by Alfonz Juck
The nighty signage in the stadium, photo by PhotoRun.net
Here’s the behind the scenes stuff on Day 5….
Mutaz Essa Barshim: “It is home and I feel my jumping is really good. Today was very important for me because I was pushing myself the whole season to jump well at home. Despite the fact that the people are sometimes very critical, I am happy to compete here and hopefully to come back in the final and do the hard job. I always want to win, it does not matter where it is.”
Noah Lyles: “Don’t say I’m the new Bolt. I’m me. If you like me, I’ll happily entertain you.”
RESULT OF DAY 5
Championship record and North American record for Donavan Brazier to win the 800m in 1:42.34
SURPRISE OF DAY 5
Quinonez bronze in the 200 m in the first final for his country in the event at Worlds. Several top high jumpers exiting in qualifying, and only 226 enough for the final. Tobe, Bondarenko, Ghazal, Protsenko, Przybylko.
MEDALS (28 countries, +3)
USA 7-7-2, CHN 2-3-3, JAM 2-2-0, KEN 2-0-2, ETH 1-2-0, SWE 1-1-0
POINTS (52 countries, +3)
USA 151, CHN 74, KEN 51, JAM 45, CAN 35, ETH 30, GBR 25, UKR 24
AGENT RANKINGS (by individual gold medals)
Jos Hermens (and his colleagues) 5, Adrian Laidlaw 2, Mark Wetmore 2, Paul Doyle 2, Federico Rosa 1, Emanuel Hudson 1, Karen Locke 1, Pavel Voronkov 1, Stale-Jan Froynes 1, Hans Uurike 1, Olga Nazarova 1, Gianni Demadonna 1, Tero Heiska 1, AR not known for Suzuki
LONDON 2017 WINNERS
yes (5): Taylor (TJ), Edris (5000), Lasitskene (HJ), Warholm (400H), Kendricks (PV)
no (13): R. Chelimo (mar), Diniz (50kw), Manyonga (LJ), Gatlin (100), Henriques (50kw), Jiang Yiayu (20kw), Bowie (100), Stefanidi (PV), Coburn (steeple), Gudzius (DT), Guliyev (200), Spotakova (JT), Bosse (800)
nc (3): Farah (10k), Wlodarczyk (HT), Semenya (800)
GOLD MEDALS BY CONTINENTS
America 9, Europe 5, Africa 4, Asia 3, Oceania 1
WORLD RECORDS (2/2)
US Tyrell Richard, Jessica Beard, Jasmine Blocker and Obi Igbokwe set a new benchmark of 3:12.42 and qualify fastest for the final in mixed 4×400 m. Splits: 45.1 50.6 51.2 45.6.
US Wil London, Allyson Felix, Courtney Okolo and Michael Cherry 3:09.34 WR after splits: 44.9 50.4 49.9 44.2.
U20: Yaroslava Mahuchickh 202 and 204 in high jump.
WORLD LEADS (5)
100 m men, long jump men, 10 000 m women, pole vault women, 100 m women
CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORDS (4)
3000 m steeple women, twice 4×400 mixed, 800 m men
STATS OF DAY 5 (by Ken Nakamura)
PV: 17cm is the largest difference between 3rd and 4th at PV in the World Championships 5.97m by Duplantis is the highest 2nd place (non-winning) mark in the history of World Championships at PV. 5.97 is the highest PV in Doha as well as highest PV in the month of October
W400m semi: 49.66 by Miller-Uibo is tied third fastest semi time at W400m in the World Championships and also fastest ever time in Doha.
WJT: Lyu Huihui won a third medal in WJT at the World Championships Only Spotakova (4) and Nerius (4) have more. The winning throw 66.56 is the longest throw in the month of October.
W200m semi: 22.16 is the third fastest semi time for W200m in the World Championships.
800m: Brazier won first gold for US in this event at the World Championships, the winning margin of 1.13 seconds is the largest ever at 800m in the World Championships. The difference of 1.48 seconds between first and third is also the largest ever at 800m in the WOrld Championships.
