Diamond League - Monaco Athletics

Good evening from Mr Jackson and May and a very warm welcome. It is

warm here, I tell you. We are in Monaco for Diamond League athletics

and the state could not be any higher for the athletes competing

as they have their preparations before London, the last big

athletics meeting before the Olympics. One athlete who is not

here is Usain Bolt. He may be on every single poster in his

principality but he is not here after that shocking double defeat

to Yohan Blake in the Jamaican trials. But still plenty to look

forward to after we focus on the first raised, the Women's 400m

hurdles. A great racer to start off with with a defending Olympic

champion, but all thoughts on that bread performance last weekend from

Perri Shakes-Drayton, she has rarely throws herself into medal

contention. There is no doubt about contention. There is no doubt about

that, nobody expected her to be so dominant in that race. It was great

to see. She has shown that now she has a right into the serious world

class. We all knew she had amazing potential, but what we wanted to

see was her deliver the performance we knew she was capable of and what

a time to do it, have very last competition before she got to

London. The celebrations were amazing, but it gave UN insight

into the fact that it took her completely by surprise -- it gave

you an insight. She will be at the training camp back in London and

will ask herself where it came from and can she reproduce it?

hurdles are all about a rhythm and when you hit it, you get into the

groove and it tends to stay with you, so I am hoping that she is

just whacking and embracing the new found rhythm and can reproduce it -

- just practising and embracing. you were doing it again, would you

be tempted to come here and find that with them again, kid yourself

confidence? If you are happy with the way you while performing, there

is no two ways about it, she set a sensational personal best and she

is happy with that, so why waste her time? If she doesn't feel like

she needs to, go and prepare, get confidence. Let's focus on the

athletes that are here. Melaine Walker, the defending Olympic

champion. Not quite in that form this year. Not at all. -- but she

has got a sensational Sir -- personal best. This is young lady

we have got to look out for. She is from the Czech Republic, she can

produce when it really matters. This event is a really complicated

events, because there is so much talent in its and as Perri Shakes-

Drayton demonstrated, you only need to get your group at one time and

you are there, so it will be a very close race. Admission that the

masses want to look out for as well. We can join -- Le Sho Endo Demus is

one to look out for as well. We can join Steve Cram in the commentary

Shakes-Drayton ran a 53.57 in London to we have up to third place

in the world rankings -- to move up to third place in the world

gone off very quickly into the last stride. She is already up on to

Melaine Walker. Williams's going strongly. Demus is about one metre

down. Their approach 200m. It is very even between Melaine Walker

and Demus. Right on the outside, Tiffany Williams, who might find it

tough from now on. Demus slightly in the lead. There is a former, and

it is Tiffany Williams, she has gone. And here comes Demus, under

pressure from Melaine Walker. Zuzana Hejnova going well as well.

She may have the momentum. She is going to take it. Zuzana Hejnova

takes it, Demus in second place, Melaine Walker in third. What a

good run by Zuzana Hejnova, who really ran at a very even pace. She

was so steady at 200m, but between 203 hundred, she put herself into a

great position and that the home straight, she really attacked --

between 203 hundred. 54.14 is the unofficial time. An interesting

race for all sorts of different reasons. Demus is not the athlete

that she was, not showing the sort of form she will want before the

Games. She ran well as the American trials but has had one or two

problems. She was saying how much she was looking forward to this but

this won't give her that much confidence. Melaine Walker, I

expect her to go well at the Games, but you would expect them to be

running 53.5 fairly consistently and they are not, they are

struggling. So that opens the door for the likes of Perri Shakes-

Drayton, we saw that the other night, and tonight, Zuzana Hejnova

and Denisa Rosolova, out in lane six, I think she is a huge talent

at this event. So a big opportunity here. And Zuzana Hejnova took it.

She wasn't fazed by the big names outside her and she was strong over

the last hurdle. She didn't have a very good European Championships

but that is a very big win for her. So the two younger ones, Perri

Shakes-Drayton and Zuzana Hejnova, it is over to you, because Demus

and Walker are not showing much. many ways, it is not the sort of

time we would expect going into an Olympic Games or a major

championship, but Championships to bring out the best in athletes, and

from Zuzana Hejnova. We can see the times there. A season's best for

the winner. I guess Perri Shakes- Drayton will be watching that at

home and thinking, nothing too much to be scared off. We are being

British centric, but that is the reality. That is it on paper, it is

about what you do on the track, that is all that matters. It is

warm here, cold and wet in London. But some people performing

different conditions better. You never can say. Women can get into

the groove, it is demonstrated by Perri Shakes-Drayton and Zuzana

Hejnova, she has run a season's best. They do not give medals away

easily. So we are under way in Monaco, and here is what we have

got to look forward to over the to be super quick as Jason Richard

Sterne takes on his team-mate. LaShawn Merritt Eggers Kirani James

and Martyn Rooney are the 400m. Chris Tomlinson in the long jump,

and plenty other Brits tonight. Here is the timetable, pick out

your favourite. As normal with the Diamond League coverage, we don't

control the pictures, so we cannot guarantee how much we will see of

the likes of Chris Tomlinson. But there will be a great chance to

assess Holly Bleasdale's chances in the pole vault of a gold medal.

A lot of expectation, I think, to see what Yelena is an by ever can

do this evening. -- Yelena Isinbayeva. She may not be in the

world record breaking form that we are used to, but will she challenge

in London? This is the warmth of Monaco but a week ago, we were in

the cold and wet of London, but it didn't deter many of Britain's

Palace, Mo Farah getting the best of send us as he hopes to repeat

this sort of victory in the Olympic Stadium -- send offs. Storming away

to take the win. Christine Ohuruogu it is coming, she is charging. The

world champion cannot hang on. Christine Ohuruogu it is going to

new British record. Perri Shakes-Drayton has taken this

well, two days in London, despite the weather and some great

performances. And perhaps the most surprising one was Kristina have

rued the. Four years ago, Olympic champion and world champion --

Christina Ohuruogu. Then form disappeared, loss of motivation and

injury and then in the final race, she defeats the world champion.

was breathtaking for everybody to see and if you weren't there, you

missed an incredible moment, because the whole atmosphere in the

stadium was electric. She finished off the whole competition and it

was great to see a defending champion coming down and passing

the world champion to take the victory, in have fastest time of

the year. This is what we are talking about, athletes coming to

these competitions and delivering great performances, which gives

them so much confidence for the major games, which luckily for

Christie is the Olympics. And one thing we know from experience is

she will run a lot quicker when she gets to London. She always gets

through quicker through the heats - - always gets quicker through the

heats, you think they can almost be three-quarters of a second added on.

