The countdown to the Paris Olympic Games is well and truly on with few opportunities for competition remaining before the global showpiece kicks off later this month.
Several African athletes were in action in Monaco at the penultimate Diamond League meet before the start of the Games.
We take a look at some of the standout performances…
SEDJATI SIZZLES WITH ANOTHER WORLD LEAD - MEN’S 800M
After a sensational 800m race at the previous Diamond League meet in Paris, where the top three were all under 1 minute 42, Djamel Sedjati proved that there’s even more in the tank.
The Algerian went even faster than last weekend, producing his trademark kick around the final bend and storming to the finish in 1:41.46 – a world lead, meet record, national record, Diamond League record and the third fastest time in history.
“I have worked really hard for that. Now I am thinking of the world record,” said Sedjati afterwards. “I hope to run it at the Olympic Games. I have two more weeks to prepare it. I will focus on that and put in the necessary work so that I can achieve my goal. I will keep the preparation the same. My mindset is that the hard work I have put in will pay off.
He just keeps getting FASTER 🤯
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 12, 2024
🇩🇿's Djamel Sedjati improves on his own 800m world lead in Monaco.
1:41.46 for the win after yet another crazy two laps around the track 😤#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/oWD7DempYY
TEBOGO BACK IN BUSINESS – MEN’S 200M
The colossal pre-Olympic showdown between world champion Noah Lyles and world championship bronze medallist in the 200m, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, didn’t materialise after the American pulled out of the meet to focus on his Olympic training.
Tebogo continued unfazed – sprinting to victory in 19.87 seconds after easing up a few metres before the finish, with rising Ugandan star Tarsis Orogot coming in third in 20.32.
It was a welcome return to winning ways for Tebogo who has been mourning the recent passing of his mother.
“The signs during my celebration were mainly for my mom. Everything I do now is for her, not for me… Now we just need to get to the Olympics with a healthy body. The race was perfect, we just shut it down and went to the line. I believe I am in the right shape for top performances.”
Letsile Tebogo cruises to victory in the Men's 200m 👀
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 12, 2024
He is ready to push Noah Lyles at the Olympics 🔥
📺 Stream #DiamondLeague💎 live: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/OOTDLExUmR
AKIDOR PRODUCES PB AS RENGERUK TAKES A TUMBLE – WOMEN’S 5000M
The only other African to claim a win in Monaco on Saturday was Kenya’s Margaret Akidor in the women’s 5000m.
Compatriot Lilian Rengeruk tumbled to the track when the pace slowed and the field bunched up with just over four laps to go.
While she returned to her feet quickly, the fall took its toll, with the 2017 World Cross Country Championships gold medallist eventually finishing 11th.
Akidor took the lead down the back straight of the final lap and held on for the victory in a new personal best time of 14:39.49 with Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw coming in second in 14:40.44.
Just win it 😎🇰🇪
— DyeStat (@DyeStat) July 12, 2024
Kenyan Margaret Akidor runs a personal-best 14:39.49 in a tactically women’s 5000m race! #MonacoDL
📸: @chiaramontesan2 for @Diamond_League pic.twitter.com/DX2pM4vbjl
NEW NATIONAL RECORD FOR KENYA’S JEBITOK – WOMEN’S 2000M
An elated Jess Hull of Australia blazed to a new world record in the rarely run 2000m, breaking well clear of the pack and finishing in a time of 5:19.70 to eclipse the previous mark of 5:21.56 set by Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba three years ago.
Coming in third was 22-year-old Kenyan Edinah Jebitok, who set a new national record when she crossed the line in 5:26.09.
CHERUIYOT CHARGES TO SEASON’S BEST - MEN’S 1500M
Norwegian Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigsten improved on his own European record and set a world-leading time when he cruised to victory in the men’s 1500m in 3:26.73.
There was a season’s best for Kenya’s Olympic silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot who was second in 3:28.71 with compatriot Brian Komen running a personal best of 3:28.80 to secure third spot.
SA’S PILLAY GOES SUB-45 AGAIN FOR THIRD SPOT – MEN’S 400M
Another world lead was set in Monaco, this time in the men’s 400m with American Quincy Hall taking the win in a sensationally quick personal best of 43.80 seconds.
South Africa’s Lythe Pillay was third in 44.58 – his third sub-44-second run of the season and the second-fastest time in his career after the 44.31 he ran in Pietermaritzburg to secure the national title in April.