Lavillenie 6.03m MR, Schippers 10.92 EL, the view from Europe, by Alfons Juck, EME News

LONDON (GBR): The second day of the Anniversary Games London IAAF Diamond League played out in much better weather conditions than the first and Lavillenie took full advantage. The Olympic champion cleared 603 before attempting to move to second on the world outdoor all-time list at 610. His 603 best was one of two meeting records during the day, the other being Elaine Thompson’s 22.10 (-0.3) in the 200m. The women’s 100m had two national records, Dafne Schippers improving the Dutch mark and Dina Asher-Smith the British one. Canada’s Shawn Barber also set a new national mark in the pole vault.

Event by Event

Men

400m: Niekerk timed it well, moving up the field around the final bend before moving away in the straight to win clearly in 44.63 and move closer to James in the DR. World leader Makwala powered through the first 300m put faded in the final straight to drop to 4th in 45.29. US champ Verburg (45.01) and Brown (45.22) were in between.

800m (non-DL): Amos continued his win streak against Rudisha but it was close, 1:44.57 to 1:44.67. Interestingly, Rudisha did not go to the front, but settled behind Berian. The Kenyan hit the front down the straight but Amos grinded out the win. Kszczot was also ahead of the rest with 1:44.85. 

Mile: Kiprop led the pack, not following the pacers. Then with just over two laps to go he was slightly clipped and drifted to the back. One lap later he was back towards the front. He launched his kick with 100m to go, getting enough of a gap he could ease down in winning in 3:54.87. Centrowitz (3:55.03) beat Souleiman (3:55.06) for the first time. After running the 3000m yesterday, Lagat ran 3:57.91 World Masters record.

Steeple: Birech and C Kipruto were level as they crossed the final barrier, but Kipruto had the better sprint, winning in 8:09.47 to Birech’s 8:09.81. Birech still has a comfortable DR lead. 

400mH (non-DL): Tinsley held the lead down the home straight to win in 49.02. Van Zyl was his closest challenger, finishing in 49.27. Former world champion Greene ran 49.85 for 5th, his best since 2013. Dutch was a disappointing 7th with 50.04.

PV (non-DL): Rescheduled to early in Saturday’s session after Friday’s downpour, the pole vault took centre stage and the athletes thrived. Lavillenie is well and truly back, clearing 603 first attempt, his second best ever before attempting 610. Barber showed no jetlag after travelling from Toronto, getting over a Canadian NR of 593 on his third attempt. Dutra cleared 581 for third, his second best ever.

LJ: Rutherford fouled his first three attempts to the dismay of the home fans, but then managed three 8+ efforts, 8.18 (0.0) his best. It was not enough to win though, as two went further. Visser led from round two with 8.21 (0.5), but Dendy went out to 838 (-0.2) in the final round to snatch the win, just 1cm from his best. Mokoena (816, -0.3) and C. Taylor followed (7.95). 

4x100m (non-DL): There was a thrilling close, with Vicaut pulling back a good bit of ground on Ujah, but he couldn’t quite catch the Briton who stopped the clock at 38.32 (Kilty, Aikines-Aryeetey, Ellington, Ujah). The French team (Vincent, Biron, John, Vicaut) timed 38.34.
 
Women

100m: Schippers improved her Dutch NR and EL to 10.92 (0.1), moving to 12th on the European all-time list. Okagbare ran 10.98 for second over Ahoure (11.01) and Asher-Smith (11.06). There was also a NR in the heats, Asher-Smith improving her British mark to 10.99 (0.1). Schippers (10.99, -0.3) warmed up for her NR run with a 10.99 (-0.3) clocking too, over Okagbare (11.00), who draws level with SAFP on DR points, but still sits second.

200m (non-DL): Thompson made a great transition onto the straight taking her to the front and she then extended that lead to win in 22.10 (-0.3), a MR and big PB. Bowie (22.32) was the only one close. McGrone followed up her Monaco win with a 22.70 for third.

800m: Hassan challenged Sum on the back straight of the final lap by moving to the lead, but Sum had the power in the final 100m to move away in the final straight, winning in 1:58.44. Hassan hung on for second with a PB of 1:59.46, the third fastest in Europe this year. Sharp (1:59.57) pipped Ludlow (1:59.58) on the line. 

5000m: Huddle followed the pacer and forged a lead of over 50m over the pack led by Kisa and Cherono. It looked like Huddle would run away with it, but Cherono closed the gap, catching with one lap left. They battled until 100m to go when Cherono pulled away to win in 14:54.81. Huddle ran 14:57.42 for 2nd, with Kisa next in 15:10.66.

PV: Kiriakopoulou cleared 479 first attempt, while Sidorova made it on her second (PB). The bar went up to 486 and neither could clear, meaning the Greek extends her DR lead. Stefanidi cleared 462 for third. After competing at the Pan Ams, Payne and Suhr did not start.

LJ (non-DL): Just minutes after Asher-Smith’s NR in the 100m heats, Proctor also got in on the act, setting a NR of 698 (0.5) in the final round. Sawyers’ best (660, 1.2) also came in round 6 with J Veldakova matching her twin sister’s performance yesterday, taking third with 651 (-0.4).

SP: Carter was a class apart, every one of her six attempts would have been enough to win; her best was 19.74. Adams was 5th in her return in Paris, she moved up to 2nd here with 18.59. Borel (18.53) was close behind.

JT: Palameika edged world record holder Spotakova by 1cm to take her maiden DL win, 65.01 to 65.00, season’s bests for bo