Middle-distance Trio Shine at British Grand Prix
Published Wed 14 Jul 2021
The Diamond League action continued overnight at the British Grand Prix, with Stewart McSweyn capitalising on a rich vein of form whilst Peter Bol and Matthew Ramsden also impressed.
Stewart McSweyn (Nic Bideau) continued to flourish on the international stage with a stunning 7:28.94 over 3000m to finish in second place behind Spain’s Mohamed Katir.
The time falls narrowly outside McSweyn’s 7:28.02 Australian and Oceania record, demonstrating the King Island product’s fine form having run national and area records over the 1500m and mile in his two prior encounters.
Matthew Ramsden (Nic Bideau) produced an outstanding 7:35.65 to shave over 10-seconds off his personal best and propel himself to fourth on the Australian all-time list.
The run placed the Western Australian fifth in the classy field, making it two consecutive personal bests after a 3:34.08 performance over 1500m earlier this month.
Ramsden’s response to missing out on a maiden Olympic berth despite qualifying in the 1500m speaks volumes to his character, with the 23-year-old getting on with business in emphatic fashion as he looks ahead to a blockbuster schedule of major championships in the coming years.
Fellow Australian David McNeill (Nic Bideau) finished in 14th place with a time of 7:49.32.
Peter Bol (Justin Rinaldi) staked his claim on the 800m with a strong run of 1:45.22 to make him the third man across the line in his return to the Diamond League.
Bol mustered a strong finish in the home straight to advance through the field of 10, taking the scalps of the USA’s Clayton Murphy and Bryce Hoppel in the process – who are both considered medal contenders in Tokyo.
The run will bolster the confidence of Bol who has the times on the board from an impressive domestic season and is now finding the racing form required to steer him through the rounds in Tokyo and secure an elusive lane in the 800m final.
Jeffrey Riseley (Justin Rinaldi) ran 1:50.05 to finish in 10th position.
Rorey Hunter (Dick Telford) registered a new personal best of 3:57.39 in the prestigious Emsley Carr Mile to finish in ninth place in the field of 14 – with all 14 men running under four-minutes.
The run makes it two new personal bests for Hunter in his international campaign, adding to his 3:36.42 run over 1500m last month.
Hannah Jones (Sally Pearson) made her Diamond League debut in the 100m hurdles, running 13.39 (+1.3) to finish in seventh place.
Jones struggled to find her rhythm when clipping multiple hurdles early before gathering momentum throughout the race, with the experience invaluable for the rising Australian hurdler.
The Diamond League action continues in Eugene on August 21.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 14/7/2021
