Mohamed Katir and Stewart McSweyn have had another awesome battle at the 2021 Muller British Grand Prix. Just days ago Katir just beat McSweyn over 1500m in Monaco, now he has won again in England. The fast finishing Spaniard is in the process of re-writing the Spanish record books. In Monaco his 3:28.76 broke Fermin Cacho's 1500m record. Cacho won the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, with similar finishing kicks, it wouldn't shock to see history repeat. Katir's winning time in Gatehead of 7:27.64 is a meet record and takes him to number 15 on the all-time rankings list.
The final Diamond League before the Tokyo Olympics is on today, July 13, in Gateshead, England. In what shapes up to be a vital hit-out before the Olympics, some key names are lining up for a final test before the big dance.
In a much-anticipated race at last Friday's Monaco Diamond League, Sifan Hassan took on Faith Kipyegon over 1500m. Hassan, the 2019 world 1500m champ, had recently announced she would concentrate on the 5000m and 10,000 at the Olympics. Kipyegon, the 2016 Olympic 1500m champ, is all about the 1500m and will look to defend her title come Tokyo:
Scottish star Laura Muir has broken the Scottish 800m record at the Monaco Diamond League. The qualified veterinarian stopped the clock at 1:56.73 to outback fellow Brit Jemma Reekie (1:56.96).
Stewart McSweyn has made history by becoming the first Australian to break the 3:30 barrier for the 1500m at the Monaco Diamond League. He has done what huge names such as Ryan Gregson, Simon Doyle and Craig Mottram could not, break 3:30 for 1500m. McSweyn clocked 3:29.51 to smash his own PB by a second and break Nick Willis's Oceania record (3:29.66)
Stacked fields, for what is traditional one of the hottest meets of the year. Our snap preview is below:
Athletics Australia have filled the quotas and picked a full team for the fast appraoching Tokyo Olympics.
Steeplechaser Matthew Clarke, is off to his first Olympics.
Clarke dropped a bomb a few weeks ago when he managed a 10 second PB to get within 0.62 seconds of the Olympic Qualifying time of 8:22.00. Clarke clocked 8.22.62 in Townsville, oh so close to the Olympic standard.
Giles has sent a message to his Olympic competitors, that he is in form, and ready to challenge for a medal at the fast-approaching Tokyo Games. Giles has smashed an in-form Clayton Murphy, who is red hot after winning the U.S. Track and Field Olympic trials. Many Americans have been assuming Murphy would move into favourite consideration for Tokyo. But he finished 3rd in Hungry, outclassed by two Olympic threats from the UK, Elliot Giles, and Jamie Webb.
Kiwi miler Nick Willis, is off to his fifth Olympic Games at 38-years-of-age. Willis is New Zealand's only two-time Olympic medalist in the 1500m; he won the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. He is also the 2006 Commonwealth Games 1500m champion.
