Yohan Blake & Usain Bolt win in Zurich Diamond League
- Published
Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake wowed the crowds in Zurich in the penultimate Diamond League event of the season.
The Jamaican duo were the star attraction in a field that included 15 gold medallists from London 2012.
The pair, who have not gone head to head since the Olympics, avoided each other again, Bolt winning the 200m in 19.66secs and Blake the 100m in 9.76.
High jumper Robbie Grabarz was pick of the Britons, winning the Diamond Race after finishing second on the night.
The 24-year-old, who won bronze in London, cleared 2.28m to finish second to Ivan Ukhov's 2.31 on the night, but his performances over the course of the season mean he cannot be caught in the overall Diamond League standings, with just one meet remaining.
Speaking before the event Jamaican sprint star Blake, who won silver in both the 100m and 200m at the Olympics, said he hoped to spring another surprise.
He ran the joint-third fastest time in 100m history in Lausanne last week - only Bolt has run faster - but wet conditions in Switzerland did not lend themselves to fast times.
Victory was made easier, however, when his main competitor Tyson Gay of the United States was disqualified for a false start.
In the end it proved an easy win for the 22-year-old, who beat countryman Nesta Carter into second with American Ryan Bailey third.
In the 200m, Bolt was pushed hard by another Jamaican, Nickel Ashmeade, before he found his stride in the final 50 metres to cruise home.
Jason Young and Warren Weir made sure Jamaicans took the top four places.
Elsewhere, David Rudisha, who broke his own 800m world record in London on his way to gold, suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Ethiopian Mohammed Aman.
The Kenyan has made no secret of his dislike for the rain and it seemed to play its part as he was beaten in his final race of the season, despite leading most of the way.
In the final race of the night, a British quartet of Dwain Chambers, Adam Gemili, Christian Malcolm and Dan Talbot came third in the 4x100m relay behind the United States and a Jamaican team who were without both Bolt and Blake.
In the women's events, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Carmelita Jeter, who were first and second in the 100m final in London, renewed their rivalry for the third time since the Olympics.
Since her Olympic disappointment, Jeter has not been beaten, winning the events in Lausanne and Birmingham.
But in the final race of her season Fraser-Pryce finished in style, clocking 10.83 to beat the American into second place, with Olympic 200m champion Allyson Felix third.
The 400m saw the top four finishers from London competing, with gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross taking the honours again.
It was a disappointing night for British silver medallist Christine Ohuruogu though as she finished last, more than two seconds behind the American.
In the 1500m, British duo Hannah England and Laura Weightman finish sixth and 13th respectively.
- Published22 August 2012
- Published16 August 2012