Seoul Gazette - Monaco Diamond League: five stand-out events ahead of Paris Olympics

After a frenetic meet in Paris last weekend, a host of athletes fine-tuned their preparations for the Summer Games in some style in perfect conditions in Monaco.

AFP Sport looks at five events that stood out.

Men's 1500m

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is back! After battling an Achilles injury over the winter, the Norwegian has returned to the track in top form. He was superbly led out by two pace-setters in Monaco and promptly improved his European record to 3:26.73, also a world lead and sixth fastest time ever.

Only three men have ever run faster: Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, Bernard Lagat (when competing for Kenya and not the USA) and Kenya's Asbel Kiprop.

"I feel amazing," said Ingebrigtsen, who now trains alongside his brothers after they split from their father in an ongoing case in which they alleged domestic abuse.

"When you achieve great results, it is easier to be confident for future competitions. I am excited about Paris. I feel strong, I will do my best and hopefully bring home the gold medals."

Women's 100m

The question is whether St Lucia's Julien Alfred can mount a real challenge to her US and Jamaican rivals in the blue riband event, and on the back of her showing in Monaco, the answer must be yes.

Alfred, who won the world indoor 60m title in Glasgow in March, looked totally comfortable with victory in 10.85 seconds, 0.14sec ahead of American Tamari Davis and Britain's Dina Asher-Smith.

"I was specially prepared not to make a mistake and to just focus on myself and my own race," said Alfred.

"I am getting better with each race, I run more relaxed as well. I feel confident.

"I know that all I need to do is to trust my coach and to trust myself. The coach knows what is the best for me.

"I will get back to practice and just focus for my preparations for the Paris Games."

Men's 400m hurdles

Rai Benjamin made it 3-4 in the head-to-head tally with Norwegian rival Karsten Warholm with victory forged from a strong finish off the 10th and final hurdle through to the finish line.

Dubbed the clash of titans, with Brazil's Alison Dos Santos also competing for the first time since the trio filled the podium at the Tokyo Olympics, Benjamin clocked 46.67sec for the win.

The pressure is now on Warholm.

"Coming from the training I am feeling fast, but other guys run fast, too," conceded Warholm. "In the following weeks I will give my all to prepare as best as possible for the rest of the season. I will try to win in Paris."

"Paris is going to be madness," said Benjamin, who is bidding in Paris to shed his bridesmaid's tag as he has four minor medals (two silvers and a bronze at the world championships and silver in the Olympics).

"I have to win there. I believe I can do it."

Men's 200m

Noah Lyles might be many pundits' nail-on for Olympic 200m gold, but there is no doubt Botswana's Letsile Tebogo will be in the mix come Paris.

Double world sprint champion Lyles was a late withdrawal from Monaco and in his absence Tebogo made hay, winning in 19.87sec despite easing up 20 metres from the line.

It was a performance that will grab Lyles' attention. There will be no room for a let-up in the French capital on the back of 21-year-old Tebogo's form.

"Now we just need to get to the Olympics with a healthy body," the Botswanan said. "The race was perfect, we just shut it down and went to the line.

"I believe I am in the right shape for top performances, it's good that the Olympics are coming."

Men's 800m

Algerian Djamel Sedjati has David Rudisha's 800m world record in his sights after running a personal best of 1:41.46 for victory, a Diamond League record and new world leading time.

Sedjati has an incredible ability to kick from 200 metres and Rudisha's 1:40.91 set when he won Olympic gold in London in 2012 looks in real danger.

"I am now thinking of the world record, I hope to run it at the Olympic Games. I have two more weeks to prepare for it," he said.

E.Ma--SG