Flotrack Coverage (Results, Interviews and more)

One of the most anticipated races of the day in Lausanne, Switzerland was the men's 800, and Rudisha delighted fans with a typically dominating performance. Rudisha is simply on another planet in the 800 right now. Heading into the race, it was going to be interesting to see how Rudisha would race against a pretty solid 800 crew. He didn't seem bothered in the least. While he hasn't raced much because of some problems with tendinitis, he still charged ahead early and looked to get a blow out in.
 

His split through 400 was a Jock-esque 49 high, but it was at that point that Rudisha really charged, reaching the 600 in 1:15 mid. At that point, the race was essentially over. Rudisha finished in a tidy 1:44.16, but he looked unfazed and capable of much more if/when he is tested. Whether he will be ready to go 1:41 in several weeks at Worlds, who knows, but he will have to have a terrible day in Daegu to be touched.

 

The men's 100 was the other big one coming in, and Asafa Powell made a HUGE statement. Less than a week ago, it looked like the one man in the world who could take down Usain Bolt (Tyson Gay) would no longer be in the equation. Here in Lausanne, Asafa had to make his countryman take notice. Asafa ran a world-leading 9.78 to lead 5 men under 10. Michael Frater ran a 9.88 PR, Christopher Lemaitre set a French record of 9.95, and Jaysuma Saidy Ndure ran Norwegian record of 9.99. The sub-10 performances continue to pile in…pretty unbelievable.
 

The most thrilling race from an American standpoint had to be Morgan Uceny's Diamond League victory in the 1500, a mere 5 days after making it through multiple rounds to win the US title. Uceny continues to excel over the final 200 of every race she runs. She ran tactically perfect on this day, sitting on the outside of the shoulder throughout and waiting to utilize her kick until the final curve. Can she be a threat at Worlds? The beautiful thing about the 1500 is that if she can make it to the final, it really is anyone-with-a-kick's game. She has proven to be consistent and poised throughout the season - will it soon translate to a 3:59 or low 4 in the 1500? We will definitely all be watching closely.

The 400 provided mixed reviews for the Americans. Sanya-Richards Ross had her best race of the year, as she competed for the win from the gun and really went for it. She faded the final 100 a bit, but had enough to hold on to second in a season's best 50.61. With how bad she looked earlier in the season, she could really be rounding into shape at the right time later this summer. Natasha Hastings was third in 51.07, and while she has to be happy to beat Debbie Dunn (5th in 51.63), it was really more that the rest of the field ran quite poorly than Natasha running a good race.  

 

In the men's 5000 three men broke the meet record, in Vincent Chepkok, Imane Merga and Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge set the pace for the last several laps, but was unable to shake two dangerous kickers in Merga and Kipchoge. He paid for it late, as Merga, and then Chepkok, passed him in the final 150 meters. While the times were seemingly average for multiple men in the field that have run 12:50 low or better, the times were pretty incredible after factoring in the breeze, the slow middle laps, and the slight altitude of Lausanne (about 1600 feet). 

 

Race of the meet may have been the women's 100 hurdles, as Sally Pearson of Australia and Danielle Carruthers of the US duked it out throughout, pulling away from a good field and setting two new world-leading marks. It was so close that the victory flowers were given to Carruthers after the race. After review, it was determined that Pearson was the narrow winner (12.47 to 12.48). Kellie Wells was unable to bounce back after a US title last week, as she ran 12.76 to finish 6th.

 

The men's shotput was predicted to be pretty much an All-American affair (particularly after it was announced that Canadian Dylan Armstrong had missed his flight to Lausanne). It very nearly was, as Christian Cantwell, Ryan Whiting and Reese Hoffa all finished in the top 4. Whiting started off the meet with a meet record throw, but his record was short-lived. Cantwell topped him with his second and third throws, as Whiting fouled the rest of his throws. The winner by Cantwell and showing by Whiting, on top of the seasons Hoffa and Adam Nelson have put together, set up for a battle at Worlds that could be incredible. Shame that Armstrong couldn't make the meet, but more showdowns between these giants are sure to happen numerous times this summer.

 

Strong shown for the Americans in the long jump, as Brittney Reese, Funmi Jimoh and Janay DeLoach all placed in the top 5. The jumps weren't huge, as Reese's 6.85 meter winning jump is well off her 7.19 meter world-lead. But Brittney Reese still takes home the win and now sits second with 9 Diamond League points.