Doha Diamond League a Sizzling Prelude to the London 2012 Olympics?
Under the torrid sun of the Qatari desert a few world-class track and field athletes gathered yesterday.
And boy was it ever hot!
Oh...and the weather was warm too.
Never this early in May has the world witnessed such a display of August-like times and distances.
The 2012 kick-off of the Samsung Diamond League series in Doha could only be interpreted in two ways: 1) The athletes are on their way to a premature peak and will burn out before the Olympics; or 2) We are in store for an unprecedented show of excellence in London 2012.
I prefer to believe that the athletes and their handlers know what they're doing, and the latter will be true.
Men's Highlights
Men's 100-meters —American sprinter and former 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin (9.87) joined the sub-9.90 club for 2012, nipping Jamaica's Asafa Powell (9.88) at the line, becoming the latest serious challenger to defending champ Usain Bolt. Yohan Blake (9.84) and Walter Dix (9.85 wind-aided) are also in the early mix.
Men's 400-meters—Defending Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt (44.19) led four runners to sub-45 times and teased the magical sub-44 threshold in yet another display of early-season dominance. The 400m dash is an event that could use a fresh shot of pizazz, which has been in short supply since the Michael Johnson era and Merritt just might be the catalyst.
Men's 800-meters—Kenyan David Rudisha: Who else would you expect to impress us this early? His 1:43.10 victory only solidified his short odds of breaking his own world record (1:41.01) in this Olympic year.
Men's 1500-meters—Only 21 runners have dipped below 3:30 ever. And in Doha, two Kenyans (again!) did it yesterday. Silas Kiplagat (3:29.63) and Asbel Kiprop (3:29.78) made the race look like a sprint. For comparison (and to demonstrate East African dominance), the fastest American time this year is Russell Brown's 3:34.11.
Men's 3k Steeplechase—The ninth and 10th runners ever to finish under 8:00 crossed the line in the form of Kenyans Paul Koech (7:56.58) and Richard Mateelong (7:56.81). No one before has approached this time in early May. The Kenyans are ready, folks.
Women's Highlights
Women's 100-meters—Allyson Felix, especially noted for her long sprints, showed her emphasis on speed training by edging Jamaica's Victoria Campbell-Brown 10.92 to 10.94. This result may cause Felix to rethink her plans to double in the 200/400 and focus on the 100/200.
Women's 800-meters—Defending Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo (Kenya) is definitely back out of the shadows of her self-imposed isolation since Beijing. Not only is her 1:56.94 blitz the fastest ever early-May time, it carried six other runners to sub-2:00 finishes. Previously unheard of before May 15!
Women's 400-meter Hurdles—Jamaica's Melaine Walker sets yet another world best (54.62).
Women's Javelin—In a replay of last year's dramatic World Championship finals, Russia's Mariya Abakumova narrowly defeated her Czech rival, Barbora Spotakova, with a world-leading 219 - 4. Spotakova's 217 - 2 is not too shabby either and is currently second in the world.
The world of track and field couldn't ask for a better meet to set the tone for an incredible Olympic year. The next Diamond League stop is in Shanghai, China, May 19. Stay tuned.
View complete results of Doha meet here.
Subscribe to our free digital Olympics newsletter.
