Oslo - Sanya Richards of the United States lowered her 2009
world best over 400 metres on Friday at the Bislett Games as she
remained in the hunt for the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot.
Richards posted 49.23 seconds, making her .34 of a second faster
than in her victory at the Golden League opener on June 14 in Berlin.
Shericka Williams of Jamaica became the second women this year to
dip below 50 seconds, clocking 49.98 seconds. World and Olympic
champion Christine Ohuruogu was no factor in sixth place in 51.19.
Athletes who win their event at all six stops of the elite series,
the other meets being in Rome, Paris, Zurich and Brussels, are
eligible for the 1 million dollar prize.
The jackpot dream of Antigua sprinter Daniel Bailey ended when the
Berlin winner was beaten in a 100m photo finish by former world
record holder Donovan Bailey on the finish line, with both timed in a
modest 10.07 seconds.
Other stars set to compete in Oslo were Russian pole vaulter
Yelena Isinbayeva, Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic and Ethiopian
distance runner Meseret Defar, the latter aiming for a third 5,000m
world record in Oslo in as many years.
Defar set a world record in 2007 which was bettered last year at
the same meet by world and Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba to 14
minutes 11.50 seconds. Dibaba was originally to run as well on
Friday, but withdrew due to injury.
The early stages of the meet were interrupted by a thunder storm
which led to a delay in the day's programme. But the skies soon
cleared again on a warm evening.
USA
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