Diamond League: Aman wins 800m, Dibaba finishes disappointing 6th in 1,500m
Doha, Qatar – Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia kicked off the 2014 Diamond League competition here with a a victory in the 800m, but the World Indoor Champion Genzebe Dibaba finished a disappointing 6th place in the women’s 3,000m race.
Men’s 800m
Despite not being a Diamond League event, the men’s 800 m boasted an impressive field and Ethiopia’s world indoor and outdoor champ Mohammed Aman had to work hard for victory, his 1:44.49 just enough to edge Nijel Amos with 1:44.54. Britain’s Andrew Osagie had to settle for eighth with 1:46.08.
Women’s 1,500m
All eyes were on world indoor champion Genzebe Dibaba in the 3000m, but the Ethiopian, who broke the world indoor 1500 m and 3000 m records as well as the 2000 m world best this winter, was well beaten by Helen Obiri of Kenya who clocked 8:20.68 for the quickest outdoor 3000 m since 1993. Her Kenyan record was also a Diamond League record, as a total of eight athletes ran 8:30 or under – Dibaba back in sixth despite her 8:26.21 indoor PB. With a strong finish Obiri was well clear of her compatriot Mercy Cherono who clocked 8:21.14.
Read more at: Athletics Weekly
