UK Indoor Grand Prix Athletics

The National Indoor Arena, home to the Birmingham Grand Prix. 14 world

records had been set through the years and 25 British records, a

last was more far-out over 5000 metres 12 months ago. And with

statistics like that, it is an imposing venue which will be packed

very shortly. It isn't hard to see why many believe this is the best

one-day meeting anywhere in the world. Jackson is running away from

equals the British record. Can he hold it together? Yes, he has done

it. That is a new world record. This will be a superb performance

from Mo Farah, the new British record. And that is a new world

record. Coming to the line. He has smashed the record! He is flying!

Kelly Holmes, coming into the home straight. And she wins again.

Welcome to the National Indoor Arena. This is a magnet for the

world's greatest athletes and we have seen some surely remarkable

performances through the years. No reason to think that this year will

be different. With the reputation that this has, there is a full

house expected and I am sure the message from the crowd will be more

of the same, please. I very much doubt that anybody will leave

disappointed. It will be gold for Great Britain! That is a new world

record. He has done it. The gold medal. We have another world

champion. Gold! Taking silver for Britain... Britain's 4th medal.

will not want to miss anything, the first final is at 1:30pm, Jessica

Ennis in the 60-metre hurdles and then the women's 800 metres.

Marilyn Okoro going for the qualifying time. We can pick and

some difference... At the women's 3000 metres should be good. That

features the world record holder against Helen Clitheroe. Some very

good 1500 metres. Bernard Lagat, and then Hannah England in the

women's 1500 metres. The final two events, the way and # Men's 60

metres at 4pm. And then the two miles. Good at turning to Denise

Lewis and Colin Jackson. Colin, it is your birthday. -- good afternoon.

We will focus on the women's pole vault. There have been world

records through the years. Both Russian. The next world record

holder could very possibly be British. Holly Bleasdale has made

an extraordinary start to her year. The new British record of four

metres and 87. That is the 4th highest pole vault of all time. The

last time she jumped was in the under 20 competition and she

finished third with just three metres and 60. This afternoon, she

is coming in at 4.52. She has been changed? We wanted to qualify for

the finals and see what happened on the day. My goal is to this end but

I have expectations and the new battle ahead of me, jumping at 87.

It isn't just going to be about making the final. I want to jump

over 70. That will be enough for the medal, usually. And definitely

top six. How important is it that your main rivals know this?

Obviously, there was not great last year, people did not know me. I was

normally jumping around 50 but now it I will jump 87. The others will

know what I have done because Jenifer went 88. It is obviously

that she knows how high I have jumped and it is good that they are

aware of me. Now there is a full appreciation of just how good you

are? People are focusing more? is really good, and doing so well

and people are more interested and I am in the media. That is helping

rebuild my profile. People are getting behind May and their

spurring me on. I can go to a competition and people know to

applaud. It is high pressure. Pressure is just another word. Some

people normally crumble under the pressure but like in Daegu, I did

not crumble. In France, everybody was cheering. People would think

that you could crumble but I took it and it makes me compete better.

I am looking forward to Birmingham and the London Olympics because

everybody will be cheering the British and that is why I am so

excited and hopefully that will pick me up and make me compete at

100%. Denise, Holly says the pressure is just a word. She would

just find out over the next three months about that. There is a lot

of expectation? There is. And rightly so because she has proven

herself. Jumping BD7 it is very big but we need consistency. She

announced herself to some of the leading pole vaulters and last year

in Daegu, she was very disappointed. Athletics is about experience, good

or bad. And that will make her a great athlete in the future. So

much potential. And she jumped at 4.87 on the junior event and she

has now gone on to the stiffer pole. That will take some while to get

used to? You have to get used to it. And it is the density, it is harder

to bend so she will have to get used to that but she is big and

strong and that is what she knows and she will prove an get those

heights by challenging. It is a good thing that she has invested

her time and to this. Holly jumping 4.52. In about one hour's time. And

before that, we will see Jessica Ennis in the 60 metres, she has

been enlightening form? She has, it was a great start to the season.

She is wanted just to get it out of her system and she has put together

some solid performances, particularly getting back up to

jumping at 1.91. That is a real bank for her. Her high jump, the

hurdles, we expect strong performances. And she has to face a

lot of pressure in these championships. And a number of

Russians are performing well and also the Olympic champion? Yes, it

is when she pulls in those performances from the bag, we

cannot discredit her, the Olympic champion and she recently scored

well in the championships. You cannot underestimate her. She is in

form. Anything can happen. But I still think that Istanbul and

Jessica Ennis, those performances are her strengths. More thorough in

the two miles. Here, it could be exactly the same, raising the roof.

I caught up afterwards and he said that his lungs were burning

afterwards. He needed to use more speed. But I think he will look

forward to going to that and having a good go a two miles. There is a

British record that he is capable of taking. And adding that to his

repertoire. He is a quality athlete and the crowd will be cheering him

all the way around. It will be brilliant. He was tarred with the

live event coverage, the women's 60 metres. The world champion goes in

the first one. Paul Dickenson and Brendan Foster up there and also

it. It is a sell-out crowd. It promises to be a great afternoon.

The women's 60 metres. Certainly want to look out for. Tianna

that second spot she was there in Sheffield. Bianca Knight, has been

in good form. S5 macro. -- Bianca Knight. 7.19 this year. Tianna

Madison, everybody has been talking about the former world champion.

She has come back to Supreme form this year. She only ran 7.18, her

previous best two years ago. And another new name, Lakya Brookins.

And what a great opportunity for Asha Philip. So many injuries since

she burst onto the scene but looking good. Other she was

disqualified in the semi-finals. Ezinne Okparebo. From Norway.

Turned on the outside, Katerina Cechova. The first three will go

through. And the final is at about 2:40pm. The subtext is Laura Turner

against Asha Philip. And in the middle, two or three of the world's

fastest, including Tianna Madison. Maddison, from Florida, 26 years

old. She has never really rediscover that form in the long

jump. -- rediscovered. This form she showing indoors is a bit of a

surprise. Miners and it's a pretty good start. Also Lakya Brookins.

But has not come through and she wins. The top three will go through.

That was pretty quick. She looks very calm, doesn't she? When you

water, it is all very smooth, Tianna Madison. If she continues

this form into the summer, she will have a very big year. Someone we

would not really have put into the reckoning. You try to sort out the

result and look at Asha Philip. Interesting position. Denise?

Incredible, I have been looking forward to seeing Tianna Madison.

We have heard a lot about her, she had a good start. Very, very fluid

athlete. Very composed. She comes through and all she has to do is

Crewe's right through to that line. -- cruise. I was looking at Asha

Philip. That is a great return to form. Not a bad start. Perhaps

feeling the pressure in this field. She lacks experience, she has had a

serious injury. But she has been a lovely runner. We talk about young

athletes that have come through, she was one that started with huge

potential. But that nasty injury to her knee. She tore her ligaments.

That means she is behind. But she ran very well. That is a new

I said there was a subtext there, the three that went through. Two

fastest loser spots and Phillips will cross her fingers, better than

that she will think she may well have consolidated her place away of

Laura Turner. Maddison our winner, Hopefully the Jaime for Janet

Kwakye in the second heat. Phil Jones caught up with Jenny Meadow.

Jenny Meadows our start 800 metre runner but not competing today.

It's definitely not a position I wanted to be in, I wanted to be

here in my tracksuit. I had an injury, it's persisted for a few

weeks. I have had to pull out of the meet here. I am an unhappy

spectator but looking forward to seeing the event, especially what

the British athletes have to deliver today. Does that mean you

have to forego the World Champion shfps. I have been putting that

decision off. I am still running a lot, I am not able to get into

spikes. I am really fit and strong and I can do more or less all the

training but only in trainers. Yeah, every week I have been having to

pull out of one competition, really pinning my hopes on the next week

but I took the decision now. Unfortunately, I won't be able to

do the World Championships in Istanbul. It was something I was

looking forward to because training this winter has gone incredibly

well, but unfortunately I will have to be a spectator at that as well.

Dare we say there is a bigger picture, London is what it's all

about. You want to be in the perfect shape for that, it sounds

like you are heading to that? an athlete, when you are fit and

healthy you want to compete and it's always a mental challenge to

do that. I love the indoor season. I feel I own some of the tracks,

Glasgow every year I enjoy doing that and competing here in

Birmingham, but everyone keeps saying there is a bigger picture.

