Oliver, Warnier Sizzle with sensational performances

By Bob Ramsak

ZURICH. - Sizzling performances by David Oliver and Jeremy Wariner were but a pair of sensational performances that highlighted the Weltklasse Zurich - Samsung Diamond League meeting at which 15 Diamond Race Trophy winners were decided.

With half of the season-long Diamond Race Trophies up for grabs, this year's Zurich edition, staged yet again before a sell-out crowd of more than 26,000 boisterous fans at Letzigrund Stadium, exuded the feel of a major championship as the primary season target of most athletes was on the line. And in event after event, the world's best didn't disappoint.

Among the most impressive displays of the evening came in the men's 110m Hurdles with David Oliver's parade toward the Diamond Race Trophy, and it's accompanying $40,000 cash prize.

From the second hurdle, there was little doubt that Oliver would extend his winning streak to 12 with his first triumph in Zurich. But the ferocity with which the powerfully-built American ran and attacked the barriers made it evident that he was after more than just another victory. Closing with a low extended lean and dip at the line that even confused the timing equipment, Oliver stopped the clock in 12.93, a scant 0.01 off the meeting record set by former World record holder Roger Kingdom 21 years ago.

"I cannot ask for more," said Oliver, who's produced seven of the season's eight quickest performances. "I'm not the perfect hurdler. That's why I'm missing the world record. But I'll fix that mistake one time." Jamaican Dwight Thomas won the race for second, edging American Ryan Wilson 13.25 to 13.26, to finish behind Oliver in that same order in the series.

It wasn't mathematically possible for Jamaican Jermaine Gonzales to overtake Jeremy Wariner in the 400m trophy hunt, but as the current world leader, the 25-year-old had a point to prove. And after a blazing first half, it appeared that Gonzales had arrived ready to make it. But the American, who arrived prepared as well, didn't panic. Displaying a glimpse of the Wariner of old, the former World and Olympic champion not only reeled in his Jamaican rival as he came off the bend, but motored by him convincingly en route to a world-leading 44.13 run. It was the lanky Texan's fastest performance since his 43.82 at this meeting two years ago. "Another world lead, that was my plan," said Wariner, whose previous season's best was 44.49. "I'd describe my season improving with every race. Next year should be even better." Wariner said he's got one more race on his horizon - the IAAF/VTB Bank Continental Cup in Split, Croatia, early next month. Gonzales held together long enough to clock 44.51 for second, well ahead of Angelo Taylor's 44.72 season's best, to finish second overall.

Among the more stunning performances of the evening came with another trophy at stake, the meeting's so-called Zurich Trophy in the men's 4x100m Relay. An inspired American quartet, comprised of Trell Kimmons, Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay and Michael Rodgers, were on fire from the gun and, their efforts rewarded with a 37.45 performance, the fifth fastest in history and not too shy of the 37.40 national record set in 1992 and 1993. Jamaica was fast too, with anchor Yohan Blake bringing home the baton in 37.76.

But Jamaican sprint pride was protected earlier, thanks to Veronica Campbell-Brown in the women's 100m. The Jamaican had no chance of catching Carmelita Jeter in the Diamond Trophy chase, but the two-time Olympic 200m champion hardly took the pair's third 100m face-off lightly. Neither did Jeter, and the outcome couldn't have been closer. The American forged a slight lead just beyond the midway point by Campbell-Brown, shadowing her just to the outside, narrowed the gap with every stride as the pair sped toward the line, where they crossed all-but-inseparable. The official time for each was 10.89; the reading to the thousandths was 10.889 to 10.890 with the nod going to the Jamaican.

"It was a close race," said Campbell-Brown, who clocked 10.78 in the pair's first meeting of the season in Eugene. "My shoulder was a little bit in front so I had the feeling just after the finish that I could be the winner." London winner Marshevet Myers was third in 10.97, a season's best.