I am sure she can do that. She will be someone who will be looking at

it continuously over the events and seeing where she has improved and

now she can go even better here and the next thing you know, she is on

the shoulder of the favourites. Another athlete not quite in the

shadows in the way Christine Ohuruogu has for the last four

years, Goldie Sayers in the Jacquelin. Her personal best dated

back to Beijing. She came back with another British record. And a big

smile, which was wonderful to see. She has been throwing well all

season, very consistent, but she has just been beaten by some great

javelin throwers, and to come to Crystal Palace and throw a British

record, and then to back that up with her third best throw ever, it

really showed that she was gaining momentum and going in the right

direction at the right time. As far as I am concerned, the field

inventors are looking very strong. Goldie will have to throw further

to get in the medals, that is the reality. Absolute the, she has to

work hard but a little bit of consistency is the most important

thing -- absolutely. If the young lady is throwing around her had a

bad day, there is their medal. Chris Tomlinson coming back to

something like his form. Yes, he has a great rivalry with Greg

Rutherford and he managed to do their 8.26, it is a good sign.

to the men's 1,500 metres. Back to am sure, will be doing their best

to encourage the 1,500 metres runners to go with the pace. We

have seen a few good runs this year, but you just suspect that the likes

of Asbel Kiprop might want to make a statement here. Although the

early signs are not good, the early pace is a little quick and it is

essential they get an even pace through the first 800. They have

asked for around 250. This first 300 metres, that is too quick for

the leading pacemaker. He has just got to check back a little bit,

were together, James Magut with Andrew Kiptoo. 53.69 through the

first 400. Asbel Kiprop is probably spot on around 55 seconds. He gets

his tactics wrong sometimes. He was a little bit, well, not fortunate

in the Kenyan trials, but it was a slow race and he finished third

behind James Kiplagat and Andrew Rotich, so sometimes he can

tactically get it wrong. It shouldn't be so much of an issue

today. The pace is just dropping a little bit here. Andrew Kiptoo the

little ahead of Asbel Kiprop. Tauofik Makhloufi is there behind

Asbel Kiprop. We have one or two people as well up there. We are

looking at the 800 tired and they would ask for 150, which is very

quick for... They are closing down on the pacemaker at the moment,

that is good. It was ominous that the start. He has gone and the race

is on. The second pacemaker now has keeping a good consistent place --

James Magut. The main guys there, really you would have wanted to

outside now, Kiprop is in a good spot and he is taking the

initiative and moving ahead of Nixon Chepseba. Lots of pushing and

shoving behind. It is Kiprop setting his stall out here. He is

not kicking hard yet but he will want to control this. He feels

Nixon Chepseba behind him. These two know each other very well

indeed and Kiprop did not do so well with the slow pace of the

Kenyan trials but this looks better. The Olympic champions stretching

out on the top bend. Amine Laalou staying close as well. Nixon

Chepseba it looking like he has not got much to give. Kiprop kicking

away and this is what he was hoping for, a real confidence booster. He

looks so serene when he moves this quickly. Kiprop wins it, look at

that, three: 28.89. That last lap was deceptive. Really deceptive. He

is capable one-day somewhere of running Derry, fast and no wonder

he should be happy. He has come home with a very quick time and

third place. There will be some massive personal bests here and

Monica delivers again. Something about this track that delivers, up

1500m love it. Certainly they came here. Kiprop said he would go with

the pace and right from the start, there was the intent. Amine Laalou

was there as well. But Nixon Chepseba are chasing Kiprop and

keeping him at pace. That is a world-leading time and a very fine

performance to take into a major championship. Asbel Kiprop as

people were saying, sometimes he is all over the place but when he gets

it right, he does so very well. The time is a bit special. He is serene

looking at times. I love watching him run. He doesn't really generate

bursts of acceleration, he just wants it up and look at that, the

most comfortable looking through 0.28 I have ever seen. There are

all getting personal bests behind them as well. A very happy changing

confirmation, Asbel Kiprop with Nixon Chepseba behind and Nick

Willis behind him. A few problems with commentary sound there so

No problem with Asbel Kiprop bow. No panic, just a cool, calm and

correct performance. The stadium was erupting and applaud him

because when he puts his foot down and the acceleration takes place,

it was gentle, it was an ease of movement and that is what you

always see from the best runners in the world, they tend to collide and

it was wonderful to see it. Like Steve Cram said in commentary, it

was like he doesn't try. He put his hand up, took his flowers very

happily indeed and went on his way. Like it was another day at the

office. Exciting way to start, it a good set of two track events so far.

The 400m is next on track, the Olympic champion against the world

champion and it also features Martyn Rooney from Great Britain

and he has been speaking to our team. Martin, not a bad place to

come, does it help us get the hype around the London Olympics? Monaco

is an interesting place to come. A completely different world to what

we are used to. Beautiful weather which is probably the most

important thing at the moment. I have got up a bit of a cold at the

moment from Crystal Palace so it is nice to be out here and to come out

and do a job. Where does this race in Monaco fit into your

preparations this close to the Olympics? It has been on my plan

since the start of the year, and for me, Monaco is important. A

quick track to run him and it will be pretty much the same line-up as

before. It could be a good confidence booster and it can turn

it round and I will always look at Martyn Rooney looking relaxed ahead

of the Games and the head of the performance. You can't help feeling

he is an athlete who has not quite fulfilled his potential. You can

imagine how frustrating it must be. He knows how close he was in 2006,

that is when he got our attention on the Melbourne Commonwealth Games

where this long legged man and Steve Cram said was always going to

be an 800m runner, but we knew he had huge potential. And then injury

sets in, lot of added pressure because huge expectations set in

and he will be frustrated. If he can get 100% fit and deliver the

performance well, he can get right down into 44, 45 territory. He

would be on the rostrum at there. It is a bit frustrating for him but

he says he is healthy now and he is in the Olympic team, anything can

happen. The defending Olympic champion, Lashawn Merritt is

running here tonight. He will be looking to defend his title. Yes,

he looks confident. Last year when he returned, we thought what could

he do and this time it seems completely different. It was a

surprise, he had his positive drugs test time out. Yeah, I think that

is the background on the timing that gave him something. You have

got to get into a groove in athletics. Want to get into it, you

are there. He has been haphazard but now he has been more consistent

lost his way a bit. Yes, he has got married... That certainly does not

mean he has lost his way! He is searching for his form there but

this young man has run 44 point 45 this year. Many events on the

circuit this year. I am pretty sure the Lashawn Merritt would love to

get the world-leading time. A great contrast between the shore merit

European Boys', Kevin Borlee, and there is his brother, Jonathan.

Sensational group. And there's Martyn Rooney out there on his own

in lane eight. He knows he is up 45 seconds for the British champion

world champion versus the world junior champion versus former

Martyn Rooney has got away very quickly. The Borlees are already

catching him. The world junior champion, Luguelin Santos coming up

well. Jonathan Borlee coming very strongly here and it will be a big

battle between the Olympic champion and a world champion as they come

into the home straight. Into the home straight but poorly is going

very well and Martyn Rooney going well as well. Lashawn Merritt has

gone, he is out of it. Into the home straight it is and this is

Jonathan Borlee going very strongly, tied up a bit at the moment but

here comes Kirani James but Jonathan Borlee will Getty, but I

think Kirani James just get it, it is very close. What a run by

Jonathan Borlee but what about the reigning Olympic champion? What

about Lashawn Merritt palled up right on the top bend and he is

limping off. To Stewart, it is really interesting. In the hotel

this afternoon, at about 30 minutes, Lashawn Merritt was doing strides

in the corridor and it was a bit of an odd thing to see. You

occasionally see athletes do that occasionally and I passed in a

couple of times, he looked a bit concerned there. But is the result.

Poorly just hanging -- Borlee just hanging on to Kirani James. Plenty

to watch for here. Both of the Borlees, and moving well. Kirani

James, you sometimes want to get hold of him and pull his shoulders

back, he leans forward so much for a big guy and it looks like he will

fall over. Then Lashawn Merritt just stops running, he does not

pull anything, he stopped running. Whether he felt some cramp or

Tina's, we will have to find out but it looks bad news for him.

