by Larry Eder
Whiting, Reese and Aregawi the main marks
DOHA (QAT, May 10): 11 world leads and 7 meet records in 17 events was a very special summary for the Doha IAAF Diamond League opener. In usual weather around 30 degrees later dropping down and in certain stages the stadium nearly full this was one of the best Doha editions. Compact and interesting. Top results of the day in women 1500 m, not to understimate men shot and women long jump and top sensation in men high jump.
Event by event short review
Men
100 m: Gatlin in 9.97 confirms his olympic position (+1.2), very close Rodgers 9.99 (9.984) and Carter 9.99 (9.988) behind him. In next race could be different.
800 m: Despite slower begin Rudisha ruled in 1:43.87 WL. Aman tried as second 1:44.21, French U23 Bosse surprise fourth 1:44.77 PB.
1500 m: In the only non-DL event Kiprop showed impressive speed in last 50 m in 3:31:13 WL over Birgen 3:31.90 and Souleiman of Djibouti3:32.59. Kiplagat only 10th, Cronje SAfrican record 3:33.46. Oly medalist Iguider 12th.
3000 m: Another great display of shape and final kick by Ethiopian junior Gebrhiwet 7:30.36 WL (last 400 m 53.8), only something over 2 seconds missing to world junior record. Longosiwa leads the others in 7:32.01. Ibrahimov gets NR for Azerbaijan 7:34.57 and European all-time 12th position. World CC champ Korir last.
400mH: Tinsley confirms his number one position this season as only one with sub 49 (48.92).
HJ: The sensation of the day when European U23 Champ 2011 Bondarenko equals the meet record and gets PB 233 and beats home star Barshim 230. Only Shustov managed 227 from the rest. Briton Oni badly ruptured patella tendon and will stay in Doha for surgery.
PV: Filippidis beats the Germans with 582 WL, MR and Greek outdoor record. Second on count-back Mohr also 582, Otto only 7th 550.
TJ: Oly winner Taylor was leading nearly the whole competition and improved in last round to 17.25 (+0.5).
SP: Whiting has the male performance of the day 22.28, number 12 all-time, great PB, MR, WL. Sensational South American record for Lauro 21.26 as second. Hoffa and Majewski beaten.
JT: Vesely despite arriving late and achilles pain showed his qualities and won with 3rd round throw of 85.09. The rest could not find themselves.
Women
200 m: SAFP ruled easily in windy 22.48 (+2.2). She can be much faster with more pressure.
400 m: Montsho confirms her status and improves own world lead to 49.88. Felix in rare appearance at the distance ends winning streak here but still gets solid 50.19. Ohuruogu as third 50.53 EL.
1500 m: This is the race of the day. Aregawi sensational national record for Sweden 3:56.60 (also WL, MR) and 8th all-time best in Europe, best since 2006. Sensationally second Kenyan junior Kipyegon 3:56.98 NR, Afr Junior record, and best junior non-Chinese, all time 5th. Third Genzebe Dibaba still PB 3:57.34.
Steeple: Lydia Chepkurui has the best finish here in WL, PB and MR9:13.75. Then 3 Ethiopians followed Assefa 9:14.61, Ayalew 9:17.60 and Diro 9:17.78. Chemos only 5th and Oly medalist Ghribi 7th.
100mH:
Harper was the best in US duel with 12.60 (+0.4) WL over Wells and Harrison. Fourth Porter 12.74 EL.
LJ: Exciting depth with Reese lucky with the wind 725 (+1.6) PB, WL and MR. Second Okagbare 714 (+2.2) and third DeLoach Soukup 708 (+2.2). 6th place for 682 is big.
DT: Perkovic started the season hugely with 68.23 WL and MR.
OTHER NEWS
DOHA (QAT): The International Association of Athletics Federations would “welcome” a new title sponsor for the Diamond League following the withdrawal of Samsung after three years’ commitment, but it will “not be a question of life or death”, the IAAF President, Lamine Diack said. It is understood that talks are progressing with another prospective title sponsor, but any announcement may be several weeks away.
MELBOURNE (AUS): The sport of Athletics is enjoying strong growth across the country with Athletics Australia reporting that registration rates around the nation have soared this season. Nearly ever state and territory of Australia has experienced strong senior participation growth this season.
SHANGHAI (CHN): Pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva confirmed she will start her season on May 18 at the Shanghai Diamond League. After the competition, the next day she will go to Nanjing with the IOC to visit the site for the Youth Olympic Games for 2014. She is the ambassador for this event.
ISTANBUL (TUR): Hhurriyetdailynews.com reports that a main opposition deputy has brought recent doping claims against Turkish athletes to Parliament in the hopes that Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kılıç will shed light on the controversial issue.
GOTZIS (AUT): More names for Austrian top decathlon meet of Gotzis on May 25-26 (IAAF CE Challenge). European indoor champion from Goteborg Dutch Eelco Sintnicolaas is confirmed. Also from Dutch team Pelle Rietveld and on the women side Dafne Schippers and Nadine Broersen. Canada also sends top people for 39th edition of the meet headed by Damian Warner and Brianne Theissen the future wife of Ashton Eaton. Brits announced Ashley Bryant and talented Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
NEW YORK (USA): Anyone with a Google alert set for Nick Symmonds had to wake up on Wednesday morning, read the following sentence, and have some serious questions about what is motivating the five-time U.S champion in the 800m these days. >From gossip columnist Liz Smith, “Two-time Olympian Nick Symmonds, an American middle-distance runner, is being pursued by ABC to become its new hot ‘Bachelor’ on the still-popular reality show.” In an interview with Race Results Weekly, he said flatly that he doesn’t believe throwing his hat into “The Bachelor” ring will hurt. He will race just twice before the USA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, first running a 1500m at the USATF High Performance meet at Occidental on May 17 and then the 800m at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic on June 1.
RESULTS
TOWNSVILLE (AUS, May 10): Benn Harradine has announced his return to competitive athletics in unbelievable fashion tonight by smashing his own Oceania and Australian record in the men’s discus throw. Hurling 68.20m in Townsville to also record his first A-Qualifier for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow (RUS) this August, Harradine’s performance sees the Commonwealth champion eclipse his own national record for an astounding fourth time. It is also world leading mark of 2013. He is scheduled to compete at the Shanghai IAAF Diamond League next weekend. Informs Athletics Australia.
BONNINGHEM (GER, May 9): Carolin Hingst cleared here 435 in the pole vault. Also to note 776 by Julian Howard in the long jump and 10.47 of Alex Schaf in the 100 m.
SHENYANG (CHN, May 10): Wu Qianlong won the 50 km walk competition at the walks within 12th National Games. Second Li Jianbo 3:52:12 and third Si Tianfeng 3:53:19.
