Athletes
12.06.2023
World records fall on thrilling night at 2023 Paris Diamond League
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Jakob Ingebrigtsen (men's two miles), Faith Kipyegon (women's 5000m), and Lamecha Girma (men's 3000m steeplechase) re-write the record books on a historic night at the Stade Charléty in Paris.
It was, quite simply, a record-breaking night in Paris on Friday (9 June) at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet.
Two world records and a world best performance were set on a remarkable night for track and field, with marks in the men's two miles, women's 5000m, and men's 3000m steeplechase all being re-written.
First, Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway set his sights on the rarely-run two miles, a non-world-record distance for which the world best performance had stood for some 26 years.
The Olympic champion over 1500m demolished the mark by over four and a half seconds, clocking 7:54.10 in a non-Diamond League race.
Then, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon – who set a new women's 1500m world record barely a week ago – stepped up to the 5000m and took on the world record holder, Letesenbet Gidey. The two pulled away quickly before Kipyegon made her move with two laps to go, moving ahead of her Ethiopian rival but not attacking.
Kipyegon waited and waited and finally picked her moment to pounce, kicking around the final bend before pulling away to take 1.42 seconds off Gidey's mark. The Kenyan crossed the line in 14:05.20.
"I did not think about the world record, I do not know how I made it," Kipyegon said afterwards. "I just focused on the green light (pace-making light) and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race.
It was, quite simply, a record-breaking night in Paris on Friday (9 June) at the Meeting de Paris Diamond League athletics meet.
Two world records and a world best performance were set on a remarkable night for track and field, with marks in the men's two miles, women's 5000m, and men's 3000m steeplechase all being re-written.
First, Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway set his sights on the rarely-run two miles, a non-world-record distance for which the world best performance had stood for some 26 years.
The Olympic champion over 1500m demolished the mark by over four and a half seconds, clocking 7:54.10 in a non-Diamond League race.
Then, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon – who set a new women's 1500m world record barely a week ago – stepped up to the 5000m and took on the world record holder, Letesenbet Gidey. The two pulled away quickly before Kipyegon made her move with two laps to go, moving ahead of her Ethiopian rival but not attacking.
Kipyegon waited and waited and finally picked her moment to pounce, kicking around the final bend before pulling away to take 1.42 seconds off Gidey's mark. The Kenyan crossed the line in 14:05.20.
"I did not think about the world record, I do not know how I made it," Kipyegon said afterwards. "I just focused on the green light (pace-making light) and tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the race.
I just did the race and wanted to see what happens, when I saw that it was a world record I was so surprised. It was all about giving my best. I just ran after Gidey, she is an amazing lady. It is amazing. I do not know what will be next.
But the record-setting wasn't over. In the night's penultimate track race, Ethiopia's Lamecha Girma set his sights on the 19-year-old men's 3000m steeplechase world record. He would not have the Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali in the field to challenge him – it would be Girma against the clock.
And so it proved, with the 22-year-old quickly distancing the field. It was a nervous race; Girma often looking around him at the lack of challenge. And when it seemed like the youngster was losing steam, he found a second wind to push himself on the final lap, coming home in 7:52.11 – a second and a half faster than the previous mark.
"I'm feeling so happy; happy and very proud," Girma said afterwards. "I felt so fast during the race, so confident. The world record is not a suprise; I planned to beat it tonight in Paris. It's a result of (my) full determination."
Lyles shines; McLaughlin-Levrone leaves mark
Also in Paris, men's 200m world champion Noah Lyles dropped down to the shorter sprint in Paris and showed he can mix it with the best over 100m, winning in 9.97s.
In what had been billed as a showdown between Lyles and Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs, it was in reality a no-contest between the two as Lyles ended up just beating Ferdinand Omanyala while Jacobs was a disappointing seventh.
There was also intrigue in the women's 400m race, as the 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone switched to the flat lap for a race for the first time in nearly five years.
After a strong start from the American, she was eventually overtaken by Olympic and world silver medallist Marileidy Paulino – but still came home in second place in a new personal best time 49.71.
That will be a track and field story to follow as McLaughlin-Levrone seeks to assert her dominance over the flat.
Photo: Olympics.com
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