Key events
I guess Sydney’s next challenge will be the world record; I’ve not a clue what she’ll come up with after that. I actually thought Naser would push her harder – she might want to rethink her strategy of going out like billy-o – but Paulino ran a terrific race from the outside lane, and gave the champ a proper test.
We really are living in an era of special athletes. Mondo, Faith and Sydney are just unbelievably good, even compared to others who are also of that level, and they’ve plenty left to amaze us.
Phew! The speed at which these races come is ruining my Pseud’s Corner entries, I’m afraid, but Collen Kebinatshipi, what a talent. There’s something so precious about a youngster announcing themselves to the world, and I you can tell this particular one knows he’s special. He might’ve eased up in the semi, when he ran shockingly fast, but he knew he had plenty left, and there was no point in the final when it looked like someone else could even challenge him. I wish I could watch him go again, immediately.
Amber Anning of GB, the world indoor champ, came a creditable fifth. She ran a season’s best and tells BBC she’s a bit disappointed, but made great progression through the rounds and was glad to be out there taking part in history.
The Diamond League gave her a lot of confidence as she was running against the best; she’s got lots more to give so is looking forward to resting up and going again next season.
It’s so rare to see a runner so fast and so stylish; she could run on jelly and leave no footprints. The women’s world record, set by GDR’s Marita Koch in 1985, is not relied upon by all, and various authorities on the matter reckon it was run with assistance. This from Sean Ingle’s primer:
That sounds ominous for Koch, who has long been alleged to be part of East Germany’s state-sponsored doping programme, in books and newspaper articles. When asked about it by the BBC in 2014, she replied: “I don’t have to prove anything to myself. I have a clear conscience. I can only repeat myself … I never tested positive, I never did anything which I should not have done at that time.”
Koch did acknowledge the fact that the record would ultimately be overtaken, though, saying that “at some point, that time will come”. It could even be on Thursday.
Well, it’s surely now – and finally – on borrowed time.
McLauglin-Levrone is simply one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever seen and ever will see. She does everything perfectly and her winning time is the second fastest in history, in an event she’s only just taken up, after destroying the 400m hurdles. What on earth is she going to do next?
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of USA wins gold in the women’s 400m in a championship record time of 47.78.
Paulino of Dominca takes silver, Naser of Bahrain bronze.
AND HERE COMES SYDNEY! Naser is beaten, but can Paulino come back?
Off they go, Naser out fast, but McLaughlin-Levrone is also at good pace, Paulino too!
McLaughlin-Levrone is a once in a lifetime kind of athlete. It’ll take something amazing to beat her, but Naser is in tremendous shape; she’ll go out fast, I think, but can she maintain her pace with a genius speed-floating behind her?
Right, time for the race we’ve all been waiting for: the final of the women’s 400m. Paulino, the Olympic champ, is on the outside after a dicky semi; Mclaughlin-Levrone goes in five, Amber Anning of GB, the world indoor champ, is in six and Naser of Bahrain in seven.
Leyanis Pérez Hernández of Cuba wins gold in the women’s triple jump with 14.94
Thea Lafon of Dominnica takes second and Yulimar Rojas, out for two years, takes second for Venezuela.
Here comes Rojas, the Olympic and world champ, with one go to seize gold … and it’s not enough.
In the women’s triple jump, Lafond of Dominica is taking her final jump, seeking to improve on bronze … and she pulls out a monster! It’s 14.89, enough for move her up to second, with Rojas and Perez Hernandez still to come.
Botswanan athletics is having a proper moment. And Letsile Tebogo, a comparative veteran at 22, is still to come in the final of the 200m.
We might just’ve witnessed the coming-out party of a new superstar. Kebinatshipi is only 21, and has so much improving left to do. But his speed, his speed endurance, and his big-race temperament are right there.
Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana wins the men’s 400m in 43.53
A fantastic run! Richards of T&T takes silver, with Ndori of Botswana bronze.
Kebinatshipi looks stronger in the home straight Nene has gone!
Nene is off quickly, Kebinatshipi taking it more gradually. Will Nene tie up?
They take their marks…
I say that, but Jacory Patterson of USA was great in the first round, then less so in the semi. If he finds his best work, he’s not out of this despite the lane three draw.
ANITDONTSTOP. It’s time for the men’s 400m final, with Nakajima of Japan the local favourite. Nene of South Africa, a beautiful mover, is a threat for gold; it’s between him and Kebinatshipi, I think.
Back to the women’s triple jump, Perez Hernandez of Cuba still leads, having extended her first round 14.85 to 14.94. But here comes Rojas, second, in round five … and nothing doing.
Attaouoi wins in 1.43.18; Wanyonyi is second, with third and fourth, Anderson and Masalela, the two fastest losers. Brazier of USA, one of the medal favourites, is out.
This is close until Attaouoi of Spain suddenly steps on the gas, moving metres clear in very little time. Wanyonyi will follow him home.
At the bell, Meziane of France leads, from Masalela of Botswana, from Wanyonyi of Kenya and Anderson of Jamaica.
Our final 800m semi is under way and the rain, we’re told, has relaxed a little – but it’s still wet underfoot.
As for the women’s 400m, it might be the race of the meet. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a one-off, a genius of the track and an almost perfect athlete. On the one hand, how can she possibly win an event she’s only just come to, when the competition is so tough; on the other, how can she ever lose?
The races come so quickly, there’s barely time to amp them up, then reflect. But I can’t wait for the 400m finals and hope the rain doesn’t ruin how fast they might be.
I was seriously impressed with Kebinatshipi in the semis, and if he can deliver something similar, it’ll take a great run to beat him, but Nene has one in him.
McPhillips broke the Irish record with that run and looked absolutely nails down the final 30m. If he’s got another big run in him, you never know.
McPhillips wins in 1.43.18; Burgin is second, while Brazier fights back to make third and might be OK – that was a pretty quick race, so he’s quicker than those who finished outside the top two in the first semi.
Burgin leads around the bend, he’s safe and Brazier is nowhere; McPhillips of Ireland is coming through and he’s going to win.
Pernici of Italy bullies his way through bodies to the front, Burgin on his shoulder and taking the lead at the bell – the pace was too slow for his requirements.
Pattinson is really disappointed, saying he should be good enough to get through a race like that – he had lots more running in his legs, but gambled to stick on the inside, thinking it’d open up, and it didn’t.
In heat two, we’ve got Max Burgin of GB – he’s the third-fastest in the field, after Gabriel Tual of France and Donovan Brazier of USA.
With only two qualifying by right, this is a proper nasty finish … but Arop wins in 1.45.09, Sedjati of Algeria second. English and Wyderka are third and fourh.