If you can choose, obviously you are going to choose London. That's

what I have to remember. I am really fit and strong and all my

training does indicate that. I have not actually had to stop training

with the injury, it's just I am not able to actually wear spikes and

run at race pace in competitive races. All the signs are there,

they're all good and hopefully I will not be a spectator for the

rest of the season. One final word on what it's like being down here

as a non-competing athlete, you see see nerves and tension and some

people relaxed? Exactly, I know how everyone is feeling definitely. I

always think when you watch on television you just see the

athletes racing and you don't get to see what goes on before and you

are right, everyone's personalities are different. Some people are

chilled out and very confident. Some people are quite shaky and

look nervous. Obviously adrenalin's kicking in. But it is interesting

to see how people cope with different reactions to that. But on

the track they all come and give their best performance, no matter

how they're feeling. Yeah, it's funny watching as a spectator, but

I am sure a lot of them now are ready to compete and I am sure it's

going to be a great day of athletics. Let's hope so. Good luck

with the recovery, thank you for talking to us.

Good luck indeed. Nice coat Jenny has got on I thought! Next up

Jeanette Kwakye. She seems to get it right in Olympic form. I am

hoping she can avoid all injuries. She's had a great return to form.

This race is a tough qualification for her. She doesn't go in here as

the fastest, I am looking forward to seeing her getting through this

safely and perhaps get a season's best, which may be needed. Paul,

it's all yours. Thank you very much indeed,

Jonathan. Colin took the words out of my

mouth there, she's surrounded by classy athletes, three of them have

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 42 seconds

run faster than Jeanette this year. she has run already this year.

Barbara Pierre has dual citizenship with Haiti.

She used to run for that country until 2010 and reverted back to the

United States. One of the fastest women in Europe,

Aoeu vet Lalova. She's run a swift 7.16 this year.

And Jeanette Kwakye looking for a season's best. She wants to bring

the time down. The former world indoor medallist at 60M.

One of the best women in the world, Aleen Bailey of Jamaica. She runs

in relays, 200 M or 60M. Candyce McGrone of the United

States, useful at this distance. And Sooriyaarachchi, former Welsh

indoor champion, now based in Slovakia.

7.39 she has run this year. It's a real test for Jeanette

Kwakye, when she ran in Glasgow, she got a blistering start. A real

solo effort. You get the feeling she's going to have to repeat that

sort of performance, even to make it through to the final. The first

three will go through automatically, plus two fastest losers. Kwakye is

well. So too is Williams. Lalova gets it just on the line from

Williams in two. Jean set going to have to wait and see.

7.23 by Lalova means that Asha Philip will qualify as a fastest

loser, that's what she ran in the fast heat. So this heat slower than

heat one. Well, we will have to wait and see

whether Jeanette makes it through. What do you think of the winner,

Denise? Well, Lalova, we expect her to be bullet-like out of the blocks

but not a brilliant start by her. Williams seemed to get the measure

of her, but again Lalova relaxed in her form, eases through the field.

And takes the veer. -- victory. think Jeanette will be very, very

disappointed with that run. She didn't have the best start. She ran

very well in Glasgow, great from the first foot, but just got - let

the girls get away from her there. Here we see here out of the blocks,

really driving hard but the girls are already a metre away head of

her and possibly a little bit too much tension in Jeanette's

shoulders there. She's not as relaxed as we are used to seeing

her run. That showed in her performance.

Jeanette is looking over the big screen there and seeing that replay.

What did you think? It wasn't a great run at all, if I am honest. I

probably still suffering from last week and I knew I would come here

and have to take what I get and probably have to go back to

training and get ready for the Worlds. The overall picture for you

right now, are you pleased with the way it's heading towards that?

I am. In terms of how I am heading towards it and I knew with the

training at the moment it was always going to be touch and go

with this knee. We will see how we go. Got a few weeks of training to

get ready, should be fine. The key is to get below your best this

season, down in the mix for the Worlds? I need to get back into

good PB shape. All the best, thank you.

Well, a big disappointment from Jeanette there. We didn't expect

that I have to say. No, we didn't. But you can never gauge. Indoors is

always an interesting one for the athletes, because the focus has to

be about the the Olympics and she wants to go to Istanbul, but you

have to train hard. You can't afford to let the training and the

real solid training that you need to carry over to make sure you make

that transition into the outdoor season. So, I think she will

recover. She needs to do more speed work. She looked heavy and rusty

for me. Nonetheless, still worrying for an athlete to suddenly lose

form quite so dramatically. Like you said, to lose form dramatically.

The reality is Jean set a great athlete and you can't lose form

overnight. Sometimes things don't click. She didn't have the best

start at all. The reaction was pretty poor itself. If you look at

the women around her, Lalova who didn't have a great start was still

ahead. She was under pressure right from the get-go and it was

difficult for her to claw her way back through. If I was her I would

say no panic, no worries at this moment, you still have loads of

time to get things right for Istanbul. We know she is a quality

athlete. She has run 7.20. So, if I was Jeanette I would say OK, I had

a bad race today, everybody will have a bad performance and let's

see what happens in Istanbul. Because everybody will forget

Birmingham if she does well in Istanbul. The key is not to panic.

Jeanette, I am sure she's wintered well. She has zip in her legs, just

not today. She will be fine, I am sure. Let's hope so. Next up it's

Jessica Ennis heading for home. Nobody else can live with the pace

of Jessica Ennis. Heading for gold! She just keeps going from strength

to strength. Let's make no mistake here, Denise,

Jessica is world-class at the hurdles. She is and this is every

hurdler's nightmare, where an help help - decides to take them on. She

great shape. In terms of lists equal fourth with Danielle

Carruthers down here. Danielle will not like that at all. We know

Jessica is sa great 60M hurdler, she will start really well. She is

confident, her performances show that. She will need a good run.

Danielle Carruthers will not want to lose to Jessica Ennis.

Absolutely. It's a nightmare. I used to love love stepping in and

doing 60m to upset some of the sprinters. It's part of her

preparation. It's great she can run well and competitively against the

best when she's only a heptathle. Steve Cram is calling this one.

Thank you, Jonathan. Just to clear up the result from the women's 60,

Jeanette in her third outing of the winter 7.33 down in 7th place, so

there we have the finalists in order, not in lane order but the

Now the women's 60 hurdles final. Intriguing race between the

specialists Danielle Carruthers, who had a superb year last year,

and Jessica Ennis, who obviously wants this event to go well, not

only here but through the rest of the year, indoors and outdoors.

It's one of the key events. fast this year. Angela Whyte has

run faster in the past. Loreal Smith. She set a personal best this

year. She was disqualified in her last meeting in France last weekend.

Last weekend, Jessica Ennis had a very successful UK trials. And it

very good shot put. She was pleased with that. Great reception from the

crowd. Danielle Carruthers, what a very good year she has had. M5

macro. -- Nikkita Holder. A new personal best. Phylicia George.

Another good season last year. She made the final in Daegu. She did

not done particularly well in the final. Lucie Skrobakova. From the

Czech Republic. 30 years of age. She has a record holder. And on the

outside, Gemma Bennett. She finished second to Jessica Ennis

last weekend. Can Jessica Ennis poach this event? And watch

Carruthers. She let's out a little scream as she goes over every

hurdle. Danielle Carruthers wants to build on what was a good year

for her last year. Jessica Ennis, it is so important that she runs

well over the hurdles. Jessica start. Jessica Ennis and Danielle

Carruthers! Victory! What a performance from Jessica Ennis!

That is a big personal best. Only Tiffany Porter, the American, has

ever run faster indoors. That is the quickest in the world this year.

And that is a very good job forward. If anything, Danielle Carruthers

had a better start but only for the first three or four strides because

after that it was all about Jessica Ennis. Carruthers did come back and

she will be pleased with their time but not at having come second to

Jessica Ennis and even Jessica cannot believe this. She is stunned.

That is a brilliant event and there might be something in her head

saying, I wish I could do this event in the world indoor

championships. Denise? Jessica NS! What majestic hurdling. Her

composure. I am just amazed, we used to seeing her one good times

but she has been stuck on a 7.95 for so long. So coming out here to

set the new personal best, that is just the start that she needs for

Istanbul. Beautiful technique, keeping her rhythm going and no

pressure. You can see Danielle Carruthers. Aggressive. She is

usually screaming. She makes so much noise. In contrast, Jessica

Ennis, smooth and fluid and just a power house. Textbook curdling.

