Norway’s Olympic champion Karsten Warholm emerged victorious in the men’s 400 meters hurdles at the rain-soaked Galan Diamond League meet in Stockholm. However, the race was marred by a protest from environmentalists that disrupted the event. Three protesters from A22 Network, known for interrupting the Swedish final of “Let’s Dance” on TV4 last month, knelt on the track near the finish line and unfurled a banner across six lanes, obstructing the runners.
Fortunately, Warholm, positioned in lane eight, was unaffected by the protest. While acknowledging the right to protest, the athlete criticized the disrespectful manner in which the demonstration took place. In an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, he expressed his frustration, stating, “It is permissible to protest, but this is not the way to do it. It is disrespectful to those who are here to do a good job. I must honestly admit that I’m pissed off.”
Undeterred by the disruption, the 27-year-old double world champion ran a blind race in the outside lane and completed the event in 47.57 seconds. Although he fell short of his world record set during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Warholm’s consistent victories bode well for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest. After a season plagued by injuries in 2022, his performance in the Diamond League is a positive sign of his readiness for the championship.
The challenging weather conditions, including driving rain and a chilly 15°C, hampered record-breaking attempts throughout the meet. Spectators at Stockholm Stadium took shelter under red rain ponchos as they endured the inclement weather. Despite the unfavorable conditions, Warholm expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I felt very good before the start. The conditions make it a little bit more challenging, but I had to get in and post another good time, so I am very pleased. I am 100 percent exactly where I want to be.”
Apart from the hurdles race, other events faced significant disruptions due to the rain. The men’s pole vault, featuring local hero Armand Duplantis, was delayed for over two hours due to safety concerns. Despite the prolonged wait and the slippery conditions, Duplantis managed to clear 6.05 meters on his first attempt, securing the victory. However, he failed to surpass his own world record of 6.22 meters, missing three attempts at 6.23 meters.
In the men’s discus event, Slovenian athlete Kristjan Ceh overcame the challenges posed by the slick throwing circle to throw 69.83 meters and claim first place. Sweden’s Daniel Stahl, the runner-up, accidentally hit an official with his throw, but thankfully, the official remained unharmed.
Ethiopian athlete Freweyni Hailu led a trio of her compatriots in the women’s 1,500 meters, securing victory with a time of 4:02.31. Despite the subpar weather conditions affecting the competition, Hailu remained optimistic about her performance and expressed confidence in achieving more victories throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Kenyan runner Beatrice Chebet showcased her tactical prowess in the women’s 5,000 meters. With 300 meters remaining in the race, Chebet created a significant lead, crossing the finish line in a season’s best time of 14:36.52. She acknowledged the challenging weather but emphasized the importance of adapting and running under any conditions.
Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the Olympic champion, dominated the men’s 3,000 meters steeplechase, celebrating his victory with 50 meters to go and finishing in 8:09.84. With Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma breaking the steeplechase world record the previous month in Paris, anticipation builds for an exciting battle between the African pair at the World Athletics Championships.
In the men’s 100 meters, South African sprinter Akani Simbine cruised to victory in 10.03 seconds. While the rainy conditions and cold weather were not favorable, Simbine triumphed and expressed his determination to build upon his win.
Despite the disruptive protest and challenging weather conditions, the Galan Diamond League meet provided a stage for athletes to showcase their resilience and determination. These performances set the stage for an exhilarating World Athletics Championships in Hungary in the coming months.
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