Griffith topples Diamond League field in record time, as four Australians claim podium finishes in Oslo
Published Fri 31 May 2024
Australia’s premier track and field athletes have claimed no less than four podium finishes at the renown Bislett Games in Norway, with middle distance star Georgia Griffith stealing the show with a golden finish and an area record at the Oslo leg of the Diamond League.
In a stunning display of Australia’s middle distance prowess, Griffith (Nic Bideau) claimed her maiden Diamond League victory in the 3000m, setting a new Australian and Oceania record with a time of 8:24.20.
While spectators were watching compatriot and previous record holder Jessica Hull’s (Simon Hull) every move over the seven and a half lap race, it was Griffith who prevailed in the final moments of only her second attempt over the distance. Although Hull looked to be ready to take the win at the bell, Griffith saw her chance to pounce surging ahead in the final straight alongside Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw.
“Much to my surprise I am really enjoying the longer distances. The 3000m might be my new favourite distance!” Griffith said.
“Going into the race I didn’t have too many expectations on the time outcome and wanted my focus to be more on racing, like being assertive with my positioning and trying to time my kick better. I think not putting too much pressure on the outcome definitely helped me stay relaxed in the race and set me up for my most ideal mindset.”
Though not contended at the Olympic Games, the record adds to her string of impressive performances as of late including a sub-four minute run over 1500m at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Japan to qualify for Paris 2024.
“It’s really nice when you’re in PB form and you’re stepping on the line knowing that you’re at your best in comparison to last year when I was in the trenches (with an Achilles injury). I’m racing the 1500m on Saturday (in Stockholm) and I’m still going to be nervous but I’m feeling good with where I am at.”
Hull added to her Diamond League credentials with a third-place finish in 8:25.82, behind Amebaw’s 8:24.29, less than one week after shattering the Australian 1500m record in Eugene, USA.
Rose Davies (Scott Westcott) closed in at 8:35.57 for 12th place and a personal best time, while Lauren Ryan (Lara Rogers) finished in 8:42.63 for 14th place. All four women are now Australian record holders, with Davies owning the 5000m record and Ryan in the 10,000m.
Australian distance king Matthew Denny (Dale Stevenson) is making a habit of mixing it with the world’s top three discus giants, with the Australian holding his own with another second place finish with a 67.61m throw.
Launching his best throw on his third attempt, Denny could only be defeated by world record holder Mykolas Alekna’s meet record of 70.91m, with the Australian taking down the likes of Olympic champion Daniel Stahl (SWE, 66.80, third place) and world champion Kristial Ceh (SLO, 65.12m) once again in their third match up of the year.
“It’s another solid night. I wouldn’t say that I’m happy with it – again, I’m Mr. Critical – but I was really happy with how things were building. I finally found that rhythm that I need for those big throws but the second I got it, the rain came in of course,” Denny said.
“The whole comp struggled and a lot of guys had to pull out. My fourth round throw, I turned and basically threw the discus into the grass because it was hard to keep any grip.
“I am super hungry to win though and today that was there in spades. Alekna is consistently throwing very far but today I thought I was capable of 70m+ today but it wasn’t to be. The main thing at the moment is becoming battle hardened and staying in the top three.”
Also adding to her collection of Diamond League podium finishes was Australian 800m record holder Catriona Bisset (Ned Brophy-Williams) who showed much grit over the final lap, surging from the back of the field to cross the line in third place in a time of 1:59.29 as she settles in to the international season.
Off the back of her season’s best performance at last week’s Prefontaine Classic, Bisset lifted when it mattered coming out wide to take down the field, defeated only by Russia’s Prudence Sekcgodiso (1:58.66) and Jamaica’s Natoya Goule-Toppin (1:59.10).
In the Men’s 1500m, Oliver Hoare (Dathan Ritzenhein) was the first Australian across the finish line in 3:31.08 to finish in sixth place, in a race that saw Norway’s Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigsten race to a world leading performance of 3:29.74 ahead of Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN, 3:29.77) and Azeddine Habz (FRA, 3:30.88).
Hoare now becomes the fastest Australian over the distance in the Olympic qualifying period, ahead of Stewart McSweyn (Nic Bideau) who also contested the race, clocking 3:38.22 to round out the field of 14 after a fall mid race.
The Diamond League series continues this week in Stockholm, taking place on Sunday night and can be viewed live and free on the Wanda Diamond League YouTube channel from Monday morning AEST.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 31/5/2024