Right there. And her reaction really says it all. 7.87. That is a

new personal best for Jessica Ennis, well done. Here is a woman of the

moment. What a fantastic performance. Reaction? I am

literally in shock. I knew the training was going well and I have

been working on my start but to run that time in Birmingham is

brilliant. Danielle Carruthers on the outside, she is a specialist,

so that was going to push you. Did you feel that? It was great to come

here because they knew it was going to be a very strong field and to

run against Danielle Carruthers pushed me. Coming here, can you

ever imagine doing this? World- leading? It is incredible, to come

here and run 7.94, personal best, I would have been over the moon. It

is incredible. I am speechless! will talk later. Good luck with the

but nonetheless, still the world's quickest this year and that is a

season best for Danielle Carruthers. She would normally be happy but not

at coming second. Phylicia George just stick 10 for third place. --

Estate in. -- sneaked in. That is an exceptional time. From that very

young age, I have been saying to Jessica Ennis, come to the hurdles.

Belief in yourself. And you can see why, she is tremendous. Excellent

technically, very good under pressure and she has that flawless

technique, what happens with Jessica is when pressure comes, she

does not falter, she keeps her focus. Her leg comes right in front

and bang, or she goes. She drives towards that line. That is what

makes the difference and that shows someone who is a very natural

hurdler, no concerns about anything else, we know how fast and

explosive she is. She demonstrates that very well in the high jump.

Look at that in the coming cleanly in front, she puts herself into the

straight line. Any young hurdler should really watch that and say,

that is what I want to do. isn't fazed by having the world

silver medallist next to her? bodes well. She welcome under

pressure this year. But what we have seen from Jessica N S so far

is that she thrives on pressure. She enjoys it. And that performance

was really incredible. -- Jessica Ennis. The long jump will be a very

key event? Absolutely, she had To debut but it was inconsistent. She

has not found the form that I would like to see. That consistent long

jumping, she is erratic. That is a very important event. With those

hurdles, that will take her down to the 12.7 mark and when you talk

about him tablets at the beginning, she has found a massive cushion. --

heptathlete. Next up, one of the world's greatest sprinters. Not

quite the medal Cabinet to match. Not used to being seen indoors. It

is Asafa Powell. Or what made you decide to compete? If it was up to

me, I would not be here. My coach, my manager makes the decisions.

thought at the end of a campaign would benefit you in the long term

heading towards London? Well, yes. It is something new. -- and into a

campaign. If something isn't wrong, do not fix it. We are trying to get

the ball rolling early. Get everything going. Trying to be

consistent. Trying to get the start perfect and get everything right.

Last year and was having a great season. I was running very well. I

was very confident. But then I got injured. But I was still training

in the background. But running indoors, this is my second time in

spikes. Since last September. It should be fun. We talk about the

Jim Aiken clean sweep on the final line. How realistic is that? Most

of the fastest men in the world, yes. And we are running very fast.

The men are very confident. Hopefully we can have some breaks

in the finals, if not one or two in the final. That would mean a lot

for the British. The as ever, fairly relaxed, Asafa Powell. You

get the feeling that if he isn't on top form in the summer, he might

not get to represent. Asafa Powell will want to come out and a very

good indoor season. He has had a good start already. The first three

will go through to the final just after 4 o'clock. This is very

competitive. The subtext of the put a selection, that comes into play.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. Watch out for that. Liu Xiang. And the former

world champion and the bronze medallist, Kim Collins. 35 years of

age. Great to see him in the UK. And he helped his team to that's a

prize relay medal last year in Daegu. Asafa Powell, he missed out

through injury. He has run one indoor race in New York. He ran a

personal best and has already run outdoors in a relay event in

Jamaica. G e10 macro. -- Trell Kimmons. Daniel Bailey. And we talk

about that St Kitts and Nevis relay team, led by Kim Collins. This man.

He was on the third leg. And this is Greg Cackett from Belgrade

Harriers. That was a big race from him. Nobody has run under 10

seconds for 100 metres more than this man. The first 60-metre race

for Asafa Powell. Just the heat. He wants to make sure that he

qualifies in the top three. Collins is next to him. Then Trell Kimmons.

Absolutely silent at the indoor He has been in reasonable form this

year. We saw him in Glasgow, finishing third in the

international match. That was a below one 10th of the second is

is off. So, Christian Blum will have to sit and watch this one.

Asafa Powell there were looks stressed. -- never looks. Never any

start from Asafa Powell. Collins has done well but here comes Asafa

Powell storming through to qualify. Asafa Powell, Kim Collins and Trell

Kimmons. Let's look at the clock. If you suggested it is, the initial

time that came up was 7.85 and that was rounded up. That would

represent a personal best if it was confirmed. When the results come up.

We were just wait for confirmation. That was a quick run from Asafa

Powell and that would put him at the top of the world list. We saw

that whatever the time will be, it'll be a personal best. Not the

best start from Asafa Powell, we usually see him being more

explosive out of the blocks but he is very beautifully fluid. So early

in the season and he is looking like a very good contender for a

medal at the Olympic Games later this year. He does not really love

indoors. Which I really think is quite unusual because he has a

powerful start but he is looking good and everybody will be waiting

to see what the official time will competition. JJ Jegede. That's

impressive. That's exactly what he produced last week in Sheffield.

Seven metres 96. That appears to be a similar type of distance. And

should well give him the lead. Plenty of room to give away on the

board. The leading mark at the moment 7.77.

This jump from Jegede should challenge it. He takes the lead.

There is Holly Bleasdale, preparing to enter the women's pole vault

competition. She will open at 4.52. Still yet to enter the competition.

So, Holly Bleasdale very much the athlete of the moment in the

women's pole vault, but Lucie Bryan, perhaps a name for the future. Got

a lifetime best of 4.11. Sensational clearance from this 16-

year-old. She will take huge confidence from that, a lifetime

best, Lucy Bryan, definitely a name for the future.

That's a bit of a breakthrough, not just in terms of height, but also

against this quality of opposition. Back to the men's long jump.

Godfrey Mokoena. Seven metres 86 by the UK champion JJ Jegede, but

Mokoena with that premen douse height character -- tre men --

tremendous height. Plenty to spare on the board for the South African

record holder. He really is a magnificent sight

when he is in full flow. Again he will be out towards the 8m mark

with his effort. Should be well a little slower at 6.50 but a a

personal best. A price that's a personal best for Powell tpwu

equals the fastest in the world this year and Collins in second and

Kimmons, the three qualifiers. JJ Jegede psyching himself up for

this round two effort. Sound his round one mark bettered by Godfrey

Mokoena. How will this young athlete respond to the gauntlet

that's been thrown down by the South African? 26 years old now.

Has a full winter of training behind him for the first time ever.

He's gone beyond the eight metre mark! Will we get the white flag?

He likes that. He has entered brand new territory indoors, beyond eight

metres for the first time. We will await confirmation, and if it is

confirmed then that will be the leading mark for him. Still a fair

amount to spare on the board. Even though he is the UK champion, he's

-- his place not yet confirmed for the world indoors in Turkey,

because the standard is a challenging 8.15. But recognition

of his personal best, 8.04. Fantastic jump. Getting ready now

for the next heat of the men's 60m and that jump by JJ Jegede, fifth

longest ever by a British athlete look now at Josh Swaray. Fifth at

the UK Indoors 60 last weekend. Harry AA, former world youth and

world junior champion at 100 metres, still making his way in the senior

ranks, but looking pretty good so far this year. The first of three

very good Jamaicans, Michael Frater, silver medallist in 2005. Then

Lerone Clarke. He's won both his outings this year, his best so far

6.50. Top of the world rankings. The third Jamaican, Nesta Carter,

hasn't run indoors this year. Best Briton in this field, Andrew

Robertson, second in the UK indoor championships last week. Looking

better and better throughout 2012. Angel David Rodriguez of Spain.

6.64 he has run this year. And familiar Dutchman next, Brian

Mariano. Certainly some stiff opposition for the three Britons in

this race. Andrew Robertson, next to Carter in lane six, has actually

beaten the IAAF effort to go to his way to the final as one of the

top three. Good start there by Frater. Chased

by Clarke. Look at this. Wow, that was way, way ahead of anybody else.

