MIDWEEK REVIEW | MCSWEYN SMASHES NATIONAL RECORD

MIDWEEK REVIEW | MCSWEYN SMASHES NATIONAL RECORD

The running of the Rome Diamond League overnight signified the end of a frantic European track season, and it went out with a bang.

Despite the logistics of the season being compromised due to the pandemic, the performances have been of the highest order and class, giving fans around the globe something to cheer about.

Four Australians were on display across two events in Rome with Ryan Gregson, Stewart McSweyn and Matthew Ramsden in the 3000m, whilst Nicola McDermott contested the high jump.

Men’s 3000m:

The world has become accustomed to expecting fireworks when the likes of Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Jacob Kiplimo toe the line, and Stewart McSweyn has now forced his name into the same conversation.

The King Island product refused to offer a time prediction pre-race, confident that finishing in the vicinity of Ingebrigtsen and Kiplimo would have the clock take care of itself.

With fellow Australians Ryan Gregson and Matthew Ramsden also entered in the race, it loomed as an enticing affair.

The excitement levels spiked when commentators Steve Cram and Tim Hutchings alluded to an encounter with McSweyn earlier that day in which he declared he would be trying to take down Craig Mottram’s Australian record.

Seemingly missing the start in Tuesday’s 1500m in Zagreb, McSweyn shot out of the gates in Rome to land right on Sean Tobin’s back, who did an exceptional job as the pacemaker.

There he would stay throughout the first half of the race before assuming the lead and pouring on the pressure as he passed through 2000m in 4:59.97, a time that would have him ranked third on the Australian all-time list if it were a 2000m race.

McSweyn was yet to shake Ingebrigtsen and Kiplimo though and their presence may have both helped and hindered McSweyn.

The Australian appeared to tighten up slightly as the 19-year-old duo were hot on his heels, but after they went past him McSweyn had something to chase.

Whilst McSweyn’s chase did not see him take the win, it did see him obliterate Craig Mottram’s national record by 4.17 seconds, recording a 6.77 second personal best of 7:28.02.

“It’s obviously a huge honour to break any national record so I’m extremely happy,” he said.

“I’m really pleased with the way I executed the race.

“I gave myself the best chance I had to win the race and that was the goal going into it.”

His countrymen won’t be as fond of this Rome encounter in the years to come, with a demanding race schedule appearing to catch up to both Gregson and Ramsden.

However, if having a bad day at the office results in times of 7:48.08 and 7:53.65 over 3000m for Ramsden and Gregson respectively, then rest assured these two Australians have given their absolute all on the European circuit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwkpbdifW8k

Women’s High Jump:

Amidst all the action on the track, Nicola McDermott’s dominance in the field in 2020 has been something to behold.

McDermott put in yet another good showing in Rome, jumping 1.95m to finish in 3rd place and occupy her seventh podium from seven performances this campaign.

The 23-year-old sent a warning sign to the competition when jumping 1.92m on her first attempt as she looked to emulate her 1.98m personal best form.

After clearing 1.95m on her second attempt, McDermott progressed with a chance of matching her personal best and staying alive in the competition, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Australian talent has flourished this European season as she has soared to new heights for the fourth consecutive year since 2016, where her personal best stood at 1.88m

She finds herself second on the Australian all-time list, only 1cm behind Eleanor Patterson, and is approaching events with great enthusiasm and passion which makes for good viewing.

Under the watchful eye of Matt Horsnell, McDermott is sitting pretty with the fourth highest jump in the world in 2020 next to her name, an exciting feat ahead of Tokyo next year.

The Australian action will continue in the Doha Diamond League on September 25.

By: Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 18 September 2020