Jonathan Borlee storming away after that that here comes Kirani James,

the world champion full of power and strength but not quite getting

there. Watch this, does he stepped out of his lane. I think he stepped

on the line there. His actions almost put him off balance. He

leans so far forward. He was disqualified in the Eugene but

Jordan Borlee, a big win and a season's best for him. Kirani James

just behind him. What a dramatic race and Lashawn Merritt has just

walked in front of us. Is it a pull or Crump? He doesn't look that

concerned. He is just easing off the muscle. When you look at the

Kirani James performance, he looked good in 200 metres but he was a bit

lazy between 200 metres and 300 metres. And the really have to work

hard in the straight. We know he is a solid finisher but not good

speak to Martyn Rooney. He was disappointed with his time.

absolutely was. But I would not be so disappointed because coming into

this race, you would expect him to finish there. Virtually everybody

except one person got under 45 seconds this year. It is about the

race, not the time. And the winning time, yes it is a season's best but

it is not sensational. But he would have hoped to have been closer

because that has thrown the 400m wide open in the Olympics. Lashawn

Merritt hope he will recover, Kirani James getting beaten and

Martyn Rooney thought he should be in the mix. He knows he should be

in the next but we have said this time and time again, you need to be

able to compete in these conditions. These runners have run some very

tight competitions, and they are not fear for any more. We what did

you make of Lashawn Merritt? He went out and was almost on Kirani

James' shoulders and then pulled back a little but and then pulled

off. I was watching in the close-up and he did not jump in the air so

the interesting thing will be to see what he says in interviews. To

get a statement on the condition he is in. A great performance from

Jonathan Borlee. And absolutely. A sensational performance. No two

ways about it. He has also ways about it. He has also

signalled he is ready to go in London 2012. The 400m wide open in

London. At first we will look back into the middle distance British

archive would be great Olympic moment and was this the most iconic

has got himself in trouble right at the back. 320 metres to go, Warren

Leeds for Britain. Steve Ovett is in 4th place. Those blue eyes like

chips of ice. Getting knocked about. Sebastian Coe coming up, trying to

make his run. It is the Russia now. Steve Ovett in second place and

Sebastian Coe has an awful lot to do. They have been all over the

place in this race, it has been a running battle. Sebastian Coe is

beaten, surely. Steve Ovett hits the front. Steve Ovett coming home

to take the gold medal for Great Britain, to beat Sebastian Coe, who

gets the silver. In Steve Ovett looks up in triumph. That was a

race about experience. Sebastian Coe leaves the arena in

disappointment, as his great rival Steve Ovett celebrates.

It was certainly a great 100m. We will go back to 400m, LaShawn

Merritt is here, tell us what happened. I was feeling good.

looked good. I was feeling good. I kind of got a grabbing my leg. I

felt it, and then I felt it again, so instead of pushing through it, I

have the Olympics coming up, so I will get some treatment, the USA

has a great medical staff, so we will take care of it. That first

100 Comedy went out like a train. Hey, I am ready. I came here to get

a good race in. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish the race but I have

to take care of my body. And you are smiling, so hopefully it is not

too bad. The best of luck for London and thank you for speaking

to us. That is every need for LaShawn Merritt, perhaps not

porous! -- a relief. He has pulled up two weeks before the Games and

he is smiling, he feels ready to go. And I am really interested to see

the start he gets. There may only be a few days to go, but the

reality is the athletics is a long way away, and this is a red hot

events as well, the men's 800 metres. The world record holder is

not here, great things expected, but his major competitor in London

is Abubaker Kaki. And we have saying that the British athlete is

mixing with the world by as -- well's best, he has no fear. He No

he can run fast, he can run well and compete wealth -- he knows he

can run fast. Just that little bit more work that he need that comes

with the years and there we will see the best of them. Right now, he

is looking good, but in the future, plenty more to come. Didn't Wilson

Peter break the world record in Monaco? Your memory is very good

indeed. Nick Symmonds of the United States, we know he has run well at

world championships. Andrew Osagie is looking nice and comfortable and

confident. So it is a good day. At the cat at lackey only finish 4th

in London, he didn't look that good -- Abubaker Kaki. I am hearing that

the meeting record is 1: 42.57, up so I am hearing that he probably

didn't break the world record. Steve Cram knows a bit about the

pace. For to ban 0.5, the pacemaker and find a position behind Kawecki.

Matthew Scherer steady through 200. Advocate that happy was

disappointing in London -- at the car Cath Mackie. He was poor,

we mentioned only arm. For tonight 0.55. And -- 49.55. A book of --

Abubaker Kaki looking vulnerable again. He is really struggling. It

is the 17-year-old Leonard Kosencha at the moment. Abraham Rotich is

holding second place. Abubaker Kaki is nowhere and the rest are looking

like they will attack. Lookout for the likes of Nick Symmonds and the

home straight. Here we go, the 17- year-old and the 19-year-old first

and second. And Duane Solomon having a cracking run in Monaco.

Nick Symmonds will finish quickly but the youngsters are heading this

said. It is a real battle between the Kenyan teenagers and Abraham

Rotich WinZip. 1: 43.13. He has just smashed the Kenyan junior

record again -- Abraham Rotich wins it. But this may, where do they

turn next, if you like? They have world junior champions, they have

the world record holder in David Rudisha, and he has do have one eye

over his shoulder when he sees what these youngsters are doing. Abraham

Rotich and Leonard Kosencha eyeball-to-eyeball down the home

straight, a superb race and some fast times behind them. It was

perfect pace by Matthew Scherer, he is getting a reputation for getting

it absolutely right. He is in the blue on the outside. Certainly,

when you look at the quality of the two Juniors, first of all Abubaker

Kaki is no longer the force. Leonard Kosencha and Abraham Rotich

have both had the junior record this season, now it is with Abraham

Rotich again. Duane Solomon also coming through, he was third in the

US trials with 1: 44.65. But that was a very good run indeed and as

Steve said, where on earth do they come from in Kenya? It really is a

whole field of talent from start to finish. Here they go. Look at the

look of determination on Abraham Rotich's face, furthest away from

us. Leonard Kosencha had that the junior record and then it went to

Abraham Rotich, and now Abraham metres. Andrew Osagie is alongside

me. Just talk us through the race from your perspective. I think that

is close to my personal best, so it is not a bad race but I want a bit

more, to be honest. I have been training ready well, I thought I

could try something different. But I missed a few opportunities, I was

going on the outside a lot, not the inside lane. It was a great race,

an amazing stadium and an amazing atmosphere. People often don't

realise how tactical the 800 metres is. You can be in fantastic shape

but the way you judge it can make a big difference. Eban apace like

this, you have to be in the right position. -- even at a pace like

this. You have to work out what it is, but it is difficult, it is our

job. I was saying that the most important thing for you is to get a

couple of years consistency behind you and get into these big races,

and that is when you will really shine, because you are not

frightened of anybody, are you? am not frightened of anybody, even

eight, my worst performance in the last couple of years. And it is a

personal best, it doesn't get much better than that! A great track, a

great atmosphere and I wanted to raise well before the Olympics,

which is what I am aiming for. to Portugal now. Yes, a bit of sun

for a change. I am really looking forward to it. And when you go to

London? On August 3rd, and I race on August 6th. I am keeping my hair,

I look like Colin Jackson otherwise. A great way to finish you needed to

London, all the very best and trained well for the next couple of

weeks. I will try my best. That is the way to go into an Olympic Games.

Brilliant. Slightly disappointed, but when he sees the results, it is

outstanding. But Abraham Rotich perhaps, with that performance,

putting something other? Adam Mynott David Rudisha. Not quite, it

is still a long way. -- but in something other question mind of

David Rudisha? Four years ago, she was the darling of Beijing.

