David Oliver, USA Outdoor Champs, June 27, photo by PhotoRun.net.

Last Sunday, after the end of the USA Outdoor, I congratulated Brooks
Johnson on David Oliver’s 12.93. He smiled, and told me, that David
was just getting started. Well, David’s 12.90 at the Nike Pre was one of
the best events of the meet and tied the AR! David is truly on a roll!

The following review  the view of the rest of the world, written by Alfons Juck. Note that the overwhelming comments via twitter and on my email expressed disappointment in the quality and breadth of the NBC coverage of the Nike Pre Classic. Being at the meet, I can tell you that this was my favorite of the 25 Pre Classics that I have attended. It is unfortunate that U.S. television continues to shoot itself in the foot in presenting such amazing events.

As I spend the day flying home, I will be updating, event by event, RBR’s coverage of the
Nike Pre Classic. Have a great fourth of July and we hope that you enjoy the coverage.

EME NEWS (JUL 3, 2010)

SUPERB PRE CLASSIC: OLIVER 12.90, CANTWELL 22.41, VCB 10.78

EUGENE (USA, Jul 3):
A rain of records at the 36th Prefontaine Classic Samsung Diamond League
with no less than two USA soil records, 5 world leading performances, 13 meeting
records and as many Hayward Field stadium records.  In total 12 843 people attended the meet,
a 15th consecutive sell-out for the Prefontaine meeting. 

EVENT BY EVENT REVIEW:

Men

200 m: Another big issue was Walter Dix win over Tyson Gay in the
200m. Dix time of 19.72 (MR, +1.8, second fastest of his career) edged out Gay
by four hundreds of a second (19.76, 5th fastest of the career). Third
Bailey PB 20.17.

1000 m:  Abubaker Kaki’s
world record attempt ended up a world leading, meeting record and fastest
run ever on US soil time of 2:13.62. Second Lalang 2:14.83.

Bowerman mile:  The signature
Bowerman mile saw no less than 10 athletes dip under four minutes with Kenyan
Asbel Kiprop taking the win in 3:49.75 over Moroccan Amine Laalou who posted PB
3:50.22 in his first mile. World Champ Kamel did not finish. University of
Oregon star Andrew Wheating delighted the home crowd by breaking Joaquin Cruz’
long standing University of Oregon mile record on the very last day Wheating
was wearing the school colours (3:51.74 as fifth). In two races 20 men went
under 4 minutes. Young Australian Gregson improved to 3:53.19 win the first
race.

5000 m: Also a meeting record for Tariku Bekele in the 5000m,
his time of 12:58.94 just overtook compatriot Dejen Gebremeskel (12:59.30).
First ever sub 13 in
USA. Merga third 13:00.18, Solinsky 7th 13:08 as best US, he faded in last
parts.

110 m H: David Oliver blew his competition
away with a super fast 12.90
in the 110H (+1.6), a time that equals the American
record and is the fourth fastest time ever. It is also the fastest time ever
run on American soil and of course a world leader and meet record. To note
PB of Artur Noga of Poland as 5th (13.29, second fastest in Europe this year).

Long Jump: The men’s long jump saw Irving Saladino take the win in
846 (+3.2), with Dwight Phillips in second (841, +1.4) and Chinese Li Jinzhe in
third (829+3.5).

Shot Put: Christian Cantwell got a strong performance with
a throw of 22.41, a world leading put and a new meeting record.
His third best of mark of the career. Second, back over a meter, was Dylan
Armstrong with 21.33.

Discus Throw: Malachowski 67.66 over Kovago 67.55. Then two US
throwers Young and Malone beat other European stars Kanter and Alekna.

Women

100 m:  Another World leader
and meeting record for Veronica Campbell-Brown in the 100m with an excellent
time of 10.78 (+0.8, her lifetime best she was waiting since 2005) , second was
Olympic champion Shelly-An Fraser in 10.82 and third Carmelita Jeter in 10.83.  Nigerian NCAA Champ Okagbare as fifth 11.03
PB.

