This is Stuart Weir’s third piece on the Silesia DL, which was held on August 25, 2024.
Brits in Silesia
The stand-out GB performances in Silesia were in the middle distance. Georgia Bell was third in the 1500 in 3:58.11, and Melissa Courtney-Bryant was fourth in 3:59.55 in a Diribe Welteji win. Bell, an Olympic medallist, said afterward: “It was a good race. I expected it to be a close battle, with some women wanting to make a point after the Olympics. I ran another sub-4, so I have to be pleased. I never did that before this season, but now I have done it 4 times, and it would feel like a disappointment not to do it today. This was my 18th 1500m of the year, which is a lot, but now I am planning to do some 800s before the season is over. The conditions were perfect today. It was hot, but there was shade on the track and a bit of wind, so it was not a problem”. Revee Walcott-Nolan ran 4:00.41 for 10th place – how the times in middle-distance have speeded up of late!
Jemma Reekie was second in the rarely run1000m in 2:32.56. She commented: “It was a bit slower than I expected, but overall, it went quite well. Of course, everyone is tired after the Olympics, and I had to get my head back to training quite quickly and aiming towards the end of the season and the Diamond League final. At the Olympics, I was unhappy about my performance, but I have to move forward and ensure that it does not happen again”.
Max Burgin ran 1:43.73 for seventh in a fast 800. Jeremiah Azu ran 10.05 for 5th in the 100m. Darryl Neita was fourth in the 100m in 11.01, and Lavaia Nilsen clocked 51.02 in the 400. Both will be disappointed, but as both have had stellar years, I would be the last to criticize.
Cindy Sember ran 12.67 in the 100h but did not make the final.
The next Diamond League is the Golden Gala in Rome on Friday, with Darryl Neita, Charles Dobson, Aimee Pratt, Amy Hunt, Lina Nielsen, and Revee Walcott-Nolan listed to run.
