to make my big mark; I am looking forward to it. I had a slight setback, but I started my season on a good note and got a few races in. I am happy with the progress I am making and looking forward to Rio now. I try not to worry about simple things like times now, for me it’s all about execution at the moment.” Bolt also added the hamstring injury which forced him to pull out of the Jamaican Championships in Kingston wasn’t much of a setback, informs PA. “I’m happy that I didn’t get a really bad setback this season, it was up and down, but I could always train,” said Bolt. “When I got to the doctor he said if I had competed (in the trials) I would probably would have torn my hamstring really badly. I made the right decision. My coach always makes sure I put my health first. But I was never really worried because my coach always figures out a way to adjust the programme.”
LONDON (GBR): A quartet of world-class athletes spoke ahead of their appearances over the next two days. 2012 Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, reigning Olympic and world triple jump champion Christian Taylor, world 200m champion Dafne Schippers, and the second fastest woman ever over the 100m hurdles, Kendra Harrison, are all set to impress the crowds over a stacked weekend over action. Schippers, who ran the third fastest time ever over 200m in 2015, said: “This is my last competition before the Olympics – my body is feeling good so I am ready for Rio.” Lavillenie, who has three IAAF Diamond League victories to his name so far this year, commented: “The stadium has been good to me; I’ve jumped 5.97m and 6.03m here before. For tomorrow I’m anticipating good weather to try and jump well once again, the performance will be great preparation for Rio.” An enthusiastic Taylor said: “I have a special relationship with the place – it was where I won my first Olympic gold medal. I competed here last year, and it is such a great crowd, so I’m looking forward to getting out there and experiencing the crowd once more.” Harrison also added: “I feel like I’m in good shape at the moment but I was obviously disappointed to not make the Olympic team, which was my goal. But I can’t just stop my season; I’ll be going for the world record this season and getting as many Diamond League points as possible. That will make me continue to train hard and motivate me.”
