by Larry Eder
Christophe Lemaitre, photo by PhotoRun.net
Lemaitre 20.44 WL, PML comeback 7.49
METZ (FRA, Feb 21): European champion Christophe Lemaitre confirmed top shape with World leading and indoor PB 20.44 in the 200 m at the international indoor meet here. Second Jeffrey John 20.79. Lemaitre was beaten in the 60 m with 6.63 by Barbados Ramon Gittens who clocked 6.60. Another top time of the day was 7.49 at 60 m hurdles by European Indoor champion 2015 Pascal Martinot-Lagarde his third best of career right in first meet of the season. Here second Simon Krauss 7.69. Fast shape confirmed by Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast with twice 7.09 (heats and finals) and second Stella Akakpo improved to 7.12. Floria Guei posted 36.46 in the 300 m and Marie Gayot 52.75 in the 400 m. National record holder Cindy Bilaud returned with 8.04 win over 60 m hurdles. Good jumping by Ukrainian Andriy Protsenko 230 over Jaroslav Baba 225 and Cuban Alexis Copello triple 16.95 ahead of European Champion Benjamin Compaore 16.77. European Indoor gold medalist 2013 Nataliya Lupu from Ukraine won the 800 m in 2:00.86 ahead of Moroccan Malika Akkaoui 2:00.96. In men distances Paul Renaudie (1:48.11) and Sofiane Selmouni (3:41.47) won the 800 and 1500 m. In the 3000 m young Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha won in 7:43.77 beating his country-mate Dejene Gonfa 7:46.64 and home Morhad Amdouni 7:47.70 indoor PB.
Editor’s note: Interesting to see Lemaitre running into shape with a fine 200 meters. PML is a fine indoor hurdler, so looking forward to seeing if he runs in Portland. Two weeks to go!
