Sharp back on form as McColgan drops down

One week before the British Championships/World Trials, many of the leading domestic athletes faced some of the world’s best at the 11th Diamond League of the season at a blustery Alexander Stadium, Birmingham.

The women’s 200m proved to be the meeting highlight as Olympic 400m champion Shaunae MillerUibo battled over the final 60m alongside UK record holder Dina Asher-Smith. The Bahamian prevailed in 22.24 seconds with Asher-Smith timed at 22.36.

Edinburgh athlete Lynsey Sharp has clawed her way back to top form in the 800m this season and battling the strong head winds she finished second, clocking two minutes 01.09 seconds. Ajee Wilson (USA), so far the only guaranteed Diamond League finalist for Brussels on September 6 was strongest at the finish with a winning 2:00.76.

Sharp reflected: “I’m really pleased. The rain and wind picked up just before we ran and we had to just adjust and execute the correct race for the conditions and I thought that went well.”

Eilish McColgan (Dundee Hawkhill) dropped down in distance to contest the women’s one-mile hanging on over the final run-in to place third posting a personal best 4:24.71. Konstanze Klosterhalfen pushed over the final lap to clock a German record of 4:21.11. McColgan commented: “I’m disappointed actually because I thought I was a wee bit sluggish. I’m in good shape but right from the first 100m I thought that it was quick. I settled into it quite well. I just didn’t quite have the legs.

“When you drop down from altitude after a tough training spell it’s sometimes difficult to get that snappiness but I’m happy enough with that. I’m hoping that’s enough to make the 1500m final in Zurich and get myself ready for the 1500m.

“It’s not my event, but I love running it. You have Hassan, Klosterhalfen, Muir – all the top girls. If I can get there and even finish last and just get a PB that’ll be great.”

Scottish 1500m record holder Chris O’Hare suffered a disappointing last lap over the metric mile, limping home in 10th (3:41.98) as favourite Ronald Musagala won with 3:35.12.

Eight thousandths of a second was all that separated Yohan Blake (Jamaica) and Adam Gemili in the men’s 100m final – both credited with 10.07 seconds.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson contested the long jump alongside fellow heptathlete Nafissatou Thiam where the Belgian sailed out to a third-round national record of 6.86m.