She was the female counterpart to Usain Bolt, and has been in the

shadows since then by choice and through injury, but she is back and

she has been speaking to us. Do you feel you are back to your

best after a difficult couple of years? Yes, I think I am back in

top shape. I feel like they did before, confident and strong.

were the best female pole vaulter the world has ever seen. Did that

take its toll on you mentally? course, it was difficult, because I

have to always perform at the top level and the crowd always expect

at least world records from me, at least. Under course, a victory

without world records becomes boring for them -- and of course.

And it hurts me a little bit and I felt all of the time pressure when

I was competing, but for the moment, I am fine. When you have been the

very best and you are twice the Olympic champion, how tough was it

to struggle as she did at the World Championships in 2009 and 2011?

was really difficult, it was their big sadness for me, because I used

to be on the top of the time -- all the time, I used to victory, and at

that moment, I had to explain what went wrong, while I was defeated.

That was difficult, but at the same time, I got very good lessons and

experience that even if I am on my very top level, I shouldn't be

relaxed. Because my rivals are also trading, always trying to beat me

and trying to get the top position -- training. It shows me that no

one is sleeping, everyone is training hard and never to relax.

You are going for a third successive gold medal in London.

How much would it mean to achieve that? It will be historical in

athletics and all time, and of course, the gold medal is always

special. And for me, the more I do it now with more experience, I

value more these victories than before, maybe. Now I realise the

value of each night -- medal. It is certainly good to have Yelena

Isinbayeva back, I think the sport has Mr. I think so. Sometimes she

has to take a deep breath and reassess what she has to do and she

seems ready confident, I am happy to see her. We will go back to the

pole vault later, we have Holly Bleasdale in that, I think she is

open -- over have opening height which is good news. This is the

Women's 100m. Blessing of could Bari, a surprise winner in London.

and has returned to some kind of form after she ran that sensational

10.77. Kerron Stewart has run at 10.75 in had time, not so quick

this year. This young lady has had a traumatic time. Dead-heated with

Allyson Felix in the US trials, she pulled out, isn't going to go to

the Games apart from the relay. Myriam Soumare is a big crowd

pleaser from France, a talented athlete. And little Lauryn Williams.

She was world champion in 2005. Unfortunately, not in that type of

form now, but again, this will be a hot race, hopefully below 11

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds

mother-son going very strong with Okagbare and it Okagbare will take

it, at Madison get second and it is 10.96. No win whatsoever. I have to

say that really women's sprinting developing -- no wind whatsoever.

She took the scalp of Carmelita Jeter as she has taken a few more

scalps today. This woman is only 23, 10.99 was her best in London and

she is getting better and better, personal best at 10.96 and what a

performance that was, a terrific run. Pretty even looking half way

down but my goodness, as the race developed,... Lalova is a good

start, but Okagbare is a little ungainly at times but right at the

end, it is strength that gets her there. Jeneba Tarmoh took a

terrible fall across the line incidently. Maddison is impressing

a lot of people with her sprinting. You saw what Okagbare did to

Carmelita Jeter the other day. You have to take the conditions. It is

about somebody in great winning form and Okagbare now is. Two very

good feels that she has beaten now. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce pulled up

in London with the cold air a bit. Really impressed with Okagbare, she

has got herself into shape at just the right time. She is not bowed

out of the blocks and Lalova is always a good start of. Mother-son

was away well. But it was a there from Okagbare, she is in

great form going into London. There was the men's 4x100m and the

women's racers whelk involving Carmelita Jeter. This is what

Madison got of a very well at on the outside, the USA, two teams...

Benevolence team run out a bit, they did not get the baton -- the

Netherlands team. A very poor changeover from the inside for the

USA. Jeneba Tarmoh to Carmelita Jeter is the last changeover on the

outside, it will be Gardener to Duncan. Coming down the straight,

USA coming away with this, the B team. Laws have changed over

problems. USA, Kimberley Duncan, 48.24 -- 42 point 24. When you talk

about the team of Madison, Felix, Carmelita Jeter and to neighbour

Timo, you cannot get better than that.

We can also catch up with another event happening earlier on, that

not performing to the best of his performance as we have seen. Salad

Dino, the defending Olympic champion trying to get some form as

the heads into London to defend his competition so far and this... Look

at that. He is a lovely looking long jumper, whatever state of

fitness he is in. He starts to get it right and the others might start

as well. They have not been considering him too much but that

could well already be a season's best. Perfect on the board.

Fantastic height. A bit of a ragged day the rigour -- day for Olga

Rypakova. She finally got it all together in the 5th round and

jumped 15.46. She was not reckoning with this young lady, Kimberly

Williams of Jamaica who has been getting better and better this year.

She has already added three personal bests. Formerly from

Florida State University and at the very last round having seen second

place taken away from her, almost jumped her personal best and was

behind on the board but went out to 14.50, two centimetre shy of the

best which she set back home in Kingston. And her National

moment. The wind conditions were pretty stale all the way through

the competition and so strong, she is. Really athletic figure, jumping

out to 40.85 in the second round. She back put up with a 14.80 in the

final round but she did not need that. And Kimberly Williams very

impressive in second place and Olga Rypakova having to settle for third

place. Catching up with the result of the

discus which finished some time ago. Third place, it occur three rounds

to get into her form. It was good enough to take a third place for

goalless barrier us -- Yarelis Barrios. And Nadine Muller, the

second place in Daegu, big personal best for her but 64 point 64 in the

first round was her best performance just short of the 65-

metre line and her next best was 64 point 60 in round two but overall,

it was not an impressive series and that at point she was in the lead

but then came Sandra Perkovic of Croatia who is a Diamond League

leader with a first-round throw of 65 metres and 29 centimetres which

was good enough to win, the very first throw she took. She was

consistent but not a great series but that was good enough to take

the lead and establish the target for the rest. It was never

surpassed. Her series featured three a no throws. Not quite the

series she wanted but good enough to win and once again she is at the

helm of this event internationally. She goes forward to the Olympic

bit more beside and you can see one week to go until London 2012. And

there will be unprecedented coverage on the BBC. And to tell

you more about it, my lookalike We want to make sure you have get

the best out of this event and so we have invented a live interactive

video player that allows you to watch every moment of the game.

Imagine you're watching the 5,000 metres live and you decide you want

to see the triple jump that was on earlier. All you do is click and

you instantly rewind back to the moment you want to watch. Was to

have caught up, jump back to the here and now by clicking on a live.

your straight back into the action and you can deliver the action in

high-definition and then the extras button. Click on this and you'll

find lots of great information. If you're watching the track cycling

and are wondering what the different events are, the sport

guide will tell you. And then there's Olympics leave. Turn it on

and it will alert you to the key moment around the Games so you

never miss anything that matters. And with the athletes panel if

you're watching the running and want in-depth information about one

of the row was, the information is there. 24 live events can take

place at one time so we have arranged everything to make it

easier for you to find the best of the action. In short with the BBC's

new lip interactive video player, we are giving you complete control

of what you want to watch and when. Go to BBC .co.uk/Sport 2 never miss

a moment of the Olympic Games on JONATHAN EDWARDS: One week to go

until the Olympics ceremony, we have been waiting a long time but

the Olympics kicks off a few days before that with women's football

with a Team GB against New Zealand on BBC One on Wednesday at 3:30pm.