400 m: Allyson Felix narrowly won the 400m in 50.27 over Amantle
Montsho (50.30) and Shericka Williams (50.31).

800 m:  A special world
leading performance was set by Russian Mariya Savinova who clocked 1:57.56 in
the 800m to break legendary Maria Mutola’s meeting record by 0.01. Nancy Langat
clocked 1:57.75 PB  and Janet Jepkosgei
1:57.84.  Fourth Wright 1:58.22 PB, nine
sub 2 minutes.

5000 m: Tirunesh Dibaba convincingly won after NY also here the
5000m in a new meeting record of 14:34.07, Shalane Flanagan crossed the
line second in 14:49.08.

Steeple: Kenyan Milcah Cheiywa(9:26.70, first MR at the distance)
took the victory over Spanish world champion Marta Dominguez (9:29.61).

400 m Hurdles: Lashinda Demus clocked
a new meeting record in the 400H with her victory in 53.03. Second Spencer
53.78 also impressive.

Pole Vault: Fabianna Murer won the women’s pole vault in count-back
over world champ Rogowska, both 458. World leader Suhr nh at 458.

Triple Jump: Nadezha Alekhina jumped a meeting record in the
triple jump with 14.62 (-0.4). Canadian record for Charles (13.99, 4th).

Javelin: Kara Patterson threw the second furthest throw ever in the
US with 65.90, also a meeting record for her. Sensational win over
Slovenian Ratej (64.40) and world record holder Spotakova (61.12).

Hammer Throw: Tatyana Lysenko (75.98) performed a meeting
record in the hammer throw to beat out German Betty Heidler (74.87).

OTHER TOP
RESULTS

INGOLSTADT (GER, Jul 3): Pole
vault meet winner Malte Mohr cleared 572 and beat home elite.

UDEN (NED, Jul 3): Former Dutch
European junior medalist Susan Kuijken impressed with 4:06.29 at 1500 m at Mondo Keien meet
and achieved her second best time of the career. Jamaican Ainsley Waugh scored
a nice sprint double with 10.33 and 20.66 in nearly wind-less
conditions. Also Briton Joice Maduaka was a double winner after 11.57 and 23.35 in women sprints.
High quality 49.04 by US Justin Gaymon in the 400 m hurdles. Another
British win for Graham Hedman at 400
m 46.39. In solid 800 m race home stars Arnoud Okken (1:46.58)
and Rob Lathouwers (1:46.68) were beaten by South African Windy Jonas
(1:46.55). Canadian Nicole Forrester improved her season best with clearing 192 in high jump. German
Denise Hinrichs was the best in shot put (18.33). Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand
posted 2:01.78 to win the 800
m.

CORK (IRL, Jul 3): The 59th
Cork City Sports meet registered fine high jump with 227 by US Dusty Jonas over
Trevor Barry of Bahamas. Australian Luke Adams achieved 10:59.04 in 3000 m walk ahead of home
Jamie Costin (11:12.02 PB). Women walking world medalist Olive Loughnane won
the 3000 m
walk in 12:51.06. German Kathrin Klaas won the hammer (71.06) and US Liz
Patterson the high jump (190). Briton Chris Tomlinson leaped to 786 (+2.0) in
long jump. Erison Hurtault of Dominica clocked 45.94 at 400 m. Sprints were hampered
by strong head-winds. Jamaican Sheri-Ann Brooks won the 100 m in 11.61 (-3.6),
Cydonie Mothersill the 200 m
in 23.36 (-4.5). Canadian olympic medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep clocked
13.21 against -4.5 wind. In men´s sprints Jarred Conaughton of Canada got 10.55
(-4.2) and in the 200 m
Brendan Christian of Antigua beat in close finish home star Paul Hession, both
21.07 (-6.1). Interestingly in women´s 100 m former world champion Lauryn Williams was
running with 12.14 as 7th.