Clarke and Carter coming through together. 6 6.50. That equals the

fastest time in the world this year. Those two Jamaicans absolutely

flying. Very impressive indeed. Looks very

relaxed about it, does Nesta Carter. That was impressive, Colin.

certainly was, Paul. Very, very impressive sprinting by Nesta

Carter and also Clarke. Clarke came into this competition as the

fastest man in the world, but Carter dealt with him very

comfortably and of course Asafa Powell will be waiting and watching

this to see who his major rival will be in that final, but it looks

very much it could be a Jamaican clean sweep. One, two, three.

Carter took that very comfortably indeed. From the blocks, it was a

pretty even start all round but Carter seems very controlled, very

composed, doesn't seem like he is worried at all in any shape or form.

Clarke just gave him a little bit of a glance as they cross the line,

which is always funny to see. Let's look at Robertson. He is the

fastest Brit in the line-up. He worked very well, very hard. He

knows he is under pressure because he wants to do this actual time to

get him through to Istanbul. He just misses out on the time. 6 6.69,

will be a little bit disappointed with that.

I am here with Nesta Carter, 6.51. It shows you the strength and depth

in Jamaican sprinting right now. We saw what Powell just done. We have

Bolt and Blake. Tell me what it's like to be part of that team.

really good to be part of the top sprinters in Jamaica, competing

with them and training along with them. It's a really good to be

among them. And this kind of performance from you shows you

shouldn't be the forgotten man of Jamaican sprinting. Yeah, I just

come out here to try and get to the finals and then I take it from

there. See what you can do there. We wish you well, thank you for

talking to us. Asafa Powell did the whole am I bothered kind of thing

before and he clearly was, Colin. It's lovely to see the top

sprinters in the world competing here. It's been a long time since

the best world sprinters out there, so it's great that Poulaphouca has

joined -- Asafa Powell joined us but he looked very controlled and

composed. He didn't get the explosive start we could expect.

Once he gets into that running, when he puts in that big stride he

eases away from the field very comfortably indeed. He will

probably look at that and think I could go very close... That's right.

He didn't get out fast as you say, we know he can start. The final,

maybe something quite special. There's three Jamaicans more to

come into this final line-up and he trains with Nesta Carter so he

knows what he can deal with. So it's going to be an interesting

final but it's good to see. really do struggle with his

attitude. I think as a sprinter you need to have a little bit more

about you and I just think he needs to be a bit more honest.

definitely agree with you. He is going to need to be on his way to

beat these guys. And Clarke was the man we were talking about going

into this but Carter, lovely running action, very strong. I just

think that final promises to be pretty special. Yes, we will see

that Jamaican record being broken again, I do believe. We vice-

president even got the best two here and they're going to run away

with this. That's what is quite astounding, the strength of

Jamaican sprinting at the moment. Absolutely. They have to run so

hard in their trials to make the Olympic team itself because they'll

know virtually they're guaranteed a gold medal in a relay if they do

not drop that baton, of course you want to be in that team itself.

It's going to be very competitive and I am looking forward to the

summer. They're all running very well indeed. It's going to be

exceptional. Don't forget the Americans. You mentioned the summer,

we can mark your card on what's coming up. We also have the London

marathon in April and the great Manchester run in May. And the

Great North Run. Obviously in the summer the domestic meetings,

tickets are available. We have Diamond League coverage and the

Olympic Games. But still to come the two miles.

There's confirmation of the result. Carter's time has been dropped by

100th of a second. Nevertheless, one of the fastest in the world

this year and new lifetime best. Jamaica occupying the first three

places. Robertson in fourth, unfortunately he won't make it

through to the final. Nevertheless, a good run and Great Britain

finishing in 7th and 8th place. That's all leaving us with a mouth-

watering final in prospect. Powell tops the list with a personal best.

Carter 100th behind and Clarke just behind. The three Jamaicans on top

of what looks like a top level, top quality 60m final after 4.00.

The bar is set at four metres 52 in attempts to come at this height.

That means that next on the runway will be Holly Bleasdale. Rogowska

just getting her rhythm and timing, just a third kper to say this --

competition this year. Her and Holly Bleasdale have already been

head to head at another meeting. first time this afternoon, Holly

Bleasdale, who cleared 4.87 in Lyon. And the UK Indoor Championships

last weekend, as well. Her first attempt of the afternoon. And it so

much room to spare over the top of the bar. But just didn't get it

right. But still, the distance she had over the top suggests there is

plenty more to come. Absolutely. A study of a very complex event

indeed. Polly Bleasdale, two more attempts. There is her coach. She

has improved 30 centimetres every year since 2009. If she does that

again this year, she could break the world record. Watching Polly

Bleasdale, one of the big stars of this meeting this afternoon. The

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 42 seconds

Masna. Elisa Cusma She won a medal in the indoor championships of 2009.

Marilyn Okoro, last week, in Sheffield, went really hard and

faded rather badly. She is on her own of. She will hope that the key

Griffiths can lead it out at a pace she can follow. -- Vicky Griffiths.

She will try to win the race but it will be tough with Morgan Uceny in

it. She was very unlucky last year but tripped over. She's already had

a couple of good races. And there is Tara Bird, second at UK

championships last week. They have asked for a pretty swift 58 seconds

to run a race. She likes to go out hard. Maybe the tactics today might

be wiser to sit off the pace a little bit. Griffiths, the early

leader. Marilyn Okoro in 6th place at the moment. I would suggest

something around 59 seconds would suit her better. Marilyn Okoro will

be happy the pacemaker is drifting them along at a good pace. Morgan

Uceny She was the favoured last year but fell over in the race and

sadly, not in a position to compete. Marilyn Okoro, moving up alongside

Morgan Uceny. It will be interesting to see them come

through the 400-metre point. The rest of the field have not followed

that. Well over 64 Marilyn Okoro. That will be interesting to see if

she can work off this, because this is much more sensible, rather than

running 56, 54. And now Marilyn Okoro is in a good place, gliding

alongside Morgan Uceny. Can she attack from there? Marilyn Okoro in

second place. The experienced athlete putting yourself into a

good place, Cusma. Marilyn Okoro has to hang on and get a time I did

this. Morgan Uceny, she is looking dangerous. And if so is Angelika

Cichocka. She is hanging on are looking for the tie, Marilyn Okoro.

Angelika Cichocka, she is going to take this one on the line. Marilyn

Okoro I would suggest will get at 2.35 qualifying time. She was not

that far behind. A surprise victory there. She is a very, very good

Polish athlete. She ran a very good race last week. It was that

strength which brought it through to the finish there. Uceny, a

disappointing. I thought she would have more to offer. I thought

Marilyn Okoro was being a run out there. An official time of. Godot

sorry, and an official time of two minutes and two seconds. This

leaves something to think about. Here they come down the back

straight. The Italian strikes out. At this point, Uceny looks like she

has got the race at one of. But Cichocka comes through. It's a

great finish. Marilyn Okoro rallied in the last 50 metres. 2.06. Well,

hopefully, the selectors will take note of that and that could give

her a chance to run in the world indoor championships in a couple of

weeks' time. That's the qualifying time for the World Championships

taken care of. As for the race itself, it would give you food for

thought, as well? Yes, I want to race again. That's the time taken

care of. I've had two runs on my own. I felt fresh there. You know,

these girls had a good race the other week, all of them. It's good

to be in the next. I got myself into a horrible position where I

wanted to strike. But, no, that was encouraging. What will you do from

here until his stumble in March? I'm in Birmingham up tomorrow. --

East and ball. I will be doing some speed work. If I can, I will get

another race. We look feared -- forward to seeing the me there. --

seen you there. Thank you very much. The a more even paced race from

Marilyn. Sometimes she goes out quite hard. She did last week. 60

and 62, much better from Marilyn. She has been given third place.

That's not right. We will Clare all of that up. The winner was Poland.

Second attempt at four metres 52 for Polly Bleasdale. How can she

respond here? Oh! That was not as close as the first attempt. She

finds herself under a spot of pressure. She has been magnificent

all indoor season all long. An opening height of four metres, 52.

Next, the men's 60-metre hurdles. Unfortunately, no Andy Turner but

thanks for joining us her. Tamesue of fitness situation. I'm getting

better. I had an injection and three weeks of rehab us on getting

back to strength. Hopefully I will be back training this week. It's

going OK. This should be, Liu Xiang in the final. You yes, it's the

World Championships. I think there will be some other guys in the mix

as well. It's going to be an interesting final. We will speak to

you shortly also let's go to the event. Liu Xiang I think is in

first. This is what lies in wait for the athletes in our next event.

