Yes, Usain Bolt is fast, and 9.82 is borderline superhuman, tying the world lead in his first race back from an Achilles injury. But if you want to know what’s going on in the Diamond League, you’ll need to look elsewhere — the 100 meters was a non-Diamond race tacked onto the program so they could bring Bolt in.
The rest of the Athletissima meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, had seven more world-leading performances and six U.S. wins. The quick look:
MEN
– 400: Jeremy Wariner (USA) posted a world-leading 44.57, just holding off countryman LeJerald Betters (44.70). He’s 3-for-3 in Diamond League.
– 400 hurdles: Bershawn Jackson (USA) didn’t match his world-leading 47.32 but won handily in second-fastest time of the year, 47.62. Angelo Taylor (USA) was second at 47.96. Jackson also claimed the Diamond lead ahead of Kerron Clement (USA).
– 200: Walter Dix (USA), 19.86, tied his own mark for fourth in the world this year. He has won the last three Diamond League races.
– 1,500: Not a Diamond League race, but another world lead: Nicholas Kemboi (KEN), 3:31.52
– 3,000 steeplechase: Brimin Kipruto (KEN), 8:01.62, world lead and nearly five seconds off meet record. This is one of the Diamond League disciplines with some suspense in the standings — Paul Koech (KEN) finished third and still leads Kipruto in the standings.
WOMEN
– 100: Carmelita Jeter (USA) won in 10.99, not a world lead, to build a five-point lead in the Diamond points. The event is reeling from the news that Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser tested positive for a painkiller. The explanation for the test: She went to the dentist, then had to fly, and she forgot to declare it. The explanation for why a drug that fails to enhance performance or mask anything is on the prohibited list: …. well, we’ll have to ask. But the situation is a crisis! At least, that’s what the Telegraph says.
– 400: Debbie Dunn (USA), 49.81, second this year only to her 49.64 in USA Championships.
– 1,500: Gelete Burka (ETH), world-leading 3:59.28, then national record-setter Ibtissam Lakhouad (MAR, 3:59.45) and personal best-setter Nancy Langat (KEN, 4:00.13). Funny thing is that Langat, the Olympic champion, had been dominating the season.
– 3,000: Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN), 8:34.58, world lead and meet record.
– Long jump: Brittney Reese (USA), the world champion, fourth in the world at 6.94 meters/22-9.25.
– Triple jump: Yargelis Savigne (CUB), 14.99 meters, world lead and far ahead of the rest.
– High jump: Ivan Ukhov (RUS) ties world lead at 2.33 meters. World champion Yaroslav Rybakov (also RUS) tied Ukhov but lost on more misses.
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In other Olympic sports news:
– Figure skating: Johnny Weir is taking the season off to reinvent his skating and promote his single, fashion line and book. But he’ll be back for Sochi.
– Swimming: The Grand Prix finale is in this week in Los Angeles. Betting on Chloe Sutton to take season honors.
Duresport.com 