PARDUBICE (CZE, Jul 3): Jan
Veleba improved Czech 100 m
record by 0.01 to 10.23 (+1.0) at 3rd round of Czech Clubs League. In the fast
race also second Lukas Milo achieved 10.39 and third Libor Zilka 10.41. Also in
women´s race Barcelona qualifier and PB for Katerina Cechova 11.44 (+1.0).
Another standard for European Championships by Jan Marcell in discus (62.54).
Also to note 20.53 in
shot put by Antonin Zalsky, 50.60 for Josef Prorok at 400 m hurdles and return of
Iva Strakova in high jump after injury (188).

MANNHEIM (GER, Jul 3): Fast
senior sprints at Juniors Gala meet which also had invitational men and women
events. German male sprinters impressed in relay (38.50) and also individually
as Tobias Unger clocked lifetime best 10.14 (+1.2) ahead of Marius Broening
10.26, Christian Blum 10.27 and Stefan Schwab 10.30. Additionally Alexander
Kosenkow got 10.26 (+1.8) in heats. Alexander John won the 110 m hurdles in 13.47 (+0.4)
beating Marlon Odom (13.50, PB).  Senior
women sprinters achieved 43.64
in the relay and Anne Mollinger and Yasmin Kwadwo both
career best 11.33 (0.0) individually. Nadine Hildebrand posted personal best
13.00 (+1.0) at 100 m
hurdles and in pole vault Anna Battke cleared 460 ahead of Kristina Gadschiew
450. High quality also junior sprints. French Jimmy Vicaut got 10.17 (+1.5) in
finals and even faster 10.16 (+0.8) in heats. It is personal best for him,
worlds fastest junior 2010 and he still will be eligible for junior class in
2011. Second Briton Deji Tobias 10.30 (PB) and third Julien Watrin Belgian
junior record 10.39. British junior women talent Jodie Williams achieved 11.26
(+1.0) to win. In junior hurdles French Pascal Martinot-Lagarde won in personal
best 13.37 (+1.4) as the British favorite Jack Meredith was disqualified (13.46 in heats). Second
Vladimir Vukicevic from Norwegian hurdling family got 13.49, but national
record 13.42 (+0.6) in heats. German junior teams posted fast relay times 39.91
(boys) and 44.22 (girls).

SANTO DOMINGO (DOM, Jul
3):  Trinidad & Tobago prevented
Jamaica from sweeping the sprint relays on second day of the 18th Central
American and Caribbean Junior track and field Championships. Jamaica’s girls,
U-17 (45.67) and U-20 (45.03), along with the U-17 boys (40.88) 4x100m teams,
set the stage for another sprint sweep, but the big boys faltered at the last
hurdle of the day. The U-20 boys quartet of Bernado Brady, Julian Forte,
Jefferey Josephs and Brandon Tomlinson failed to stop Trinidad & Tobago,
who won in a new Championship record 39.77. Jamaica did 40.07 for 2nd.
Writes TrackAlerts.

GOLD COAST (AUS, Jul 4):
Athletics Australia reports that Commonwealth Games marathon nominee Lisa
Weightman has smashed an 18-year mark in the women’s half marathon event run as
part of the 32nd Gold Coast Airport Marathon festival. The Victorian covered
the flat, windless 21.1km course in 1:09.00 to steal over half a minute
from Midori Fumoto’s previous race record of 1:09.38 set in 1992. It was the
second long-standing record broken in as many days after Commonwealth Games
men’s marathon nominee Michael Shelley’s obliteration of a 14-year mark in
yesterday’s 10km event (28:53). Fellow Delhi-bound marathon men Jeff Hunt
(1:03.18) and Martin Dent (1:03.21) took first and second places respectively
in men’s half marathon ahead of Japan’s Hironori Arai (1:03.24). Marathon
winner Kenyan James Kariuki got 2:13:53 ahead of his team-mate Peter Kiprotich
2:15:47. Japanese Yoshida Kaori won the women category in 2:31:33 with best
Australian Sarah McRae fourth (2:39:41).