The 60-metre hurdles. Heavily featured in that event. A man, a

former world record holder. An Olympic champion, too. There he is,

Liu Xiang. From the People's Republic of China. Former world

indoor champion as well, so he is pretty useful. She is the line-up.

-- here is the line-up. In fact, the Chinese combat the does not

start in it two. Cuban a number two, the man who goes in the next a team.

Orlando Ortega And then comes Andrew Pozzi Dayron Robles. 9th on

the British all-time list. The UK indoor champion, Andrew Pozzi.

Craddock, currently 5th in the world. 7.53 seconds, and having a

good season, already. And then Liu Xiang, silver-medallist last year.

It was one of the most talked-about finals on the track. His arch rival

is up Dayron Robles and he was disqualified for impeding Liu Xiang.

Potter, another American. Ranked 8th in the world this year. Chris

Baillie, of form at Commonwealth silver-medallist, finished 6th in

Sheffield last weekend. And finally, from would Ford Greene in Essex,

Richard Alleyne. Became a British citizen back in 2003. A regular

fixture. At a British track and field meetings. He finished just

ahead of Chris Baillie last weekend in 5th place but all eyes are on

Liu Xiang. One of the greatest in history. In doors? He has become

world indoor champion back in at with Dayron Robles by the time they

Potter is making headway but Liu Xiang stroll through, 7.49,

equalling the fastest time in the world in 2012. That was very easy

by Liu Xiang. Certainly coming back to his best. He looked very

of the fact it is his first race, and what a race it was. Good start

by the man in lane five pulled up alongside him, on the inside, Kevin

Craddock from the USA was trying to stay with him. Watch when he comes

off number four, he begins to stretch away. Good sprinting

between the hurdles. Porter came through very quickly for the USA.

And Andrew Pozzi could have qualified in third place. A good

run of. We are having a look at Andrew Pozzi are now. This was a

great run. A lot of pressure with a lot of greater people around him,

but he worked his way through the field very well indeed. A personal

best for the season, 7.62, just getting here it is a great

performance by him and I'm sure he will be into the final and he will

be very happy indeed. Let's have a look at the full field. A good

explosion out of the blocks but all of the athletes. If you think about

it, the man on his left and side, Craddock from the USA, dealt with

Dayron Robles in a Dusseldorf but look how far Liu Xiang is in front

of him. Equalling his lifetime best, Andrew Pozzi. More importantly, he

is automatically through to the final. Liu Xiang, 7.49, season's

best. The fastest in the world this year. Porter from the USA, second

automatic qualifying. The other Britons in 6th and 7th place.

Another turn alongside us now. Jasmin. We were just discussing

what to expect from Liu Xiang. It was a bit special. His first race,

for someone to come out and run a time which could win a medal,

indoors, in his first race of the season, it's the normal. He is

going to run now indoors for the you normally expect athletes at you

raised is to get into their stride. He looked just phenomenal. Normally

it takes races to find your rhythm. But he just seems to come out first

race and be able to pour out a world-class time every time a. I've

no idea how he does it but is massively talented. He isn't in the

best indoor form so far, Dayron Robles. I'm not too sure. I'm not

sure what is capable of at the moment. He is a quality athletes.

At any point, he will challenge Liu Xiang. He is in the next race.

Controversially disqualified last year in the world championships

record holder. Great to see you here in Britain, as wuls, -- as

always, in this big Olympic year what benefits do you get personally

out of an indoor season? TRANSLATION:

Indoors is very important to me because it's part of my preparation

for outdoors. It improves the first part of my race, and also what ever

mechanical problems I have I can fix it when I am running indoors.

It's very important I compete well during the indoor season. What's it

like to come face-to-face with Liu Xiang, bearing in mind what

happened to you and him in Daegu and the disqualification that came

your way. The Olympic champion of Cuba has been disqualified for a

rule which disallows any athlete what has jostled or or obstructed

another athlete... What's it like going to head-to-head again?

TRANSLATION: I love the guy, he is a good friend

and it gets me more focused when Liu Xiang is in it because I have

to run my best race to beat him. I enjoy competing against my rivals,

it gives me an idea of where they are with their training. It gives

me an idea of where I am. It's something I look forward to every

year to compete against the best in the world. First to the pole vault,

Holly Bleasdale, third and final now.

Oh, yes! Was it ever in doubt? She allows herself a smile of

relief. And now perhaps can focus on getting into the realm of four

metres 70. Everybody in the crowd breathed a massive sigh of relief

there, I think you are right, more importantly, it's a good rehearsal

for championship vaulting. Third and final attempt always produces

its own kind of pressure. That was a good effort by the young

Blackburn athlete. Just in consultation with her coach. It's

just her and Pyrek left in the competition.

So, to the second heat of the 60m hurdles. Dayron Robles we heard

from, looking to qualify safely to join Liu Xiang. Mazac of the

Czech Republic. 21 years of age. Next to him Julian Adeniran. He had

a good season last year. Emanuel Abate from Italy. He is

right up there in world terms. Not quite as fast as this man,

Dayron Robles. Surely 7.55 will be something he wants to improve on.

He has seen Liu Xiang, he knows the gauntlet has been thrown down a

little, although getting through is the main issue here. Merritt has

been in good form. He is the fastest in the field here this year.

Dexter Faulk from the United States. Second in the match at Glasgow.

And Lawrence Clarke, a huge disappoint the for him, he had

geared himself up for a race against Pozzi last week in the

trials but was disqualified for a false start. He needs to redeem

himself here. And then Balazs Baji of Hungary.

So the second heat. Concentration order of the game here for Robles.

I am sure he saw what Liu Xiang did. He might want to make a mark

himself here as well. He was beaten Xiang at all. Not so good out of

the blocks for Dayron Robles. He knows that wasn't the best - or

type of performance he needs to produce if he is going to do well

when we get to the World Indoors and later this afternoon, because

he will be a long way behind Liu Xiang on the basis of that.

Colin, what do you reckon? Interesting that, he is looking

around and he looks really confused with his performance. He is looking

at the big screen to see exactly how he went. I think he will be

disappointed the fact he couldn't get out as fast as Merritt. Once he

got into his fluent running I don't think he needs to concern himself.

Be strong, be confident. He is powerful, but this is where he gets

his real distance from most of the athletes. He has an incredible

trail leg. Comes through right under his body very quickly indeed

and puts him into a good running position and that's what all

hurdlers try to achieve. He is cruising into the line. Wide shot.

As you can see, very slow off the blocks. Didn't seem to react. I

don't know if he wasn't thinking he needs to having urgency, but he

soon had to pull himself together and qualified well indeed. Good

head-to-head in that final. We look pass at four metres 62, having seen

Rogowska go through. Two athletes remain in the competition. Rogowska

cleared that comfortably. Rogowska has the advantage. Bleasdale has

elected to pass at that height. The bar will be raised to 4.70.

Certainly Rogowska is one of the athletes she will be facing in the

World Indoor Championships and of Olympics, of course and one of the

athletes that could well figure on the medal rostrum. Consistently one

of the best in the world this year. In recent years, also. A victory

over this athlete would be phenomenonal. The clock counting

down, Rogowska, an athlete of her experience is aware of that.

Approaching the ten second mark. Making her first attempt at 4.70.

Gave it a fair old rattle, it thought about staying up,

eventually came down. Two attempts at 4.70 remain for Rogowska.

Just her third competition of the year, so that 4.62 represents a

season best. Bleasdale will be next second heat of the hurdles:

It was a personal best for Clarke. We have our eye on Holly Bleasdale,

she is about to jump. We will talk hurdles for the moment. Both of the

star names through. Advantage Lewes I would say -- Liu Xiang I would

say. He is looking the sharper of the two. I am surprised by Robles,

he said he felt in good shape. Liu Xiang, his start was on point.

Technically you can't fault the guy. Great technique. He makes that look

easy. As we said, Colin, to come the first race out and run like

that even more impressive. He is a quality athlete. He's been the

Olympic champion. We can only expect him to come out and be

really explosive. When you have a flawless technique, you expect it.

Holly Bleasdale is about to jump, let's go straight to the pole vault.

