Russian pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva only needed two for the win; China has a new(ish) long jump star in Li Jinzhe; Russia rules race walking; Jess Ennis’ wedding guest list; Cain, Harting and more … SPIKES reviews the weekend, in numbers.
Iron your arm flags, fans, it’s IAAF Diamond League time. The 2013 season starts in Doha, Qatar on Friday, with the likes of Allyson Felix, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and David Rudisha headlining an all-star cast.
Find out how one of the world’s fastest men ever must battle his own body, not to mention Usain Bolt, for a shot at immortality.
Olympic 4x400m champion Chris Brown has entered a new world as a meet promoter, and SPIKES catches up with him ahead of the inaugural Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational on Sunday, which features fellow sprint stars Kirani James and Veronica Campbell-Brown.
![Athletics returns to Olympic Stadium
British Athletics has announced that this year’s London’s Diamond League meet, on 27th July, will be moved from Crystal Palace to the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium.
The decision has been greeted with excitement from athletes and fans alike. 5000m and 10,000m Olympic champion Mo Farah said: “It’s fantastic that the London Grand Prix is going to be held at the Olympic Stadium in July.
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“The atmosphere was electric during the Games, I’ll never forget it, so it’s great that the British fans, and athletes, will get to experience that again so soon after the Games.”
The move has the potential to make London one of the premier Diamond League events, especially if the athletics crowds at London 2012 return in the same numbers.
Olympic Heptathlon champion Jess Ennis hopes they do: “it is brilliant to hear that the British Athletics London GP is going to be held at the Olympic Stadium.
“It will give athletes and fans who did not get to experience the amazing venue the chance to go there, and for those of us who had the most incredible experiences on the track and field, an opportunity to re-live a few memories!”
The packed stadium rocked last summer for David Rudisha’s 800m WR, Usain Bolt’s double-triple, Robert Harting’s celebration and a Jess Ennis, Greg Rutherford and Mo Farah inspired ‘Super Saturday’ for British athletes.
Athletics fans and athletes have also taken to Twitter to express their excitement.
Matt Hewitt @Hewitt_Matt London Diamond League in the Olympic stadium!!! UNREAL
Goldie Sayers @goldiesayers
Great news that the London leg of the Diamond League will be in the Olympic stadium in july. I’ll miss Crystal Palace but this is exciting!
Kathleen@Kat_Rocket
Diamond league athletics at the Olympic stadium. I’ll be in line for tickets!
Leo @decath10n
@spikesmag That is going to be incredible.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/890f491b4d545ffd7f6f9dcf5c43aa02/tumblr_mh4pzxYgxu1rhgd4yo1_400.jpg)
Athletics returns to Olympic Stadium
British Athletics has announced that this year’s London’s Diamond League meet, on 27th July, will be moved from Crystal Palace to the 80,000-seat Olympic Stadium.
The decision has been greeted with excitement from athletes and fans alike. 5000m and 10,000m Olympic champion Mo Farah said: “It’s fantastic that the London Grand Prix is going to be held at the Olympic Stadium in July.
