BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE ALEXANDER STADIUM IN BIRMINGHAM

 With a just a few months to the Rio Olympics, things are starting to heat up in the Diamond League.

Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto won the men’s 3000metres steeplechase in 8mins and 12 seconds.  Although he missed out on going under the 8-minute barrier, this was his 4^th Diamond League victory in a row. The Kenyans have dominated this event in the past Olympics and they did not disappoint here as they not only made a clean sweep with Paul Koech and Barnabas Kipyego in second and third places respectively, Kenyan athletes also finished in 4^th to 6^th place.

Kim Collins, who recently set a personal best of 9.93 seconds at the age of 40, won the men’s 100 metres in 10.11 seconds.  Although he was happy with his time, his mood soon changed as he broke down in the media mixed zone. This was because of the fact that he cannot run for his country St Nevis and Kitts due to the ongoing dispute with the Athletics Federation, which also prevented him from competing at the London 2012 games.

The 1500 metres was won by double World Championship Silver medalist, Asbel Kiprop of Kenya with a time of 3mins.29.33seconds, which is the fastest time in the world this year.

Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi won the women’s 800metres with an impressive time of 1min.56.92seconds.  Only one person has run faster than her this year.

American Kendra Harrison won the Women’s 100metres hurdles in 12.46 seconds, thus laying down a marker that she would be the won to beat at the Rio Olympics later this year. Her fellow Americans Brianna Rollins, Kristi Castlin and 2008 Olympic Champion Dawn Nelson-Harper, finished second, third and fourth respectively.  The current Olympic champion Sally Pearson finished down in 7^th place and will require a lot of work to get back to the top.

Traditionally the Men’s 100 metres is usually the showcase event at the Olympic games, however this year the 400metres event could match it.  Kirani James won the Diamond League event here in an impressive 44.23 seconds, in response to the time Wade Van Nierkerk set early this year.  Lashawn Merrit will also have his say. Any one of them could win the event.  Isaac Makwala of Botswana came second in 44.97 seconds.

The impressive English Gardiner won the Women’s 100metres, in 11.02 seconds. Dafne Schippers was second in 11.09 seconds and Long Jump World Champion Tianna Bartoletta was third in 11.11 seconds.  British sprint sensation Dina Asher-Smith was fourth.

Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot won the women’s 5000 metres in 8:31:13 and said: “It was a very good time but I was not expecting to run that time in Birmingham. It is good to run a meeting record and I think that is my best time ever in the UK.

Last two weeks, I have earned the hat trick of Diamond League points; today I wanted it to be my fourth consecutive win.”

In the rarely run 600metres Olympic Champion David Rudisha left the field for dead as he won in 1:13.10.  On this form it appears that he is on course to make a successful defence of his 800metre title as he led the field from start to finish with textbook front running as he did when he won at London 2012. He said: “I’m happy with my performance, I have nothing to complain about. This race was very important for my Olympic preparations I wish I had run a little quicker, I didn’t do 400m this year in Australia but to run 600m here was part of my plan and preparation for Rio. My form is coming along nicely and I’m looking forward to the upcoming meets.”

  In the final event of the day Mo Farah won the 3000 metres in 7:32:62 to set a new British Record. Mathew Kiptanui of Kenya was second and his compatriot Hillary Kipkorir Maiyo was third.