Holly Bleasdale elected to pass at 4.62. This is her first time effort

at 4.70. And yes, she goes clear! Holly

Bleasdale takes the lead in this competition. After that slight case

of nerves at her opening height of 4.52, no mistake. She goes into the

lead with a first-time clearance of 4.70. The same height she cleared

to take the indoor title last week at Sheffield and repeats it again.

She said her ambition was to get to 4.70 on a consistent basis. It's

job done. Now she's looking to go higher. After looking a bit shaky,

all going well for Holly now. Back to hurdles. Let's talk Dayron

Robles. He slept on the blocks, came through, did enough. But you

wonder whether he is focused on this indoor season. Yeah, he

competed until late last year. I was surprised to see him run

indoors at all. His start was slug slugish. He comes through the field.

Liu Xiang is looking a lot better. There's still more in the tank from

Robles. I don't think he is on a par with Liu Xiang at this time.

wonder if he is thinking Olympics, I want to defend my title. I will

go through the motions, maybe some pressure from the cubeian

federation to compete indoors but his heart is not in it. Remember he

has had injury problems as well and you have to really focus on what's

right for to you prepare for your major event in your mind. As you

say, he wants to defend his Olympic title. He will become the third

hurdler ever to defend it if that happens to him. It's about focus,

control. He is here to be competitive. Every champion once

they get on the line wants to produce incredible performances and

he will not want to lose to Liu Xiang today. We look forward to

that race. In terms of your season, obviously you know coming back from

injury, how are you looking to build up to 2012? I am going to try

to do much the same as last year. We are not going to change things

up because of Olympic year. Things have been on an upward spiral the

last few years. I am trying to replicate last year. For me it's

about staying injury-free, getting as much training as possible and if

tkoeu that I am confident I can run another personal best and get in

with a shout at the medals. Good luck. The men's 800 up on track

Learmonth has had a great winter season already. And will be looking

forward to his opportunity here, just 19 years of age. Andrew has

had a troubled winter so far this year, certainly set Istanbul as a

target. Will need to run well here if toes give the selectors a nudge.

Lewandowski, it's been his team- mate who's been running superbly

well. Lalang, the Commonwealth champion. And then this man, Aman,

champion, won in Glasgow. He looks a different athlete this winter.

He's done more endurance work this year and it is showing so far. A

big test for him here. And Rapatz huge opportunity. He has already

been picked for Istanbul. He wants to show what he can do against some

big names here. He has a blistering pace, Joe Thomas. He hasn't got any

faster times to his name but I think he's capable of going quickly

this year. Coming up behind him, Lewandowski. Thomas is right

alongside Boaz Lalang. This is a real step up in class for Joe

Thomas. He really has a chance today to take some scalps to propel

him towards the World Indoor Championships. He has looked good

all winter. An improved athlete. He is letting the gaps open, which she

doesn't need to do at this point. You can't always allow a fast

finish. He is far too far adrift, really. These are good guys at the

front. Aman, he has only had one big race this year so far. Thomas

has got to try to close this gap. Aman, he goes alongside him. The

18th the old Ethiopian is doing well for the by Joe Thomas running

strongly down the back straight. These front three are having their

own a private race. Lewandowski, response again, finds something

extra. It's going to be very close on the line. Joe Thomas takes 4th

place, a new personal best for him. 1.4 5.41, he will be pleased with

that. His first big victory of the year. Mohamed Aman, from Ethiopia,

still only 18. Andrew Osagie, fighting for this. He was trying to

hold off all comers on this last lap, and almost did. They were

going head to head on the back fantastically well this summer, I'm

sure. Aman, into the finishing straight, battling it out with the

European champion. He has done it again. Joe Thomas, there, in 4th

place, setting a personal best, I'm a pretty short. I think he will be

delighted with that step up in class. A great performance by the

young Ethiopian. The bar has been raised to four metres and 78 in the

women's pole vault. Two athletes Again, Bleasdale will have the

opportunity to take the advantage season's best at her second attempt,

four metres and 70. She is not short of that sort of form here. It

is all about Holly Bleasdale for that it she can get it on the first

attempt, surely she will take this competition by the scruff of the

neck. The coaches watching intently, always involved, always animated.

The good news, we have seen the result of that 800 metres, a new

national record. Joe Thomas, further down, a new personal best,

5th on the UK all-time list, and a very promising run as well from

Andrew Osagie. His first race back. It could be enough for them to

represent Great Britain at the World Indoor Championships. Firth

on the UK all-time list after that. A different experience for you

today. Yes, I have been used to being near the front. I a personal

best every race so far. It was a shock to the system. It's part of

experience. Yes, I love a good race. That felt more like a time trial

than anything. Another personal best. The consistency is there.

Keep it going. All the best for the World Championships. Thank you.

A nice run their from Joe Thomas and I think it was very difficult

for him to pace that race, to go with the guys in front would have

been too far, so I thought was very mature. You're right. Had he risked

and gone out with the big runners in a race, I think he would have

struggled. It's very hard in the 800 metres when you're in no-man's-

land, and I think he really ran a great race. I just like his style.

If he is confident and another personal best. And he goes to the

World Indoor Championships. Yes, a great way to go to Istanbul. He

knows what is up against, clearly. He was not overawed by the

competition so, for me, it was a good performance and I think he

will build on this. Women's pole vault coming down to the final

stages now. Holly Bleasdale with her next attempt. Four metres and

78. We have already seen Rogowska, her first failure. No, not to be.

the women's long jump. We will catch up with a shortly but next

it's the women's 60-metre final. I think it looks amazing is mother-

son. She is amazing all year. -- Madison. She looks majestic it

today. She is so compact and powerful. 60 metres suits a very

well indeed. Don't be fooled, she has a great 100-metre personal best

as well for the she has come on leaps and bounds this year. As a

long jumper, you would expect that. Yes. I thought you would like that

one! All the top sprinters will fear her over 60 metres. Our only

laughed because that your birthday, by the way. Who is her main

challenger? You have got to look at the Jamaicans. I just feel that

women's sprinting at the moment is red hot, and so hard to call for

that you have got to make sure, in this race, it's all about the start.

It's got to be electric. Mother-son is quite something. The final of

for some time adjusting their jump champion should, of course.

pick up and the way she finishes off the sprint. She asked for some

of medical help. The only Briton to have qualified. Asha Philip. Let's

go back to the pole vault for at the moment. Now the second attempt.

No. Completely bailed out on that one. Holly Bleasdale. She has just

seen Rogowska run-throughs. Bleasdale, attempting a second best

clearance ever. 4.71 she jumped in December. 4.87 in a Lyon in its

January. Second attempt. Oh! And again, solid attempt. One attempt

remains for the two remaining for the fastest woman, perhaps not

just in Birmingham but the world Madison in lane four as favourite.

Lakya Brookins, a lifetime best. Very useful if she could keep that.

Asha Philip, a lifetime best in the heats. She has now moved up to 9th

on the British all-time list, so a very good prospect indeed. Gloria

Asumnu, I am worried about her. She was asking for medical help at the

start of the race but she is on the start line. 7.14 is her lifetime

best. Maddison, diminutive, slim, slight, but a good starter and a

great finisher, too. 7.02, her lifetime best. Fastest in the world

this year. Ivet Lalova, from Bulgaria, a good start of. If she

can repeat the start she had in a semi-final, who knows? Tameka

Williams, the 60 metres record holder as well as other distances,

as well. One of the best Europeans is Ezinne Okparebo, should get

close to a season best, 7.21. And finally, Aleen Bailey. The flags

showing she is coming from the place where all the good sprinters

come from. Jamaica. We get a good idea, whoever wins this, could be

Tianna Madison And perhaps Williams in lane six. And also for Great

Britain, Asha Philip. There she is Tianna Madison, absolutely flying.

An absolutely wonderful 7.07, she stops the clock at, a very fast

time indeed. A really classy athlete. Looks pretty cool, calm

and collected about it. What a sprinter. Not quite as fast as Sue

ran earlier this year but, nevertheless, a world-class time

there. Denise, a good run, wasn't it? Fantastic, really compose to. A

very strange hand position at the start, but it didn't affect her, at

all, and once she moves through this field, cool, calm, collected,

technique intact, beautiful running from a virtually unknown sprinter.

