(AFP via Getty Images)
The Diamond League returns in Birmingham this afternoon with the world’s best looking to impress as national championships approach before a huge summer of international athletics. Athletes will be looking to work their way into form ahead of the World and European Championships, plus the Commonwealth Games. And the Alexander Stadium, following investment totalling £72m, hosts today’s event, while also being the home for this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
The very best of Team GB are in action, including Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalists Keely Hodgkinson, Laura Muir and Josh Kerr and Dina Asher-Smith. Great Britain’s sprint queen is working her way back into form after a devastating injury ruined her hopes of individual success in Tokyo, before a bronze in the 4x100m relay, and the 26-year-old is bullish about the prospect of a new world record in one of her events this year.
“I am confident in the work I have done,” Asher-Smith said, before considering the prospect that somebody will break Florence Griffith Joyner’s 34-year-old 100m world record of 10.49 seconds. “I think so. We shouldn’t put limits on ourselves. When you stop thinking about limits and focus on the processes, who knows what can be achieved? Everything seems impossible until it’s done. Definitely given the advantages of (spike) technology, definitely given the increase of track technology. That plus all the advantages, the competition – domestic and international – nice wins, amazing crowds, we have all been starved of crowds because of the pandemic. If I said no (that she couldn’t break it), what would you say? Crazier things have been done and nothing is impossible. I’m excited to go out there and put together some really good races. Who knows.” Follow live updates, results, reaction and more from Birmingham below:
Men’s 100m: Brown wins after Bromell and Hughes disqualified
Bromell is disqualified for a false start! Drama here as we have a second DQ!
It looks like Zharnell Hughes was first to go this time… Yes, it’s Hughes.
It’s third time lucky, we’re away, Brown from Canada 10.13 seconds for the Canadian.
Jamaica’s Blake second in 10.18 and Blake from Canada third in 10.20. De Grasse fourth.
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 14:32
Women’s 1,500m: Laura Muir beats out Jessica Hull for the win
Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie and Katie Snowden in action for Great Britain.
Ellie Sandford pacing here and they’re right on the lights as we approach 700m.
Jessica Hull and Laura Muir still with Sandford, then a gap to third.
The pacer steps off and it’s Muir just ahead of Hull at the bell, 2:58…
It’s Muir for the win in 4:02.82, Hull second and then a gap to Winny Chebet in third.
Reekie came fifth in 4:07.01, with Snowden eighth in 4:08.33.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 14:18
Women’s Discus Throw: Valarie Allman wins
Valarie Allman wins the women’s discus in 67.85, she beats out Croatian Sandra Perkovic, who is second with 67.26 – a season’s best.
Laulaga Tausaga is a way back in third with 60.80.
USA’s Valarie Allman in action during the Women’s Discus Throw
(PA)
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 14:15
Women’s 400m Hurdles
Dalilah Muhammad takes the victory in the women’s 400mH in 54.55.
The Ukrainians, Tkachuk and Ryzhykova, come home in second and third.
Great Britain’s Lina Nielsen is fourth in 55.40.
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 14:06
Men’s 100m B race
- Jeremiah Azu – 10.19 SB
- Aaron Brown – 10.23
- Sam Gordon – 10.44
A solid outing for Azu, who admits he is pleased with the time given the conditions: “I wanted to run a PB today but unfortunately the wind changed to a -0.5 so I am pleased with that today. I am in a better place than when I raced two weeks ago. I knew I could win the race and I hadn’t realised quite how close he (Aaron Brown) was behind me. “I really want that Welsh record in this stadium if I can at the Commonwealths. I am looking forward to putting on the Welsh vest. It was good to experience the stadium ahead of the Games. I run in Bydgoszcz and hope to run even faster. “The British Champs will be hot and I think it will take sub-10 to win it as there are so many men in great shape at the moment. Of course it may depend on the Manchester weather.”
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 14:00
Men’s 800m B race
Ben Pattison reacts to his win in the men’s 800m B race in 1:49.21: “It was a huge domestic field so these are the boys I will be competing with for the Worlds, Commies (Commonwealths) and Europeans so I thought it was important to go for the win. It wasn’t a quick race so it was good to test if I can use a change of pace and test my speed. I was in a good position with 200 to go when Kyle (Langford) came past so I thought let’s go with him. I felt pleased to get that gap behind me. “My coach never goes into too much detail as you never know how an 800 is going to go. I have a good racing brain so no need to force a time in a big head to head. I am in good endurance shape so I am going to Poznan to test myself out at 1k which I have never ran before so that will be interesting.”
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 13:56
Women’s 100m B race
Interesting development here, Gabby Thomas, arguably the favourite for the main race later up against Dina Asher-Smith, is lining up in the B race, perhaps to practice or simulate heats?
A close finish! Looks like Thomas might have got it on the line, 11.27 is the winning time.
Bingham of Canada second in 11.28 and American Brisco third in 11.29, with GB’s Lansiquot fourth.
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 13:34
Men’s 800m B race
They come through in 00:54.99.
Randolph leads with 200m to go…
Pattison storms home with a fine kick, clocking 1:49.21, with Webb second and Langford third.
Pattison impressive, with a 29.26 for his last 200m.
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 13:27
Men’s 800m B race
The men’s 800m B race is here, it’s got a lot of competition with Langford, Learmonth, Webb, Davis and Pattison all pushing for GB vests this summer.
Jack Rathborn21 May 2022 13:25