On BBC Three Monday and to step from 7pm, another chance to see the

best of British Olympic dreams following our hopefuls on their

journey through to London. Certainly something to look forward

to. Just a week to go almost and we can hardly believe it. I also can't

believe that it is in my home town of Cardiff. It starts there.

have talked about Holly Bleasdale in the pole vault and we can catch

who has really come to the fore this year she faltered a little but

now coming back into really good form. That is very good pole-

vaulting indeed. The best this season of 4.71 but that is a

clearance of 4.62. It took a two Really good to build confidence and

the pole vault there. Yes and you need to be competitive in an

environment where you should be belonging. Holly is in a

competition where the seven women have gone over 4.70 metres so this

is what it will feel like at the Olympic Games. These are the people

she will be rubbing shoulders with and it is great to come to an event

like this and getting into a groove. Yelena Isinbayeva is yet to start

but given the lack of jumpers she has had, also questions in her mind.

Yes, but she is always confident. She has the confidence of going

over five metres more times than anybody else, she has gone over

4.75 metres in her first competition this year. All the

women will be prowling around looking at her as she hides as

usual under her towel, an occasional glance to look at the

competition. We have seen her prepared before. She is jumping

with the best and she does not change her way of preparation so

with that in mind, she will still be quite anxious of what she can do.

Also interesting hearing her talk about the pressure. Not just the

gold medal but able to record. But that is what got to her, she said

she needs a break. You have a support mechanism that expected to

do the book. It is not easy to do that. She has done well to take the

break off and she has come back still like a champion with that air

of being an Olympic champion around her and that is always nerve-

wracking for your opponents. Realistically what should we expect

for Holly Bleasdale? Back to the beginning of this year, jumping

indoors with 4.87, third all time indoors, her world has changed.

no two ways about it. She is focusing on the Rio de Janeiro but

she has opportunity here. You should never put age on an

athlete's ability. If you can do that the unique time performances,

do not worry if you won 19 or 20, deliver what you are capable of. We

are not talking about various things we are talking about the

gold. It is always great to see these. Track events with 3000m, it

as an event which is a bit confusing because once the women

step up to this, you do not see run 2.54, the group, then the 2.5

seven, and have decided to slow down. -- 2.57. Sylvia Kibet getting

closer to Shannon Rowbury. Simpson is in a great place, and if you

remember the world championships last year, great pace on the last

lap for her, and the pushing and shoving starts. It is the young

Ethiopian Azemra Gebru who comes up on the outside. And since then,

from being in a perfect position, is now in a terrible place. It is

still be a cadet, Mimi Belete watching her. -- it is Sylvia Kibet.

Still anybody's race. Emebet Anteneh are moving into third place.

Jenny Simpson of the USA, when really she should have been coming

to the fore at this point, is disappearing. And Shannon Rowbury

looks as if she can't do anything to hold the African challenge. It

is Kenya won and two. Mercy Cherono Shannon Rowbury trying to get back

trouble, but nobody is going to catch Mercy Cherono. She is

starting to tie up a little bit. Shannon Rowbury finishing very

quickly. Mercy Cherono When Sid from Sylvia Kibet. Buze Diriba get

their it. -- Mercy Cherono wins it. 60.4 for the last lap. Impressive

as that what, at -- impressive as that was, or the rest of the race

was forgettable. Shannon Rowbury did OK getting through, but if you

come to Monaco and you want a big blow-out, Mercy Cherono and Sylvia

Kibet are not going to the Games, they were not interested with going

with the pace. It was pretty pedestrian. A personal best for her,

too much to do. She was in the wrong place as Mercy Cherono took

off. She looked like she might fade, but not so in the end. Buze Diriba

coming in third place behind Sylvia Kibet. Finishing strongly in front

of Azemra Gebru, who is only 20, but is the third fastest in the

world this year on time. And once again, it is an African domination

of that race, as is often the case these days. Mercy Cherono is a

5000m specialist. She had strength and speed endurance and did the job.

If you think how easily Mercy Cherono was allowed kick to the

other night in a 5,000, you can see the way down, he got it with his

calf muscles as he drifted through just for the British viewers back

home. He is clear at that height. The Irving Saladino still leading

himself go for it here. It is such an open event. And you get the

feeling if he could pull something together, they will all start

thinking about him again. Mitchell Watt has moved into second place.

That lovely smooth action. Not as good. When you look at that, when

he took off, there was backward rotation. He didn't really get

forward enough and the backward rotation... He was OK on the board

but he didn't quite control it. He was leaning backwards all the time

when he landed. So technically, not that good for a man of his quality.

looking at the competition thus far -- the javelin. 82.57, R Alexander

Piat Niazi their is the leader. -- to prevent them from measuring that.

Roman Avramenko is in the lead at the moment. Sometimes there is no

wind here, so there is no help whatsoever, so I don't expect the

distances to be really high. As Steve was saying, at the early

point of this competition, there was a really big withdrawal.

Good to see Irving Saladino coming into some form. Chris Tomlinson is

not up to that 7.26 he did in London and Robbie Grabarz failed

his first attempt at 2.33. Next it is the 110 metres hurdles for the

men, this year it has been very good. It has been Electric. It has

been incredible, he is just a majestic runner. He has got a real

liquid action. The back leg comes over, it hits the floor with a nice

rhythmical timing and that is what propels him forward. I have seen

him prove so much this year. He will love running here. It is very

still air, there is nothing to crush him in any shape or form. So

Aries Merritt is going to compete against the world champion.

Absolutely, Jason Richardson. How far away is he from running

something close to the world record of Dayron Robles? It is about that

cushion with the time. He has got long legs and that can sometimes be

a problem for you. Especially towards the back end of the race,

because you can't get them out of the way. So he may slightly

struggle if there is too much curtailment. Dimitri Bascou, he is

one of the developing athletes from France. Garfield Darien had an

incredible European Championships in Helsinki, he ran 13.15 in the

semi-final, and he chased all the way to the gold medal. Jeff Porter

is in the US team. He is Tiffany Porter's husband, so we will see

lots of him. The world champion, Jason Richardson, he has run 12.98

this year, always been competitive. It surprised many others last year

to see his rise to form. Aries Merritt, the man I was talking

about, what a talent he is. here is the man you feel sorry for,

David Oliver. He is the US record holder. When you think of all the

greats there have been in the past and he has just missed out. Sergey

Shubenkov, at he is the European champion. And this young man from

Jamaica, he is the Jamaican champion also. So this is a really

competitive race. Stuart Storey is competitive race. Stuart Storey is

He is already ahead of the field. Jason Richardson chasing him Dad.

These two ahead of the rest of the field. Sergey Shubenkov are going

well. Aries Merritt takes it, 12.94, another terrific run. It is below

13, below 13 and again, below 13. A new meeting record takes David

Oliver's record away from him. Those seven strides after the first

hurdle, before this season it was eight. Now like they'd run Rovers

and David Oliver, they are all- night seven strides now -- they are

all their seven strides. Aries Merritt is very strong now. He

could well they have become a favourite. -- well they become a

favourite. If he keeps running like this, he will be. So quick to that

first hurdle. Jason Richardson trying to run him down, almost

loses it on the penultimate hurdle. He almost went. That cost him. I

think he would have been below 13 seconds as well. And the young

Russian is improving, he has run a personal best, and he may well be a

threat. But if this man continues to be as consistent as this, then

events if they run Rover has comes back, etc, it is going to be tough

to beat him -- even if they run Rob Myers comes back. His season's best,

he just looks so as mood. Richardson, though, I do think was

getting there. He definitely on the penultimate hurdle was bought

because of hitting back and then he hit the last hurdle as well. But it

is really shaping up to be one of the events at the Olympic Games.

certainly is. Basically, the basic speed of Aries Merritt has improved

and Richard Stanhope is coached by John Smith and is getting his basic

speed up as well. -- Richardson is coached by John Smith. That was the

pressure coming, he hit it with his legal aid. But he has got such a

trail leg, he comes through. And once that comes through, but lead

leg comes down. But Aries Merritt is chop, chop, chop, beautiful lead

leg. Look how quickly it can stand and in to bat first stride of the

hurdle, it is so important to get that first strike off the hurdle.

