London Delivers Again – runblogrun

London delivers again

The London Diamond League is simply the best. You may say that I am biased but actually, I think the evidence is pretty conclusive. 57,000 watching a track and field meet. Where else would that happen? It is back in the London Stadium as it is now called, which produced so many amazing moments during the 2012 Olympics just adds to the occasion.

It helps when you have a stellar field of world stars combined with some outstanding British performances. People worried that six days before the Olympics would have been too close to attracting the right caliber of athlete – they were wrong.

The usual two-hour Diamond League program was preceded by youth relays, national races, Paralympic events, and three field events – including the men’s shot put. Who in the right mind would want to include a contest between Ryan Crouser, Jow Kovacs, and Tom Walsh in the main program! Especially as it was Leonardo Fabbri who beat them all with 22.72.

The main event began with Femke Bol setting a meeting record of 51.30. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is an outstanding athlete but very difficult to see in action. Femke runs and runs and runs.  Nina Kennedy won the pole vault with 4.85 but it was another disappointing evening for home favorite, Molly Caudery (4.65) and reigning Olympic champion, Katie Moon (4.50).

Malaika Mihambo won the long jump with her first jump of 6.87.

But what do you need to get the crowd going – did I mention that it was 57,000? – is a bit of British success. Enter Matt Hudson-Smith who won the 400 in 43.74, a world lead and European record.  Matt said afterwards: “43 seconds before Paris is exactly what me, my coach and team were aiming for.

To get that world lead and to set myself up for Paris is what I really needed to show the rest of the world what I am capable of. Before today I wrote on a paper that I was going to run 43.7, because I did a race model and my coach had told me I was in 43 seconds shape. All I had to do was go out there and show it, not blow it at the beginning. Getting ready for Paris is all that matters and I believe today was very important…