200m: Best marks for place for 6th and 7th at 200m in the World Championships were set. De Grasse won first silver for CAN at 200m in the World Championships
Previously Mahorn won a bronze for CAN in 1991. Quinonez won first medal of any kind for ECU at 200m in the World Championships and fifth after 4 medals of walker Perez.
OTHER DOHA NEWS
DOHA (QAT): The Stars and Stripes took centre stage on day five of the IAAF World Athletics Championships as US men took the titles in the 200m, 800m and pole vault before a joyous multi-cultural crowd in Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium. The sprinter who is fast inheriting Usain Bolt’s title as the world’s most watchable athlete, 22-year-old Noah Lyles stormed to victory in the 200m after a season of dominance that included a 19.50 clocking that lifted him to fourth on the world all-time list. “So many times this year I’ve thought of being world champion, you wouldn’t believe it. I have it on my phone, I say it to myself in my car, I think it all the time – and finally to have done it feels unbelievable.
DOHA (QAT): Defending champion Kendricks eventually prevailed on a countback after both men cleared 5.97m on their final attempts, but could go no further. A first-time clearance of 5.92m delivered the title to Kendricks. Piotr Lisek of Poland took the bronze (5.87m) and the three men celebrated together by doing synchronised backflips on the mat.
DOHA (QAT): In the 800m, Donavan Brazier laid waste to the field with a sensational display to became the first US athlete to win a world 800m title after top pacing of Vasquez from Puertorico, the fastest at Worlds 48.96. Amel Tuka won for Bosnia the best medal ever from Worlds.
DOHA (QAT): Kelsey-Lee Barber snapped Australia’s silver streak in this event, delivering her nation’s first world javelin title with a thrilling sixth-round throw. Twice before Australia has claimed a silver in this event (Joanna Stone in 1997 and Kim Mickle in 2013) but Barber’s impeccably timed 66.56m effort elevated her from fourth to gold. She becomes the 9th Australian world champion since the first championship in 1983. “I thought it had snuck over 65m when I saw it land, but I was still waiting to see the numbers come up, so to see 66m and then jump into first place, my head was spinning a little bit,” said the new World Champion.
DOHA (QAT): Sergey Bubka was confirmed IAAF Senior Vice President at the 219th IAAF Council Meeting in Doha on Tuesday. It was the first Council Meeting that included the members who were elected on to Council at last week’s IAAF Congress. This will be Bubka’s third term as Vice President, having held the role from 2007-2011 and from 2015-2019. In other decisions made at today’s Council Meeting, Antti Pihlakoski was reappointed to the AIU Board Appointments Panel and Abby Hoffman was reappointed to the AIU Board. Voting is currently open for the IAAF Athletes’ Commission elections. The names of the six elected members of the commission will be announced before the end of the championships. The Council may also appoint up to six further people to be Athletes’ Commission members to help ensure diversity of representation. Once the Athletes’ Commission has been finalised, the Chairperson and one other member – one male and one female – will be full voting members of the IAAF Council.
DOHA (QAT): Both 400 m hurdles heroes Karsten Warholm and Abderrahmane Samba did not run 400 m flat.
DOHA (QAT): Elaine Thompson did not run 200 m semifinals due to achilles injury.
DOHA (QAT): Due to the USADA ruling in regards of the suspension of Oregon Project Coach Alberto Salazar, Sifan Hassan said in a statement among other: “I am shocked to receive the news of today’s ruling, especially during this time in which I am fully preparing for my next race in the world championships in Doha. I like to state that this investigation is focused on the period before I joined the Oregon Project and therefore has no relation to me. I was aware of the ongoing investigations when I joined the team and have always had a clean conscience, knowing we are being monitored to the absolute fullest by USADA and WADA. I am saddened by the timing of USADA as it brings my championship out of balance but I will focus all my energy on my next race and my performance in the 1500m. A race that I have worked hard to prepare for and am very excited to race in hopes of
winning my second world title.”
DOHA (QAT): Athletes here coached by Alberto Salazar, banned for four years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), are today receiving notice from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) prohibiting them from future association. David Howman, chairman of the AIU, exclusively told insidethegames: “Salazar has been stripped of his accreditation for this event, and that means that notices have to be given to the athletes under his coaching so that they don’t associate with him now that he has been banned. No athlete can be charged with prohibited association unless they have been notified about the coach or person they shouldn’t be associated with.” From insidethegames.