We had a terrific demonstration. The added problem is a fit Daily

Jang is strong over the first part just having a 110 metres hurdles

Congress. Normally, we are behind the barrier and we are the other

side of where the athletes are. We have the computer of there, we have

the monitor, and they were all gathering around it. It was very

amusing. It was. I have got to apologise, I am absolutely showing

my age, you said... USSR. What am I doing? It is Russia. And he set a

new national record, a very talented young man. And he

absolutely smashed one of the hurdles, which cost him an even

faster time. Watch that young man. I know the hurdlers at home know

him very well, they beat him when he was a junior, so they know what

they can achieve. And how good is Aries Merritt? Three runs below 13

seconds. This man has just repeated it time and again and delivered

under pressure, so for me, we are talking about who is the favoured?

It is this man, because he is the most consistent. And if he runs

like that, I think everybody else will be chasing. Liu Chang is

capable, assuming that the issue is a minor thing. We know he can run

under pressure, how can a Aries Merritt run under pressure?

good thing is Aries Merritt gets out of the blocks very well indeed

and if you can establish the rhythm of the race quickly, then everybody

else is chasing. Everybody will say he has run to 12.93, everybody

knows he can do it time and again, so you have got to get out of the

blocks with him, otherwise he will lead from front to the end. Going

back to my question beforehand, you have got a 10th of a second, how

different is the rhythm? It doesn't sound like very much, but how

different does it feel? It doesn't sound like much but it is about the

speed over the barrier and that is what alters your whole timing. I

keep going on about these tiny things, but they are crucial that

you get into this rhythm. You mix it at the highest level, you

deliver performance. Consistency will always win the day. Another

great race in prospect at London. has got and that looks a little

better, that is going to take him in the lead by the cupboard. At

Hickey is in the lead any way with attacked it. He has won ed. That is

the last throw of the competition. to one of the great Olympic Games

in all time, we will do exactly the same for the women's 800m, not

quite so far back, that was 2004 I do not think I need to go any

the right thing, sitting off the pace. Kelly Holmes goes past...

Kelly follows in the wake of Maria. Remember Kelly Holmes was leading

in the Olympic Games of Sydney and can she do a bit better this time?

Kelly isn't a great place there. -- is in a great place. She wants to

control this, Kelly Holmes is running on the outside but what

about Miles Clark? Kelly Holmes fighting for the gold medal Kelly

Holmes bringing it home for Great Britain, can she get there? One

more, Kelly, it is gold! She has got the goal for Great Britain!

What a race, what a performance... You have won it, Kelly! Yes, you

have won! The gold medal, Kelly Holmes is the Olympic champion.

JONATHAN EDWARDS: I love the commentary. Steve Cram was telling

her that she had won it. It was a real shock. The start of the

women's 800 now, lane one interesting, still a massive

disappointment that she did not but here's Yelena Isinbayeva, her

opening height in this women's pole vault but she has had warned

failure and I am assuming this is her second attempt -- she has had a

1 failure. And another failure, and mess that was recorded as the first

failure, we are not sought. Silke Spiegelburg has unclear at 4.72

metres and Holly Bleasdale has chosen to pass that high it, two

failures for Yelena Isinbayeva. Let's get back to the women's 800m

and joined our commentary team. COMMENTATOR: If you have not heard

of the new African champion from Beckwith, the American

championships, despite a big win in London the other night. Irina

Maracheva who represented Russia in the European Championships. The

Cuban athlete who has been very good, Yuneysi Santiusti. Not so

much good form shown by Caster Semenya this year. A real up and

down season. And then the American champion, Alysia Montano. She wears

a colourful flower in her hair and they will be chasing the pacemaker,

Yuliya Krevsun. The questions here. His Semenya in the sort of shape to

take on the big rivals at the been set for and I am really

excited to watch this new Burundi talent. Francine Niyonsaba, the

first raised outside Africa. She wants to get up with the big names

and it is she is a heck of a tired but all over the place. Yuliya

Krevsun taking them through the first 200 metres and Francine

Niyonsaba close behind. Alysia Montano is also beside. Yelena

Kofanova as well but a big gap opening up. This is quick. Alysia

Montano. She is leading them through. The Russian looking

comfortable and the young Burundi athlete with the first ever big

race is right up there, Marilyn Okoro has gone with the pace. The

person no where near this is Caster dangerous. They will have to really

push through -- Yelena Kofanova is pushing through. Marilyn Okoro

looking strong. The young bull run the athlete is not finished yet and

she is coming back as well. -- book this up, she is a raw talent. I

promise you she will be a bit big name in the future. Francine

Niyonsaba absolutely all over the place but you lane eight --It could

find other. We might seek Caster Semenya cuts a disconsolate figure,

we might just have seen our first glimpse of a new name at 800m, a

big thing for me to throw that on at her but you look at the lender

this would Lady could run very well. Would have to go back to 1996 to

get a book on the athlete -- a athlete from Burundi. Uninhibited

running and a bit of an elbow nudged. She really got stuck into

this but look at this, she is ahead of Alysia Montano, and ahead of the

rest of them but the Russian athlete ran well indoors so one

would expect her to be up there and that was pretty good, pretty good.

National record in second place for Francine Niyonsaba, and our winner

involved, he is in second place. -- champions are made of. Look at that,

the determination there and he needed that badly to stay in the

competition. He has taken the lead without with Robbie Grabarz in

second place at the moment. And Robbie Grabarz has seen that and he

is in second place. By Stuart Storey said, we have not

seen it but Robbie Grabarz clearance on the second jump. He

came here for a conference boozed and that is pretty much it. Yes, he

has delivered it. Another performance of over 2.30. We talked

about the women's pole vault been strong but this high jump every

single person in the field has gone over 2.30 metres. This is how

strong the competition is. No 800 - - no-man's 100 metres but we will

see another event shortly but before that week spoke to Tyson Gay

Are you fit and well? Here, I still have time to work on my endurance.

You have had some well-documented problems with your hip, it required

surgery. The you still get troubled by it? So lightly. But it comes

with the territory now. A figure will be OK. Has that injury

effectively ruin your chances in Beijing, you went out in the semi-

finals. How difficult was it to take? In it was very tough. It was

pretty tough so I just want to redeem myself. That failure in a

sense to fulfil your potential at the Olympics, does that make you

doubly determined in London? I do not want to walk away from this

with a sad heart. Is it almost the race going over and over in your

mind, this close? It does sometimes. Sometimes it does and I try not to

think about it too much. Sometimes I can't sleep. You get images of

Usain Bolt in your head! No, no. It is nothing like that. It is just

the race in general. I just try to put it together. Do you believe

that Usain Bolt, despite being beaten in the Jamaica trials, do

you believe he is still the man to beat? Yes, I do. Yohan Blake, you

have to go with the favourites. They have got the harder work to

prove it. How much will it mean to you to get on the podium? It's

to a good start and get them down the back, they are hoping he can

turn on the burners. The changeover is pretty good. Also going well on

the outside, the American second team, the Canadians going well and

Gatland to Tyson Gay, Gatland had to really hold on there but Tyson

Gay into his stride now. It is wavering around again but Ryan

Bailey has got the baton, it will be close but he will run it down

and bring it home for the USA team. That is 36 quick with a couple of

very dodgy changeovers. If they get the changeover is correct, how fast

the Baker? To be honest, but is not impressive in terms of the changing

over, particularly the second and the US team. It happened a bit

earlier on that this happened just now on, Yelena Isinbayeva with her

Isinbayeva, look at that, past all the way through, decided to come in

at 4.70, this is a test of her character. She has come here

expecting to go Clear and expecting to go way beyond 4.80, and saving

the strength and power for later on everything is right. A firm grip is

important. The rehearsal going on. And no, at no! That is not the

competition that she need to go into an Olympic Games wet.

