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Stuart Weir
Guest
Novuna London Athletics Meet
All Diamond Leagues are equal, but some are more equal than others, as George Orwell almost said (Animal Farm, 1945). London is definitely more equal! A 59,000-capacity stadium sold out is unique to Diamond Leagues, and also the biggest attendance at a track meet this year.
The London Stadium was built for the 2012 Olympics and also hosted the 2017 World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships. For many, stepping into the stadium is to recall the amazing days of those three past events.
A two-hour Diamond League program was preceded by 100 minutes of pre-program, giving U18 and U20 club athletes as well as para-athletes an opportunity to compete in the national stadium in front of an appreciative crowd.
American athletes at Diamond Leagues often describe 2026 as an off year. Not for British athletes with a Commonwealth Games starting in a week and a Europeans in early August. With that in mind, in addition to the individual events, there were two sprint relays – to give an opportunity for baton-dropping practice ahead of the competitions.
There was high-quality competition in all aspects of track and field; there were British successes and British disappointments.
Josh Kerr’s well-advertised world mile record attempt was successful – see separate post. Keely Hodkinson won an 800m race, and yes, the Pope is still a Catholic. Keely’s time was 1:56.21, ahead of Femke Broeders-Bol’s 1:56.46, in a race where the top 7 were sub 2 mins.
Keely Hodgkinson takes 800m in London over Femke Bol, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Julien Alfred beat Gabby Thomas for the second week in a row, 21.66 to 21.88, with Dina Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt unable to break 22.
A victory in London for Julien Alfred, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Max Burgin (1:43.30) ran an excellent 800m and beat Wanyonyi but could only finish third behind Brandon Miller (1:42.19).
Brandon Miller, US takes his first Diamond League official race, in PB 1:42.19! Mark English, Max Burgin follow, photo by Getty Images, for British Athletics
There were two competitive 400m races. Rai Benjamin needed a PR (44.05) to hold off Matt Hudson-Smith (44.18). Marileidy Paulino won in 48.97 with 19-year-old Charlotte Henrich running 50.45 and being eighth!
Rai Benjamin wins 400m in London in 44.05, new PB. Photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
In the men’s Pole Vault, the top 4 cleared 5.95, with winner Sam Kendrick with a perfect record through 5.95 and three failures at 6.04. Mondo cleared 5.95 and then withdrew with injury. I need to add that Sam’s win could not have gone to a nicer man.
Sam Kendricks wins PV in Men’s pole vault, in 5.95 meters, in LONDON DL, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Karsten Warholm was a comfortable winner of the 400h at the stadium where he had won the World title in 2017, launching himself onto the world stage. Sadly, unlike 2017, he chose not to wear a Viking helmet!
Karsten Warholm wins in London, 46.61 WL, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics
Nicola Olyslagers beat Yaraslava Mahuchikh on count-back, with both clearing 2:01.
A great stadium, filled by a great audience, which appreciated some stellar performances.
Nicola Olyslagers takes the win, in the HJ, 2.01m in London, photo by Getty Images for British Athletics