EUGENE (USA): A statement published on the Nike Oregon Project website quotes Alberto Salazar following his four-year ban. The former top-class marathoner said: “I am shocked by the outcome today. Throughout this six-year investigation my athletes and I have endured unjust, unethical and highly damaging treatment from USADA. This is demonstrated by the misleading statement released by Travis Tygart stating that we put winning ahead of athlete safety. This is completely false and contrary to the findings of the arbitrators, who even wrote about the care I took in complying with the World Anti-Doping code: The Panel notes that the Respondent does not appear to have been motivated by any bad intention to commit the violations the Panel found. In fact, the Panel was struck by the amount of care generally taken by Respondent to ensure that whatever new technique or method or substance he was going to try was lawful under the World Anti-Doping Code, with USADA’s witness characterizing him as the coach they heard from the most with respect to trying to ensure that he was complying with his obligations. I have always ensured the WADA code is strictly followed. The Oregon Project has never and will never permit doping. I will appeal and look forward to this unfair and protracted process reaching the conclusion I know to be true. I will not be commenting further at this time.”
LONDON (GBR): UK Athletics, who formerly hired Alberto Salazar as a consultant, reacted: “The Board and Performance Oversight Committee (POC) will now review the arbitration decision in full prior to making any further comment. It should be noted that at all times UK Athletics fully cooperated with both USADA and UKAD throughout the investigations. Furthermore the Performance Oversight Committee’s own investigation in 2015 was restricted to the interaction of the Nike Oregon Project with Mo Farah. and not an anti-doping investigation. Such investigations can and should only be undertaken by the relevant anti-doping authorities. UK Athletics is 100% committed to Clean Athletics through investment in athlete education, supporting comprehensive testing programmes, and full cooperation with both UK and International Anti-Doping Authorities.”
LONDON (GBR): Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, who was coached by Alberto Salazar until 2017, released a statement in response to news of the American’s ban in connection with doping. “I’m relieved that USADA has, after four years, completed their investigation into Alberto Salazar,” said Farah. “I left the Nike Oregon Project in 2017 but as I’ve always said, I have no tolerance for anyone who breaks the rules or crosses a line. A ruling has been made and I’m glad there has finally been a conclusion.”
VIENNA (AUT): After his discus bronze medal at the World Championships, Austria’s Lukas Weisshaidlinger will fly back home tomorrow. His coach, Gregor Högler, will stay on in Doha to oversee Ivona Dadic in the heptathlon.
DOHA (QAT): Double European champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen was content with his fifth place in the 5000m yesterday despite the medal contender fading from a leading position on the last lap. The Norwegian told AIPS: “It was a really good race. It’s crazy being a part of this, running against those crazy fast guys. I was going for gold and I gave it my best. I’m exhausted but I’m really happy with myself.”
DOHA (QAT): A steeplechase bronze medal for Gesa Krause helped boost TV viewing figures in Germany for the World Championships. The events in Doha was watched on ZDF by an average of 4.1 million with an audience share of 14.3%. Viewing figures in Germany had been disappointing, reports sportbusiness.com, with an average of only 2.7 million for Saturday’s peak-time coverage. Viewing figures in France hit 1.65 million yesterday.
ADDIS ABABA (ETH): Distance running legend Haile Gebrselassie has criticised the decision to hold the World Championships in the hot climate of Qatar. He told Associated Press: “It was a mistake to conduct the championship in such hot weather in Doha, especially the marathon race. As someone who has been in the sport for many years, I’ve found it unacceptable. God forbid, but people could have died running in such weather conditions.”
DOHA (QAT): European champion Laura Muir is confident despite a calf injury having kept her out of competition since July. The Brit, who will line up over 1500, said: “I’m happy with how things have gone. The calf is 100 per cent so I’m not worried about that at all. I can go into the competition being confident in that and my body, but it’s not been the most ideal preparation over these past couple of months. To win a medal now, especially gold, would be an even bigger achievement than what it was a few months ago. That’s definitely still on the table. Going into this year I said I wanted to win a medal in Doha. That’s always been my target and I think I am still capable of doing that.” From skysports.com.