Isinbayeva goes out and. That is not the result she wanted at all.

Robbie Grabarz in the high jump. So close. This man is definitely going

to get to these heights again. He has done 2.36 this season, but I

think he will go better than that. He has the quality, he has the

confidence, he is the European champion. He gets the height, he

just comes down on the bar. His coach will want to look at that and

will be offering some words of advice. Jesse Williams will have

taken him yet again, but it was only on countback. Because all

decided at 2.26, when Robert Grabarz took three attempts and

2.36, just to underline his victory. He is trying to get the crowd

involved. It is a really good crowd here in Monaco. A lovely evening,

great conditions, they have since the great performances. Can Jesse

Williams, already won the in good form. The two of them now

they have a real job on their hands with the Russians. They have sent

their 4th string of Russian up today and he has finished in 5th

place. A win for Jesse Williams, Robbie Grabarz in second place.

Holly Bleasdale in the pole vault. She passed that 4.70. But wasn't a

bad effort. And in -- that wasn't a bad effort. She is in joint third

Robbie Grabarz, a great performance, but for Isinbayeva, the reigning

Olympic champion, at more questions than answers. The 200m there, we

are expecting to see the man, Usain Bolt. How worried should we be?

They would have announced if there was anything drastic that would

affect his performance, so I am pretty confident, but this 200m is

the real race of the meeting when it comes to sprint racing. Wallace

Spearmon, we know what he is capable of, 19.65 seconds. He is a

sensational talent. Martine that ran Christophe Lemaitre right to

the line in London -- Martina. So many people have gone close to the

22nd barrier. Maurice Mitchell from the United States, an Olympic

banned. Second in the US Championships, 20.13 this year.

Calesio Newman is just missed out, that position we all hate, 4th. It

means to stay at home. He is in lane eight, the favoured track for

200m running. Wallace Spearmon has got a very

good lay in, in the 5th lane. His best this season, 19.95, but he is

gone off a very fast. -- Nickel Ashmeade. What a good then he has

had. What a transition as well. Wallace Spearmon are coming through

but Nickel Ashmeade has a big lie in. -- lead. ChurandyMartina came

through. I think it is between Martina and Wallace Spearmon for

second place. Nickel Ashmeade, what about that. He was seconded New

York in 1994, proved himself there, but that was a terrific end there

and his transition into the straight was very good. And just

for once, Wallace Spearmon, who we have seen catch people have been

the final stages, just couldn't do it, couldn't get close and the

awkward ChurandyMartina. -- nor could. Wallace Spearmon cannot

start like this, he is slow out of the blocks and the men either side

of him, Nickel Ashmeade and Martina, they get a yard on him straight

away, which turns into two in the home straight. Ben Wallace Spearmon

start running but Nickel Ashmeade is away. He starts to tire,

ChurandyMartina comes through, and they hold for second place. Wallace

Spearmon is coming into good form at the right time, with a win at

the American trials and getting in the American team, perhaps a little

bit of a surprise in some respects, but Nickel Ashmeade, of course,

surrounded by superb talent in his country. At this point of the race,

Wallace Spearmon, you can't Treacy in super slo-mo, he holds his form

a bit better. There she can't really see. Nickel Ashmeade is

tightening up, he is putting his shoulders back. Wallace Spearmon it

anything is trying a little bit too hard. When he is flowing more

smoothly, he might come through a little more. He put himself under

so much pressure with that bad start. Martine that as ever --

Martina as ever... It was poured over the first 10 metres. His bend

was appalling, and he paid the five Jamaicans who have done that

and he is not even in the team, which puts into context the

challenge for the guys behind him. There is no doubt. He ran a bit of

a clumsy race at the championships, he went off way too hard, ran

really hard around the turn in the Jamaican championships and paid the

penalty. Today, he ran a good, quality bend, saved a bit for the

home straight and just hung on. But ultimately, he will take this

victory and think he did well and one in Monaco, but it is no

consolation of not starting the Olympic Games. Let's talk about

Usain Bolt. There was a documentary on BBC Three last week about who

can beat him. We know who can, it is Yohan Blake. It changes the

dynamic of both the 100 and the 200. It adds some excitement. Only these

two guys No honestly had a man in charges. They both trained very

hard, they know each other very well and are very much friends, so

they enjoy the camaraderie and the building process. I can imagine the

banter that will go on beforehand. It's hard to kind of believe that

happens, contenders for two Olympic titles, and yet they do seem to be

genuine friends, which only stops what is almost a call to their

marks. One thing that Yohan Blake is known as is the beast, and every

time he goes on the line, everybody is there to be beaten. Friend or no

friend, he wants to the first, and that is the right attitude. If you

can train with somebody and still have that killer instinct when it

matters, then it makes a big difference to your overall

performance. So I think, of course, a Yohan Blake is going to be very

dangerous, but I still think the fact that Usain Bolt has all of

those titles behind him and has run faster this year, we saw him run in

Rome, he has still got to start as the favourite. We saw them in the

relay earlier run as we watch Usain Bolt now, we have Justin Gatlin

with a lot to prove since his drugs ban, we have Tyson Gay, double

world champion over 102 hundred metres, and both of them believe

they can beat Usain Bolt as well -- 100m and 200m. Lots of people have

beaten Usain Bolt in circuit races like this, when it matters a little

bit but not that much. If you think about how he lists his performance

when he goes to championships, you have not seen any of his world

records at side of championships. That man can raise his game when it

comes to the magic of the championships, so just because he

loses the Jamaican championships and is not running 9.6, when it

comes to the competitive spirit that he can show, he will be there

or thereabouts. He lost the 100m and is thinking he needs to put

Yohan Blake in his place ahead of their games. And what you would

think it is stronger distance, he struggled. I am going to say it

again, he hasn't run any 200m this year, he struggled with the rhythm.

It is crucial if you are going to go up against the world leaders. If

you can remember going back to the surprise and Usain Bolt's face when

Yohan Blake ran the second-fastest 200m ever. Like, where did he get

that from? Now he knows exactly what his training partner can do.

Yohan Blake hasn't produced anything that scintillating yet,

but he is still the world leader and knows that if he goes into the

race and Usain Bolt's shoulder, he will keep working and it might be

enough to tighten Usain Bolt up. That is a strange thing for me,

because you did see that he watched the Brussels raised for 1926 and it

would give him the motivation, and he hasn't -- Brussels race. He has

struggled with his start, he should run more 200m. When you run at the

bend, you get into that pitter- patter stride length very early on

in the race to go around the corner. You can adapt that pitter-patter

stride in the 100m, which again is pretty crucial when you are looking

for ground and speed at the beginning of the race. That is

where it may have made a difference for Usain Bolt, but he has nailed

some good starts and when he does that, he runs good times. We saw

him they lit when he ran at 9.76. Everybody has got to fear, because

if he does get out, and he only needs to do it once, the title has

gone. But it is absolutely the case that it is much more interesting

when it is not a procession. We shall see in a short period of time.

Let's get back out to the field and catch up with the men's javelin.