Let's have a look at his overhead shot. Her hand, is supposed to be

behind the line but the officials done call that. A lovely runner,

here. But didn't call that. It's all about running faster times but

in Istanbul, will she be able to deliver and get a medal around her

neck? Driving really hard. But still, no tension in that face.

Pumping hard. Very good run by here. Very good run by Madison. Asha

Philip, another lifetime best performance, 7.19, certainly one of

the fastest times by a British her third and final attempt with

the bar set at 4.7 -- 4.78. Getting encouraged by the crowd.

And no. Didn't fully commit. But Holly Bleasdale takes first place

and some pretty notable scalps in this competition. Best clearance of

4.70. But when you have got the names like Rogowska and Pyrek

finishing beneath tu reinforces and emphasises the rich vein of form

Holly Bleasdale is in and will go to Turkey full of confidence.

Certainly some interesting stats to show you in this final of the

Philip but let's hear from the winner.

Thank you very much, another tremendous performance in what's

been a wonderful start to the season for you. Thank you. You know,

today was just for - the the -- race was dedicated to girls in the

world who feel they've made mistakes, it's a testament you can

take your life back and turn it around, don't cheat yourself and

cut corners and you can do it. have you done wrong that you are

putting right? You know, by cutting corners I mean if you have three

runs, don't do two and a half. are You are going to target the

World Championships. Have to do the nationals first. You are a self-

confessed nerd on your website, what do you study. Micro biology.

You are a fast running nerd you are telling us. And jumper. Thank you

very much. It's been a great afternoon so far but still plenty

to come. Bernard Lagat in the 1500. In the women's 1500 it's Hannah

England. Then that big head-to-head Dayron Robles against Liu Xiang in

the hurdles, who will come out on top?

And then Asafa Powell looked in fantastic shape in his heat, can he

go 6.50 in the final? And Mo Farah rounds it all off in the two miles.

Obviously a story there with Tianna Madison, she was the world champion

2005 and here she is in 2012 sprinting and doing it to quite

great effect. Absolutely. Imagine if she would go back to long

jumping. Fabulous performance by her and indeed the first four girls

running fantastically well. More to come from her, but like I said when

I was talking about the race itself, it's all good about running fast

times, you have got to repeat it. You have to be able to do it at

championships and she will face some seasoned athletes. And a super

run from Asha Philip. Great to see her return. Fourth in the British

all-time list. We like the fact that women's sprinting, there's a

real resurgence. I am looking forward to the outdoor trials and

who makes the team and individual spot. Exciting, watch this space.

had to run this afternoon to decide who would join Nigel. Richard Buck

in the red vest, because he was on the outside went out with real

intent through the first 200 m, knew that he had to win and also

get a fast time and Williams in his first 400 of the year got very

close to him down the back strait. The race was really between the two

of them. Buck trying to hold off Conrad Williams. It looked like

Williams might have that extra but Buck kicked away and watch the

clock, it was a superb 45.89, the sixst fastest in -- 6th fastest in

the world. No wonder he was pleased. Great run from Richard Buck and

good news that Conrad Williams with a personal best in second. Nigel

will have been watching that, I am Lennon Ford, will have been

watching that earlier race and wondering whether he is in the

right race. The outside lane is such a big advantage. Rabah Yousif

trains in the north-east still. Had a cracking year last year.

The world indoor champion in 2010, Chris Brown. Beaten in the

international match up in Glasgow. Didn't look in such good form.

Maybe three or four weeks of training has helped. Nery Brenes

disqualified in his last race. Big meet in Germany last week. He was

disqualified because of a lane infringement. And Nigel Levine. He

won those trials, the European under 23 champion from last summer.

He will have noted the performance indoors is such that the first 200

very crucial. The tactics, if you like, of trying to get out and

control the race without down by Brenes. Brown with work to

do here to get on on terms Yousif has started slowly. Lennon Ford has

attacked through the first 250. It's going to be close to see who

breaks for the inside. It's going to be Brenes with Le vine in a good

position. It's Brenes leading. Levine in second. Trying to hang on.

Brenes stretching it out. Looking very good. Levine not able to go

with it. It's going to be a one- horse race. Brenes falls, steps on

the inside and Levine takes the win! Well, shock win because it

didn't look as though that was on the cards. But what about the time?

Two great performances from British 400 metre runners. It looked like

he was tiring. It was the fact he stepped on the inside made him fall.

But what a good performance from this young man here. Two British

men right up into the world's top five or six over 400 metres indoors.

And Brenes, well, there is a smile there. He was going so well. Surely

he would have got a super - let's see what happens here, Paul.

Incredible. Everybody was looking to see who was going to win it and

everybody thought Brenes was but Levine - he had a look around but

there was nobody coming. Chris Brown, former world indoor champion,

was the nearest. What a great day it's been for indoor British 400

metre running. Brenes, well, that is remarkable. I have never seen

that before. He just stepped on the advertising boarding at the side of

the track, which was tucked well inside the line there. Levine

produces one of the fastest times in the world. He looks in very good

shape indeed to go to Turkey. two times from the earlier national

race, and from that race put them 5th and 7th in the world this year.

Really encouraging performances from those two. Indeed backed up by

Conrad Williams who ran justious 46. Brenes must be wondering what's

going on, disqualified last week and then tripping up there. There

continuing his rich vein of form. Equalling his lifetime best but

still short of the extremely challenging qualification of 8.15

that is set for the world indoors in Istanbul. So tough, in fact,

that only four men have have cleared 8.15 or better so far this

indoor season. Nigel is with me, after a

tremendous performance in the 400. After what Richard Buck did earlier,

did that inspire to you do a similar performance? No, not really.

I was concentrating on my own race, trying to focus about winning and

taking it through to the Worlds. Hopefully from there. As you came

through it was 45.72. You must be thrilled with the way things are

heading? Yeah, thrilled to run a PB on an indoor track. Hopefully

outdoors will be much better and get the Olympic qualifying time.

Have you ever been in a race where that has happened before, the guy

in front just buckled and fell? I never seen someone fall in front

of me like that ever before. Luckily, I wasn't that close behind

him to get tripped, so I had to run around him. Sorry that he fell, but

it's racing. Indeed. It was a fine performance. Keep it going to the

Worlds, well done. Thank you very much. I would like to to thank

everyone, team Christie, mum, dad, thank you.

That winning time, a new personal best down to 45.71 which puts him

fourth in the world this year. Good performance from him.

You have to say that Brenes looked as though he would have been set

for something quick there. But certainly good form from the

British 400m men. That did make us giggle up here,

thankfully he wasn't too close behind. Very good run from Nigel.

It was a very good run. Very strong run. To elevate himself there at

the world list is a really exceptional performance by him. He

kept a cool head. It was very competitive. It's a difficult race

to run the 400 m indoors, you are running at pace and have a lot of

lane changes. It's difficult to have good control. It's never

normally so difficult in the closing strait. You don't usually

have obstacles at the end. He handled that well. Even when Brenes

falls you can see what happens behind, everybody looks shocked and

what's going to happen, oh, I have to pass. Great performance by him

all the way. He is going into Istanbul with a lot of confidence

and that's what we want to see. At last we are getting 400m runners at

the best of their games again, which is fantastic for us. What

would have been his run had he not fallen? He might have run close to

45.1 perhaps. It's very unfortunate. Doesn't seem to be any controversy

there. His legs went underneath him and he ended up hitting the deck.

