In this second piece on Stockholm, Stuart Weir writes about the Brits in Stockholm competing on July 4. Stuart will be doing 3 pieces on the Bauhaus Galan meeting, held in the 1912 Olympic stadium. It is one of my favorite stadiums as well as a fave mee
David King, 110m hurdles, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Beth Dobbins, 200m, photo by Getty Images /British Athletics
Elliot Giles, 800m, photo by Getty Images / British Athletics
Brits in Stockholm
There were 14 British athletes in action at the Bauhaus Stockholm Diamond League at the weekend. They went into the meet with different expectations, motivations, and outcomes. If I counted correctly, there were six PRs. For some the competition was a step on the road to Tokyo. For others, it was an attempt to salvage something from a disappointing season. Those who are in the GB Olympic squad have a * after the surname.
Men 100m
CJ Ujah* third in 10.10. He commented afterward: “Bit tired, fresh off the back of trials. 10.10 I’ll take it though. I would have liked to have seen a bit more, when I came up those guys were on the far side. I would have liked to be in a bit more. It’s nice to be here and get competitive before the Olympic Games. I’ve got one more race to come, in Gateshead, I’m looking forward to it. I think I’m rounding into good shape, so I’m not too bothered about that tired legs. With a bit of recovery behind me, I should be good. It’s nice to actually have, and not discrediting anyone, people next to me or thereabouts, so I can be pushing myself. It’s definitely good”.
Men 800m
Elliot Giles* third in 1:44.05, a PR. Jamie Webb was eighth.
Giles commented: “It was good, I just didn’t have that kick at the end – I almost had it. But Rotich is a vet isn’t he and he’s strong so I couldn’t quite get there. I was a bit scatty, I was in a good position but I was a bit surgy trying to get the inside lane. Next its Budapest and then Monaco”.
Men 800 B race
Archie Davis, second, 1:44.72 PR. Piers Copeland 1:45.77 PR. Jake Heyward* fifth 1:46.47 PR
Three British runners, three PRs – can’t complain about that. Heyward who was third in the GB 1500m trials last weekend, securing a place in the Tokyo squad with Jake Wightman and Josh Kerr, was running the shorter distance tonight.
Men 3000m SC
Zak Seddon* second 8:23.22
Men 110m hurdles
David King* third in 13.63. Not named in the original GB Olympic team, King was one of four athletes added this week.
Men 400m hurdles
Chris McAlister fifth in 49.16 PR
Women 200
Beth Dobbin*fourth 22.84. I first noticed Beth Dobbin when she ran in Stockholm three years ago. Great to see her develop to become an Olympian. She summed up her evening: “I’m pleased with that, a solid time in a world-class field. That’s the fifth place and now a 4th place finish in the Diamond League, that really isn’t bad. Hopefully next time it will be one place higher again. Next is Gateshead Diamond League, to me, this is just amazing in my first season competing in the Diamond League. I’ve done the B-races before so this is really great to be racing these girls because they are world-class. Because for me because I’m so late on the scene, I burst through at an older age, I haven’t had much experience at racing world-class girls. It’s been more domestic races that I’ve done so when I go to European and World events I find myself a little out of my depth because I’m not used to it. If I’m mixing it with these girls on a regular basis then I’m getting used to it and that’s really good for this year the Olympics. I’m ecstatic about going to Tokyo”.
Women 800m
Keely Hodgkinson* fourth 1:57.51 PR. Hodgkinson is on a steep learning curve. In September last year she ran a new PR 2:01.73.Now she is running a time four seconds faster BUT finishing fourth!
Women3000m SC
Aimee Pratt* tenth 9:39.12
Women Pole Vault
Holly Bradshaw* second 4.61. A disappointing performance but Holly can be forgiven after her British record last weekend.
Women Long Jump
Jazmin Sawyers* Fifth 6.57. Didn’t do herself justice but perhaps hard to lift herself just seven days after winning the GB trials Long Jump.