HANOI (VIE, Jul 3): Qatari high
jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim who is during the year also training in Sweden
cleared during 3rd day of Asian Junior Championships new senior record for his
country 231 cm.
Chinese triple jumper Sun Yan leaped to 13.75 m.

BUCURESTI (ROU, Jul 3): At
national GP meet Adelina Gavrila achieved 14.40 (+0.8) in triple jump and
Bianca Perie 69.26 in
hammer throw.

OORDEGEM (BEL, Jul 3): Borlee
brothers were the stars of the Leon Buyle Memorial meet. Jonathan won
the 400 m in 45.17 and Kevin the 200 m in 20.91 (+0.5). John
Cheruiyot Kemboi won fast 3000 m in 7:40.11 ahead of Yusuf Biwott
7:40.49. Home record
holder Svetlana Bolshakova won the triple with 14.13 (+0.1). US
Jonathan
Johnson was the best in the 800 m (1:46.99) and Aziz Zakari of Ghana
was the fastest in
the 100 m
(10.30, -0.4). Another home athlete Eline Berings clocked 13.21 (-0.1)
at 100 m hurdles. Cathrine
Larsasen again improved her Norwegian pole vault record to 434 cm.

KYIV (UKR, Jul 3): Yulia
Krevsun won the 800 m
at the Ukrainian Championships with 2:00.18 ahead of Olga Zavgorodna 2:00.87
and Tetyana Petlyuk 2:00.88. In other strong women races during third day of
the competition Anna Titimets won the 400 m hurdles in 55.59 ahead of Anna Yaroshchyk
55.60. Tetyana Holovchenko was the best in the 10 000 m (32:46.42).
Valeriya Mara improved to 9:38.91 to win the steeple. 200 m sprints were family
affair as Oleksiy Remen won the male race (21.27, 0.0) and Mariya Remen the
female one (23.16, +0.3). Dmytro Demyanyuk cleared 226 to win the high jump on
count-back over Oleksandr Nartov. Vira Rebryk got the expected javelin title
(57.97) and Maksim Mazuryk won the pole vault (550).

SAPPORO (JPN, Jul 4):  Kenyan Cyrus Njui, the 2006 Sapporo half
marathon champion, won the men’s division, while Yuri Kano, the 2008 champion,
won the women’s division of the Sapporo International Half Marathon. Informs
Ken Nakamura. Both Njui and Kano pulled away from their final challengers in
the last 2 km
over the final uphill leading up to the finish line in the Maruyama stadium in
Sapporo.  Njui pulled away from Martin
Mathathi, running his second half marathon and Samuel Ndungu. “My coach and
I am discussing about the possibility of making marathon debut at Hokkaido
Marathon (in August),”  said Njui. Three-time
defending champion Mekubo Mogusu faded to fifth on the men’s side, while the
early leader, Obare Doricah faded to sixth in the women’s side. But, the Kenyan
dominance continued on the men’s side, for Kenyans, who lives in Japan, has now
won the men’s race for the last 16 straight years. Total of 389 runners started
the 53rd annual race, the race which doubles as the selection race for the
upcoming World Half Marathon Championships for Japanese runners. The quite
strong field including Abel Kirui and Vincent Kipruto was assembled but
unfortunately, neither Kirui nor Kipruto was a factor in the race.
Furthermore, one of the invited runners, Mara Yamauchi was forced to pull out from
the race due to an injury. The weather was hot and humid, and thus not very
conductive to fast distance race, and the winning time, 1:01:20 for Njui and
1:11:46 for Kano, reflected the weather. Second Mathathi 1:01:32, third Ndungu
1:01:35. Azausa Njori as second women achieved 1:12:02 ahead best Kenyan
Flomena Cheyech 1:12:27.