Mechaal, Arce and Carro race to the European minimum in the Doha Diamond League

The three Spaniards present on the third date of Diamond League in Doha they ran the lowest score to go to Roma European. A consolation loot for their Olympic aspirations, but the best fuel to start a season that will have its peak in the first week of August with the Paris 2024 Games. Daniel Arce and Fernando Carro They sought the Olympic minimum (8’15”00) at 3,000 obstacles so as not to depend on the World Ranking. Arce was closest in his sixth place with 8’16”43, running from less to more and working hard against world-class rivals. Victory went to Ethiopian Samuel Firewu, who overtook Kenyan and main favorite Abraham Kibiwot at the same finish line. Fernando Carro, courageous, had to settle for twelfth position with a time of 8’22”50, a European minimum (8’28”00), but far from what is needed to fulfill the Olympic dream.

At 1,500m, Adel Mechaal He achieved the minimum to be included in the European Championship in Rome with 3’35”12 and is also on the verge of achieving the Olympic one, set at 3’33”00 (3’35”00, RFEA minimum). The Catalan attended the Persian meeting with heavy training, typical at the start of the season, and his progress is expected to increase in the coming weeks. The podium in Doha was completely Kenyan, with victory for Brian Komen with 3’32”43.

But the big role of the event in Qatar went to the North American Kenny Bednarekwho won the 200 with an incredible mark of 19.67 and sent a serious warning to the world champion Noah Lyles pointing to the ribbon he was wearing on his head that said “I am not afraid of anyone”. The North American usually brings a message to every event he competes in and this time he made it clear that he wants his Olympic title in Paris -he won silver in Tokyo 2020-. “Running so fast at the start of the season meant that I will be very strong when they start Games“Bednarek’s assurance. “The best thing I can do this season is win gold at the Games and I know I have the talent and training needed to achieve this,” he added confidently.

In the women’s 5,000m, eight Ethiopians were in the top ten, but victory went to the Kenyan. Beatrice Chebet5k world record holder at the last Cursa dels Nassos in Barcelona,​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Ejgayehu Taye with a time of 14’26”98. “I don’t know exactly what to expect tonight,” said the Kenyan. “Every race is difficult and especially when we are at the beginning of the season,” he explained. “The jackpot this season is winning an Olympic medal in Paris. It is clear that I will fight because it is gold, but any medal will be a victory for me,” said Chebet.

The world champion Alison dos Santos He returned to give an exhibition in the 400 hurdles and showed that he is fully recovered from the serious meniscus injury he suffered last season. The Brazilian won with a mark of 46.86, a new meeting record and the best world mark of the year, a serious warning for Karsten Warholm before the Olympic duel in Paris 2024. The queen of speed test is for the British Daryll Neitawho dominated the 100 meters with a 10.98 ahead of North Americans Tamari Davis and Calera Barnes. May Moraa he took up the conflict in 800 then Jemma Reekie with a time of 1’57”91. One of the most exciting duels of the day, the javelin, was decided by just two centimeters. That narrow margin gave the Czech victory Jakub Vadlejch with 88.38m, ahead of the Indian Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra with 88.36.

Barshim leads first edition of ‘What Gravity Challenge’
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Mutaz Essa Barshimthe best athlete in the history of Qatar, acted as a magnificent opening act for the Doha Diamond League event with his victory the previous day in ‘What a Gravity Challenge‘, a new competition promoted by red bull. Barshim won the competition held at the Katara Amphitheater with a best jump of 2.31m, ahead of Sang Woo and JuVaughn Harrison.