by Stuart WeirThe Birmingham DL was the focus of Stuart Weir’s writing this week. His coverage has given us a keener view into the second Diamond League meeting of 2022.
This feature is on the sprints and the sprint relays.
Women’s 100m B, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Daryl Neita and Dina-Asher-Smith, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Sprints
The 100m races promised a lot at the Wanda Diamond League, Alexander Stadium, Birmingham and they certainly delivered but perhaps not totally in the way we expected. The men’s 100m race was Canada, USA, and Jamaica against the best of the home talent.
Aaron Brown, who had earlier taken second place in the B race in 10.23 won the A race in 10.19. But the real drama and already happened at this point pocket with one of the favorites, Travon Bromell, being disqualified for a false start. As if that wasn’t enough Zharnel Hughes, as had happened in Tokyo, followed him to the naughty step.
Following Brown home was the veteran Jamaican, Yohan Blake, with Jerome Blake and Andre de Grasse behind to give Canada three of the top four places. The three British runners, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Adam Gemili, and Reece Prescod occupied places 5 to 7.
Andre De Grasse, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Aaron Brown said of his two races: “I’m glad I won this one and not the first one [B race] if I had to choose! I felt good. My plan today was to get a training day in. I have another race to run in the relay so three runs in one Diamond League is a record for me but I love it. I’m just trying to get the work in and get ready for the World Champs. Originally, I was just coming to do the relay and then it just so happened I asked to get in the 100 and they only put me in the B race and then the A race opened up so I did all three and it paid off”.
Jeremiah Azu won the B race in 10.19, which would have given him third place in the main race. He said: “I wanted to run a PB today but unfortunately the wind changed to a -0.5 so I am pleased with that today. I am in a better place than when I raced two weeks ago. I knew I could win the race and I hadn’t realized quite how close he (Aaron Brown) was behind me”.
Canada won the 4 by 100 relay in 38.31 with Aaron Brown commenting: “I was cramping up as it was my third race of the day. I didn´t see the Brits drop the baton but I am so pleased we came through and got the win. We really came together well and competed well. We were on the Olympic podium and we want to do one better this year”.
GB was indeed looking good until Richard Kilty, on leg three, failed to get the baton to Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and the race was over.
The women’s 100m was won by Dina-Asher Smith in 11.11 from Shericka Jackson (11.12) and Daryll Neita (11.14) with Mikiah Brisco (11.25) and Gabrielle Thomas (11.31), the best of the four Americans. The late withdrawal of Elaine Thompson-Herah was a disappointment. There were four Brits in the B race with Imani Lansiquot best with 11.43.
Men’s 100m B, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Asher-Smith commented: “It’s my first 100 of the season. It’s a long season so we’re easing our way into it and it was good. There was a very strong field; I could have done a few things differently if I am being picky but I’m very happy to win in this temperature and against this field. Being British, I wanted to come to Birmingham in this beautiful new stadium and put on a show. When other girls are three or four races down, you are like ‘I hope my opener is sharp enough to beat everybody’ and it was so all good”.
The British team then took the relay in 42.29 with Daryll Neita commenting: “We are really pushing for the gold now. We are working hard as a team, so it’s great to see it pay off today. It helps us know where we can work on but we are moving in the right direction”.
With three championships, there will be a lot of sprinting this year for the sprinters.
