London Diamond League 2024: The Last Dance
The London Diamond league was the last dance for the Athletics stars to sharpen up before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The day was a combination of the highest highs and the lowest lows. The highs saw Brits Keely Hodgkinson and Matthew Hudson-Smith smash records. The lows saw upset in the Emsley Carr mile, the men’s High Jump and women’s Pole Vault. The day ended in silence as the event reached its climax in the men’s 100m.
The Emsley Carr Mile
The men’s middle-distance scene is one of the most hotly contested events in Athletics. It is no surprise why the London Diamond League race was full of drama. Olli Hoare clinched the win over Narve NORDÅS with an impressive clocking of 3:49.03.
A fall in the first 100m saw Brits George Mills and Neil Gourley clatter the floor. Furious Mills and Gourley appealed for a restart, however, they were denied the chance by UKA officials. The most disappointing part was that it was their last opportunity to race their competitors before the Olympics and to perform in front of a home crowd.
Elliot Giles, who managed to navigate the scramble was lost for words “It was so messy out there … it was absolute carnage … the first 250m felt so fast but it was so slow.”
Men’s High Jump
More technical difficulties left the reigning World and Olympic High Jump champion, Mutaz Barshim, furious after not being able to jump.
“I’m disappointed, there was no space, it was a technical mistake from the organisation, it was impossible for me to jump. I’ve been jumping professionally for 15 years, and this is only the second time in my career this has happened.”
Women’s Pole Vault
Katie Moon the current Olympic and world champion in the pole vault bombed out in the third round of the pole vault after failing to clear 4.65m.
She told the Sports Gazette “I’m upset, it’s not reflective of where I am right now and it’s unfortunate that it’s the last meet going into the Olympics.
“I just need to write this one off as a fluke. I’ve dealt with a lot of setbacks this year, I know I’m close, I know it’s right there, but it’s frustrating that this is final showing before the Games.”
Even though Moon may have had a bad day at the office it didn’t stop Nina Kennedy, Alysha Newman and Brit Molly Caudery topping the table.
Commenting on her hopes for Olympic gold Moon said “Nina and Molly look incredible right now. I’d like to put myself up there in contention but it’s anybody’s game it’s going to be very wide open.”
https://twitter.com/ELITEEndurance_/status/1815035807918444693
London Diamond League Record Breakers
Despite the drama, there was wonder as Keely Hodgkinson lowering her British record from 1:55.19mins to 1:54.61mins. During this race she managed to pull six of her competitors to personal bests.
It cannot be ignored that Erin Wallace’s valiant effort, pacing the women through the first lap in 55.58s, enabled all athletes to race so fast.
In the men’s 400m it was Brit Matt Hudson-Smith who shone the brightest, front running the whole race. He ran 43.74s obliterating his current European record of 44.07s.
The 100m Finale
Prior to the London Diamond league British Record holder Zharnel Hughes spoke out against his competitor Noah Lyles to the BBC.
He told the BBC: “This guy man, he just needs to shut up. It’s just the perfect timing leading up to the Olympic Games. I will see him in London, and I’ll talk with my spikes”
Unfortunately, Hughes had been struggling with a hamstring issue throughout the year and it appears he still needs some sharpening before the games.
Lyles came away victorious asserting his dominance going into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Riding on the high of his performance he said: “Everyone better get ready for a show because [the Paris Olympics] ain’t gonna be boring I can assure you of that.”
