BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT THE LONDON STADIUM

The London Anniversary Games/ Diamond League, which usually takes place over two days was crammed into a single Sunday here this year due to the World Championships taking place in London next month.

Hellen Obiri of Kenya won the women’s mile in 4:16:56.  Pacemakers were recruited in the hope that local girl Laura Muir would set a PB/National record. No one told Obiri though who sat behind her and went past her with 80 metres left. Talk about a plan coming to fruition. She said: “The race went as I hoped.  I was strong.  I was very confident going into the race. 

Laura was very strong but I went with her and tried to stay as close as I could. I knew I had a good finish.  It was important to come and do well in a Diamond League meeting. The track and the crowd are fantastic.”

Dina Asher-Smith who was looking to convince the selectors to pick her for the 100 metres could only manage 11.51seconds and failed to qualify for the final. Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor came third in the 100 metres final in 10.99 seconds behind Elaine Thompson and Daphne Schippers who finished first and second respectively. Okagbare who has had a disappointing few years on the track will hope that she can get back to where she was before the new kids on the block showed up.

CJ Ujah won the men’s 100 metres in 10.02 seconds, which was a season’s best time. Ujah who is one of a select few British athletes who have dipped under ten seconds took the race by the scruff of the neck from the start. Once he hit the front at around 60 metres he never relinquished the lead. Ujah who missed the British Trials last week due to cramp said: “I really wanted to come out here in London to put up a show. It was important to show what I was capable of today, especially with London in four weeks’ time. I saw today as something of a rehearsal, so obviously it was great to get the win.

You can’t dictate these races, I just had to be patient and work my way past people. I’m in shape for a PB – it’s just a matter of time. I knew I was in good shape at the trials, but I showed form today and that counts.”

James Dasaolu, who is also of Nigerian parentage like Ujah came 5^th in 10.06 seconds. He said: “A season’s best and my quickest time in four years – I feel like I’m rounding into shape just in time for London. My start was important today, but I feel like I got I left in the blocks a little after the false start. I want to make a final and push for a medal in London.” Dasaolu is the second fastest

British sprinter of all time behind only Linford Christie with a time of 9.91seconds.

Botswana middle distance runner Nigel Amos showed here why he would be the main rival of David Rudisha in the 800metres at London 2017 World Championships. He won the London Diamond League race in with a time of 1.43.18 seconds, which is the fastest time in the world this year. He said: “That was a great race; I stood up, was strong, and I managed to hold on for the win. I see each and every race as a baby step towards the world championships. The extra points for the Diamond League are a added bonus – I have great memories of here, and the stiff competition pushed me to another run I’ll remember.”

Nigel Amos of Botswana showed here today that he would be the main rival of David Rudisha in the 800metres at London 2017 World Championships. He won the London Diamond League race in with a time of 1.43.18 seconds, which is the fastest time in the world this year. He said: “That was a great race; I stood up, was strong, and I managed to hold on for the win. I see each and every race as a baby step towards the world championships. The extra points for the Diamond League are a added bonus – I have great memories of here, and the stiff competition pushed me to another run I’ll remember.”

World record holder Aries Merritt, who was out last year due to a kidney transplant won the 110m hurdles in 13.09s, sending out a message to his rivals that he is nearly back to his best and ready to carry on where he left off in 2015.  He said:” I was pleased with my finish but my start wasn’t so good.   I still have things to work on.   I need to work on my speed and to get that start sorted.  I feel strong.  I am sure I can get under 13 seconds for sure. I feel I am running well with four weeks to go – I have been doing speed work for two weeks now so it is starting to show.   I am really happy with how things are with my training.  The fans here are amazing and the Stadium is incredible.”     

Kendra Harrison won the women’s 100metres hurdles in 12.39 seconds. Harrison who set a World Record on this track last year but missed out on the Olympics having failed to qualify from the American trials showed that she is also ready to defend her world title.  

Allyson Felix, who is the women’s most medalled athlete at the World Championships (and joint with Usain Bolt) won the 400 metres in 49.65s.  Felix who has won major honours over the years has never managed to win a 400m title. She might just do it here next month. She is rated as the greatest female sprinter over 100, 200 and 400 metres.

Mo Farah ran his last Anniversary Games race in London and won the 3000 metres. He showed that yet again he is in shape to defend his World Championship titles over 5000m and 10,000m.  He will take some stopping next month.  He is Britain’s greatest long distance runner and arguably one of the best long distance runners of all time.