Spearmon blazes 19.79

With the departure of series leader Walter Dix due to injury, the winner of 200m was all but assured of taking the Diamond Race Trophy. The distinction went to Wallace Spearmon after he ran down and past Jamaican Yohan Blake over the final 50 metres.

The race was a sizzler as well, with Spearmon's 19.79 smashing the previous meet record of 19.92 set by Xavier Carter in 2007. Blake, still just 20, fought on admirably to clock 19.86. "The race was really good," Spearmon said, but admitting, "I entered it nervously as Blake beat me last time."

Allyson Felix's road to a double Diamond Race victory took a major turn in the right direction, thanks to her comfortable victory in the 400m. Running a conservative first half, the three-time World 200m champion easily handled the late race charge mounted by U.S. champion Debbie Dunn (50.57) and Amantle Montsho (50.63), the African champion with her own 50.37 to up her point tally to 20, twice that of runner-up Dunn.

Living up to her billing, Kaliese Spencer obliterated a strong field in the women's 400m Hurdles to claim the Diamond Race Trophy she'd come to Zurich to collect. And the 23-year-old Jamaican did it in style, winning by more than a full second in 53.33, knocking a notable 0.15 seconds from her previous personal best set earlier this year in Rome.

"I wasn't fully satisfied with my strides," said Spencer, who was already the clear leader just two barriers into the race, "but it was a personal best is something special so I shouldn't complain." Czech record holder Zuzana Hejnova was a distant second in 54.54 and finished second in the series as well.

Nancy Langat had already clinched the Diamond Race in the 1500m prior to tonight's race, and in the contest she yet again displayed precisely why. Continuing the momentum that began on a sweltering desert evening in Doha three months ago, the Olympic champion cruised to yet another commanding victory, this time over the finest field assembled this season. Never threatened over the final lap, the Kenyan gracefully took over when pacesetter Mimi Belete rather awkwardly stepped aside. Her 4:01.01 clocking, more than a second clear of Gelete Burka (4:02.26), doesn't fully illustrate how dominant the 28-year-old was. "I controlled the race and prepared my kick for the last 400m," said Langat, who lost only one race this season. Next up for the African champion is the Continental Cup and the Kenyan trials for the Commonwealth Games.

Briton Stephanie Twell was impressive in third, clocking a career best 4:02.54.

Merga holds on in men's 5000m

Imane Merga knew exactly what he needed to do to end his 5000m campaign on a high. Simply put, a top-three finish would force the 21-year-old to make a little more room in his luggage for the Diamond Race Trophy. After his runner-up finish in a thrilling race, he's now presumably making room in his carry-on luggage.

In a fast race, nearly a dozen men ran past the bell within striking distance of each other, but it was Tariku Bekele who quickly confirmed his control. As Bekele sped through the final lap en route to his 12:55.03 win, Merga had a battle on his hands over the final 300 metres courtesy of American Chris Solinsky's towering figure. The pair ran nearly stride-for-stride, with Merga at first matching and eventually repelling each of Solinsky's moves. Merga hung on for second in 12:56.34, less than a step ahead of the American's 12:56.45. The first six across the line dipped under 13 minutes, Mo Farah among them in 12:57.94, shattering the 13:00.41 British national record (and former World record) set by Dave Moorcroft in 1982.

In the men's 3000m Steeplechase, Ezekiel Kemboi won the final battle, but it was Paul Kipsiele Koech who won the war. Kemboi, the reigning World champion, burst to the lead just beyond the bell to win unchallenged, but fell a bit shy of his sub-8 goal clocking 8:01.74. Koech, who led for much of the proceedings, was a comfortable second in 8:05.48 to ally 17 series points to Kemboi's 15.

"I knew what was going on," said Koech, who held on to clock . "I was aware that if (Brimin) Kipruto was not around that second place was also enough to win the trophy.

Kipruto, the 2008 Olympic champion, was indeed far adrift and finished a distant 10th to take third overall.

Courtesy: Samsung Diamond League