PARIS:
The Meeting de Paris witnessed a series of record-breaking performances last weekend, with Olympic silver medalist Laura Muir setting a new British record in the women’s 1500m final at the Paris Diamond League.
Aith Kipyegon Breaks World Record:
Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon, a two-time Olympic champion, shattered her own world record by clocking 3:49.04. This surpasses her previous record of 3:49.11 set in Florence last year. Kipyegon expressed her intent to benchmark her fitness ahead of defending her title at the upcoming Olympics.
Jessica Hull’s Oceania Record:
Australia’s Jessica Hull finished second with a time of 3:50.83, marking the fifth-fastest time ever and setting a new Oceania record. Hull maintained a strong pace, staying close to Kipyegon until the final lap.
Laura Muir’s National Record: Laura Muir secured third place with a time of 3:53.79, breaking her own British record set at the Tokyo Olympics by 71 hundredths of a second.
Muir expressed her delight at the achievement, stating, “I knew it would take something special to beat that time. I’m emotional to run that time – it means a lot to me.”
Olympic Prospects
Muir’s record-breaking performance has bolstered her confidence as she prepares to compete in the Olympics later this month. She is joined by Britain’s 1500m champion Georgia Bell, who also posted a personal best of 3:56.54.
Additional Records
Yaroslava Mahuchikh’s High Jump:
Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh made history in the women’s high jump by clearing 2.10m, the joint-fourth highest jump in history, breaking a 37-year-old record.