Great run from Nigel. Nigel and Richard going to Istanbul. Now the

women's 800m. This is going to be a real test for

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 42 seconds

Helen, and the rest. There she is. A lifetime best. Still a British

record is held by a Jo Pavey, which she ran in stood guard in 2007,

eight 31.50. I think we can expect here. The Romanian champion. Roxana

Barca. Elle Baker. Along with Gemma Steel. The same club as Paula

Radcliffe. And then Emily Pidgeon, the European junior champion at

5,000 metres. And then the Kenyan champion at 1,500. Helen Obiri. And

then the world cross-country champion. Gelete Burka. And then

Helen Clitheroe. And the real outsider, the real outsider, one of

the all-time greats at 25 years old. Meseret Defar. And then the

pacemaker from Ireland, we know that because it's on her vest. Rose

Anne Galligan. They have asked for a good pace. Away we go. 15 laps in

this women's 3,000. The pace is around about 248. For the first

1,000 metres, representing just under 34 second laps. A real test

here for the Britons. It really is. There are two races between the

British athletes, trying to run fast times, as well as they can,

and then three outstanding Ethiopian athletes. We are looking

at second place, Rose Anne Galligan being tracked. She is the fastest

woman ever over 3,000 metres indoors, the world record holder at

this distance, Roxana Barca, and she has been over the last few

years one of the most outstanding female distance runners in the

world. Helen Clitheroe Meseret Defar. There muddles are there to

prove that. -- medals. They will be difficult to trouble, in the first

three positions. Helen Clitheroe is there already. She is back in 6th

place, if you discount the pacemaker, still leading. There she

comfortable at the moment. After a fast first 200 metres, the pace has

dropped a bit. Still pretty quick. Meseret Defar, the first of the

main contenders there. And just behind her is a Burka. Sticking to

her task, trying to get this job going. Meseret Defar, looking to

see what's going on, on the big screen as she goes down the

straight. She is in the lead with two of her talented team-mates

behind her. The Kenyan athlete, Helen Obiri, and then Helen

Clitheroe and Gemma Steel. It will be interesting for Gemma Steel. She

is at the back of the group. Let's see how she progressive --

progresses. Meanwhile, Jessica Ennis goes in the long jump.

Massive cheering from the crowd. Good take-off. Certainly over six

metres and the current leader. The current leader is a 6.53. Karen May.

It doesn't appear to trouble that. The measurement taken from the park

closes to the board. So much room. Not even on the board, Jessica

Ennis, on her first attempt in the long jump. 6.53, the leading mark.

Of course, but scintillating personal best in the hurdles. If

first-round effort. Lots more to come from death again is, I'm sure.

Well, we went through the first 1,000 metres one lap ago. Rose Anne

Galligan, a little outside the pace they were asking for. The class of

this field, it's up to her. Less than 2000 metres to go. She has got

Obiri. She also has got Ethiopian and then Meselech Melkamu. Helen

Clitheroe working hard, finding herself a little bit detached will

stop they are progressing at a significant pace. That single lap

was the fastest lap of the race. 33.9 for the 200 metres but. She

has looked me up all the time at the clock, to get the information

she needs, Meseret Defar but the information she is getting is that

she has three class athletes behind, running her own race here.

There's certainly no let-up in the pace she is facing but still

looking strong. Still looking quite bouncy but Meseret Defar is taking

it out now. The last 800 metres have been downed the world record

holder, Meseret Defar. She set it in it stood guard five seasons ago.

That was some pace. She is still heading Obiri. Defar, she has got

to think about her tactics. She is leading, followed by three class

athletes. She has a fast finish herself. Former Olympic, world

champion, four-times world indoor champion. The pressure of leading

eventually will tell and she gets a gap. She tries to let the pace.

Five minutes and 44 seconds. I'd seconds off the pace, the world

record pace, which she set. Eight minutes and 30 seconds would be an

outstanding time. That is the time they are heading for and you sense

she is coming under pressure in 4th place now, Gelete Burka. The pace

is lifting now. You can see that she is moving at fast, moving along

quickly, with four laps to go in the women's 3,000 metres, Meseret

Defar. She still leads. And certainly we have seen the biggest

gap between first place and 5th place. Still Helen Clitheroe. Since

the pacemaker dropped out after a 1,000 metres, she is beginning to

stretch away again. 1,500 metres specialist. She can't live there

would this incessant pace. The former Olympic champion, and 5,000

metres, Meseret Defar. Less than 600 metres remaining. And now, this

is the fastest lap of the race. That is why she has opened the gap

and she is under pressure. Meseret Defar, showing why, for these years,

she has been the outstanding female distance runner for the first and

third place in the Olympic Games in the last two runnings. A first and

three thirds in the World Championships, and four times

unbeaten in the World Indoor Championships. But this is a class

athlete in every sense. She came here to run quickly, she came here

to run well. It's going to be a fast time here today. Well, the

last time they went through, the finish line, there were two laps to

go. About 300 metres left for Meseret Defar, who is pulling away

hear from everyone. But is not finished yet. She response to the

bell, and moving faster as she goes pulls up just over eight minutes

with 200 metres remaining, so she has got to run a quick time here.

Helen Clitheroe, by the way, is running quickly. Back in 5th place.

This is a class performance by an Meseret Defar. It certainly is.

Anybody inside 830, matches the all-time record. She will be just

outside it, but nevertheless, a brilliant run. Absolutely superb by

the Ethiopian. A South African, one, two, three. But a massive cheer now

for Helen Clitheroe. Helen Clitheroe, there, just finishing.

Outside 80.50. Not as fast as the past, but this was a top-class

field that she was the best of them. Superb by Meseret Defar from

Ethiopia. She sneaks onto the world all-time top 10 list with a

performance, but, let's face it, she is the indoor champion and the

fastest ever 3,000-metre runner Bleasdale. First of all, how much

of a surprise as your form been to you this season? Although I did

work really hard in the winter, it has been quite a surprise for the

my coach expected I jumped around that but I didn't believe it but

I'd jump did, and I know there is much more left I can do, so we need

to get everything together and hopefully can do well in the future.

Today you Anna Rogowska, you beat her. There was pressure. Oh my

technique is lacking a little bit. I work really hard and today my

technique was a little bit lacking. I need to get back into training

and make sure everything comes together and hopefully I will jump

much higher. I'm really happy to be jumping consistently. I'm going to

show it to you now so you can talk us through it. Happy with the run-

up? Yes, it was really, really good, but my hipster and move quite as

quick, so that could be an area to improve, but I was pretty happy

with that. You changed Poles. In Lyon, it was on a less stiff one,

so how much of a change was it? moved up to 445, it took me about

five weeks to mastered it. I mastered quickly, but it's a big

change for me, so me and my coach are debating whether we should do

more. It seems the best for me to do. We have been working hard. It's

not going to plan just yet but hopefully more training sessions, I

will be back in business. Anna Rogowska, you beat up against her

in Stockholm. How does it feel to be mentioned are the same sentence

as these people? The same time last year, I'd dreamed to beat her, and

now I had beaten her twice. It's quite an achievement. It's done my

confidence lots of good. I'm going into each competition not fearing

it, thinking I have a chance of beating them, and that's what I

want to do. You have timed perfectly with the Olympics around

the corner. Yes, but obviously a massive bonus. It's good to come

into form in the year of the Olympics. I'm only young but to

compete in the Olympics is my dream. To come into form now is a dream

come true but I hope back into the nation proud. You have done

brilliantly well today. Good luck for the future. Next up on track,

the men's 5,000 metres also a real much fun when I come to Great

Britain. For the race, this weekend, I'm looking forward to running fast.

I was telling my friends and my coach, I have not run well in the

1,500 metres in the past three years, so I want to see if I can do

something good. The guys and racing against are really good. So if I

can use them to help me out, to run faster, it will be really good, so

my aim, to be honest with you, if I could get through and and 33, that

would be good. The good thing with the British people, everybody was

coming to the races, we understand what track and field is about. The

fans have been great and they give he is 37 and he heads up what looks

like a very high quality area, one of the best races we have this

afternoon. Let us clear up the result. That was a class act. That

is this season's best. And that African 1, 2, 3. He along chum,

Shara Proctor. The UK indoor champion. She was threatening the

long-standing British record. 6.70. That is a leading mark in the first

round. She appears to be comfortably in front. Landed well

on the board and she was putting a good series of chums together this

season, and that is bowling well. She will go through with automatic

qualification to Istanbul, having passed that standard. Takes the

lead Jessica Ennis, round two. The red flag. Beyond six metres. That

is her season's best. She has a lifetime best in the heptathlon

long jump. She got that winning the world indoor title two years ago.

She would love to defend that crown next month in Istanbul. Contrasting

to her first-round Evered, perfect on the board. Round number two.

That will be a clear improvement, what damage will that do to the

leader board? 6.22. That is the new season's best and that misery into

5th place. So, the men's high jump. He was a little bit shaky from that

opening height. This man rocketed to the top on a high jump rankings,

clearing that 2.34, the third all- time British list. No problem,

whatsoever. B1 macro. Robbie Grabarz. The men are out for the

1500 metres, that is a great field. Lewis Moses, the UK champion.

Trying to get that spot in Istanbul, so his Andrew Baddeley. Bernard

Lagat. Perhaps the most famous name. Meseret Defar, the pacemaker. They

have asked for a very quick pace. Lewis Moses, already going to