Vadims Vasilevskis was eventually in second place, he went into this

role in 4th place as you can see. This was his 5th round the row. A

very, very solid, very strong and no Fagnes about it at all, but the

end result, 81 pts 90. -- no finesse about it at all, but the

throw -- no throws. 82.95, and that was good enough to win the

competition. It wasn't a great competition, but there is no wind

out there at all and they really had to work for the distances today.

Just short on that one, didn't quite get enough range on the ball

on that the and the end result, it We have had some great races down

through the years. The French have a great tradition in this race.

There is the man. You think he is unbeatable. He has run with a lot

of excitement. Look at that, 7 1: 54.31, and there is a vicious

rumour he wants to get close to that -- 7.5 4.31. There is no wind

at Old today. We saw a great 1,500 metres, I think we will see a great

Benjamin Kipruto who came alive in the last two laps and then already

fast race turned into an almost world record. The promoters rather

laughingly said they were hoping for a stadium record today, because

Kipruto was one hundredth of a second of the world record last

year. If Paul Koech was to go faster than that, or anyone else

was to go faster, we would be in for something and it would be a

world record, or at least equalling it. He could run 100 better and

equalled the world record. This is interested -- interesting, because

if anybody had the chance to watch the world junior championships, the

new Kipruto, Conselus Kipruto, he is such a lovely looking runner and

someone who is an exciting talent. He is tucked in on the inside at

the moment behind Paul Koech. And young Jairus Birech, some great

young names to perhaps one day take over from Kipruto. Just a word on

Paul Koech, the rumour is that the Kenyans are considering... He is

the world No. 1 in terms of times this year and Diamond League

performances, but he just cannot produce the performances he needs

to have at altitude and that is what happened at the Kenyan trials

again and he finished in 7th place in that race. I thought his chances

had gone, the chance of the Olympics, but they have named four

and you can put a reserve in and he has been named as the reserve, so

and he finds it very difficult to compete at altitude but on sea

level, he is absolutely dominant in many respects. He is a man who

could break the world record, the schedule they have set up tonight

is a 2.38 for that place, but 20 of barriers, Severn water jumps in

this race and it is rhythm-sapping, it is tough on the physiology.

others have decided to go with the pace, rather interesting. I am

doing a calculation, but this does not look quick enough. It is lower

than they were asked for. They will be way off the target. The

pacemaking, you can see 2.44. They can get quicker and sometimes

Vasilyeva's had fast -- Koech has Koech realising that the other

Koech had not done a good job. Looking behind us we break off,

Silke Spiegelburg. Yes, you can see she has had one failure at 4.82.

This is a second attempt, two attempt at 4.70. Good speed. Oh,

yes, it stayed there! She has got it. Silke Spiegelburg, that is a

terrific vault. Her personal best cent this year and now she has got

another one, 4.82 going into the Olympic Games and the European

silver medallist back in 2010, four German indoor record between 2009

and 2012, three European silvers and that is the sort of form as she

takes into the Olympic Games. She tapped it on their way down but

nevertheless it's stayed there and that is what matters. Yelena

Isinbayeva came here as the favourite, failed her opening

height of 4.73 times and this woman has set a personal best -- 4.703

times. The All Koech will be left leading because the pace has been

slow in the first 1000m and then it picked up again but Hillary Kipsang

Yego has been unable to pick that up. The familiar figure of Richard

Mateelong there. Some other athletes looking tired at this pace.

And Bernard Nganga, and the American looking very good, Evan

Jager. Only three Americans have ever run under 8.10 here. Using a

sort of territory. Hillary Kipsang Yego, they were supposed to go

through the next marker at 5.16. The pace has not been good enough.

Coward will have to decide what he can do you over these last two laps.

The youngster Conselus Kipruto moving up but watch the American in

the green. A great run from him. You do not often see Americans this

close to this sort of place. Are absolutely not but I wonder if

Koech will get Jairus Kipchoge United States is now about 30

metres behind and now Koech has got a lot of work to do. The first

1,000 not so quick and that may well cost him in terms of time but

you cannot fault the dominance that this man has. He really attack the

barriers and off the early pace, I wonder if he will be able to put

together a faster 1000m to bring him close to the sort of time that

he will want. Anything around eight minutes would be good. I cannot

really emphasise what a great run Evan Jager is having for the USA,

he is in 4th place at the moment. The American record is about that

time, a good battle for second, the two young Kenyans there. Paul Koech

takes the bell right on the seven- minute mark. It will be close and

the American is moving into second place and is giving chase. This

will create all sorts of excitement across the Atlantic. Have the

Americans unearthed a steeplechaser here? Is Koech doing enough to

persuade the Kenyan selectors that he is worth a spot? The junior

champion is chasing him down. Koech is looking tired and Conselus

Kipruto moves ahead of the American and with every stride gets closer

to Koech. That gap is a big one boat and Koech has been here before

so many times. It is only about five metres out of the water jump.

Here comes Conselus Kipruto. Koech looks around again and the

youngster is coming, the world junior champion, terrible hurdling

technique but he can sprint and here he comes, Conselus Kipruto

will get there! He picks himself up, takes the wind and Evan Jager of

the USA, that has got to be an American record. What a run from

him. Prince Albert must be delighted with what he has seen

here. Conselus Kipruto was a brilliant winner, one of the big

highlights of the World Junior Championships in Barcelona. He is a

lovely looking run and needs to work on his hurdling technique but

he did not give this up. When it look like he should have because

Koech is so experienced. Absolutely great finish. Look at the stumble

at the end, he just cut across a little bit in front of Koech and I

am glad they didn't fall but once again, the African dominance is

maintained with the exception of Evan Jager. 11 seconds faster than

his personal best, he has not 11 seconds off his personal best and

that is absolutely brilliant. Good to see a commitment to the race and

attack from these two but in the final stages, here's a youngster,

17 years old. Mature be beyond those years. Taking a man on who

really has the credentials of 7.54, a little stumble. So pleased he did

enough. Koech is spent, the youngster almost stumbles but stays

on those feet and that was an absolutely super, super finish.

Great stuff, it really was. He did not get the record we thought but

my goodness me, we got the race in the final stages. The pace a little

bit erratic, not quite what was asked for but then again, thoughts

on going into an Olympic Games in mind and Koech must now wait and

say, has he done enough? JONATHAN EDWARDS: A great

performance there from Conselus Kipruto, but not a great

performance from Yelena Isinbayeva and I spoke to her earlier about

her disappointment. I don't know exactly what was going wrong

because the run up, I take off, the physical conditions were very good.

The weather conditions, the stadium, the crowd were amazing. And now I

am surprised about my result because all three jumps were

completely different. By an unstable yet. That is making me

worried. It makes you wonder how important it is to defend a title

in London. You have missed lots of competition since 2008. The Olympic

Games in London are very important for me. The award to fight for the

victory there for the gold medal. It is very important. You'll be

watching our new athlete, Holly Bleasdale. I know who she is but I

did not watch her jumps. I just got the results. Good luck for London,

we look forward to watching you. thank you for stopped the next, in

a week's time, it will be the opening ceremony of the Olympic

Games. You can watch that live on BBC with the programme starting on

BBC One at 7 o'clock but the ceremony itself will begin at 9pm.

Huge, huge excitement for that. Colin, the countdown is almost

finished. What are you looking forward to from a British point of

view? Do you think we can get the 8th medal tied it? I don't think we

will be far off. -- 8 mobil target. Strong and enthusiastic about

London 2012. Top tips for gold? Farah and plenty to watch elsewhere.

Next stop, London and we are not sure what they weather could throw