Long season .. it’s only early August
Long season .. it’s only early August
Think it's timing related. Commonwealth Final had 5 of the big names and only one is competing in Monaco (Wightman in the 1000). The Spaniards are gearing up for European Champs.
Lausanne has potential to be a very good, though maybe Jakob and Wightman will skip it? Katir can't really afford to if he wants to make the DL final. The Kenyans also could, but I'd bet they're racing.
I'm going to say no to Grant getting the AR in Monaco. I think he'd have a better chance at a staged race at the Aloha High track where all variables could be controlled . In Monaco he's going to need to be more balls to the walls. He's really smart but I don't think he has the "go to limit" gene. Will know after the first lap, if he's running this as a race he'll be mid pack, if he's breathing in the ear of a pacer, maybe, but then he won't be on the rail.
What's wrong with Raevyn Rogers (initially on the startlist), actually in Monaco ?
She was also on the start list for Silesia but was a late withdrawal. Hopefully she can get over whatever she’s been dealing with in time for the last few DLs.
Wondering if it will rain in Monaco today. The beach is beautiful this morning. Google weather is saying yes, BBC is saying no, so we will see.
Men's 3000 looks strong. Krop and Kimeli have been excellent this season, and it will be interesting to see how Lobalu runs - was his 7:29 win just a one-off.? The most exciting for me is Aregawi. He ran 7:26 indoors and his balls-to-the-wall run at Pre was stunning to watch. There's a good chance he can go under 7:25. My guess is the top 3 will be Aregawi, Krop, and Kimeli.
Hoping Stewy Macdaddy has a great showing and has rid himself of the flu. Would love to see him go sub 7:30.
UPVOTE TO SEND GRANT FISHER YOUR ENERGY SO HE MAY TAKE ON THE WORLD'S BEST IN THE DIAMOND LEAGUE, AND GIVE THIS BOARD DISCUSSION FODDER FOR THE UPCOMING OFF SEASON!!
Instant reaction show will take place right after the meet:
If Kipyegon beats Dibaba's record it would be just as credible.
Love that Monaco doesn't mess about with a bunch kids races or "national" heats with local hacks like the other DL meets... Elites only in Monaco. As you might guess.
Weather looks decent. Mid 70s, rain is moving out, a little breeze.
What locals could Monaco get?
I mean honestly Kipyegon has done incredibly well to get as close as she has to that laughably doped record - I personally think another second is really tough for her, I think she could flirt with a 3.51.x again but the WR is stretching it.
What I'm interested in is Grant Fisher and how that goes down. I've been going through the scenarios based on his PR's (or more likely gut feeling on what his ceiling could be right now) and I still believe there is a chance he could do it (the AR), albeit a small one. Lagat was a 3.47/12.53 guy, though he ran that mile in 2001 when he also ran 3.26.34 and I personally struggle to believe the legitimacy of that given the era and what we now know about the guys who have run 3.26. Even so, he was a sub 3.50 miler and low 12.50's guy.
Fisher I'm going to guess is a low 3.50's guy (3.51 high/52 low) miler if bothered to get after one (right?) and even though he's only officially run 13.02 outdoors, he's run 12.53 indoors so is capable of 12.45-47 in the right race outdoors, no doubt in my mind (especially given Ahmed has run 12.47). So my gut feeling says 3.52/12.46 for Fisher.
Lagats AR is actually a little slow for what he should have run with those PR's - really a sub 3.50 miler with low 12.50 strength should be in the 27 lows so it's not that the record is soft, it's that it's not quite where it could have been. The 3000m does suit the faster miler though - man, it's a tough one. I'm going to say he can do it - super motivated after Eugene, Monaco "by the sea" magic track and air, perfect conditions to run as always and the 3000m might be right at the threshold where the added cushioning in new spikes is creating just enough slowing down of muscular fatigue to create an appreciable difference. Plus I just want something to root for in this race.
I just want to see if Grant can run in traffic.
Video and background noise is already up on Peacock at 12:51 Central. I'll see what this feed is like then move over to the BBC if I don't like it.
Sydney's here in the front row with her new hubby. Getting ready to watch the W 400mH I'm sure.
Hobbs Kessler is in the 1000m. I don't think he was on the start list when I last looked and he is not mentioned in Jonathan's article. Is he a late addition?
Yeah, not on the program either.