On the track
Very little was missing and the spectators at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco would have seen a world record. In the 1500m, Faith Kipyegon was on course for a new record throughout the race. But at the finish, the 28-year-old Kenyan was just 0.30 seconds behind the 7-year-old world record set by Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba. This had also run its fabulous time in Monaco in 2015. Needless to say, Kipyegon set a new Kenyan record and a world record for the year.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also conjured up a world record for the year on the track at the Stade Louis II. The Jamaican ran over 100 m in 10.62 seconds. This is the sixth fastest time ever over this distance. Fraser-Pryce himself ran even faster (10.60). Compatriot Shericka Jackson (10.71) and Marie-Josée Ta Lou from Ivory Coast (10.72) were also completely convincing. Both athletes had never run so fast before.
Noah Lyles was only slightly behind Fraser-Pryce in his 200m dash. The American set a meeting record of 19.46 seconds. He had only run faster in his fable run in Eugene (USA) (in 19.31), which brought him the world championship title.
Dominic Lobalu surprised everyone in Stockholm at the end of June. The South Sudanese refugee, who has been training in St. Gallen for three years, surprisingly ran to victory over 3000 m at the Diamond League meeting in the Swedish capital. He did not want to succeed in such a coup in Monaco. In 7:31.54 minutes, he came within 2 seconds of his time in Stockholm. But this time this value was “only” enough for 5th place. Winner Thierry Ndikumwenayo from Burundi set a new world record time of 7:25.93 over the non-Olympic distance.
The Swiss in Monaco
- Women’s Pole Vault
Angelica Moser was the only Swiss starter in the principality. Their pole vault competition didn’t last long, however. At 4.36 m, the Zurich native recorded her only valid attempt of the evening. At the next height (4.51 m) Moser tore 3 times and was eliminated. In the field of 10, the 24-year-old shared 7th place. Nina Kennedy from Australia won with a jump of 4.66 m. Sandi Morris (USA) and Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE) also managed this height, but made more failed attempts than Kennedy in the competition.
In the oval
The men’s long jump competition was an extremely close affair. Maykel Masso secured the victory with a jump of 8.35 m. For the Cuban, this value meant a best performance of the season. Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) and Marquis Dendy (USA) came in 2nd and 3rd. Both jumpers jumped to 8.31 m. Because both athletes also got the same distance (8.30 m) in their second-best attempt, the third-best jump decided in favor of the Greek. Dendy at least secured the unofficial award for best outfit: