Werro holds off Broeders-Bol, Bednarek shines at Diamond League Final

Audrey Werro of Switzerland held off Femke Broeders-Bol to win the women’s 800 metres at the Diamond League Final, clocking 1:54.75 to the Dutch runner’s 1:54.81.

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I went out to the front and had fun, which was something I explicitly wanted to do during the last Diamond League of the year.

Werro said she had wanted to lead and enjoy the final Diamond League race of the year. She felt Broeders-Bol applying pressure throughout the race, and said that challenge pushed her to maintain her pace.

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I felt Femke putting me under pressure during the whole race and that absolutely pushed me to not slow down.

Kenny Bednarek of the United States won the men’s 200 metres in a world-leading 19.62. He said he was pleased to win in cold conditions, at 16 degrees Celsius, while dealing with a minor illness. Bednarek said he could set a major personal best at the upcoming Ultimate Championships if he executed well.

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I’m definitely happy with this result. To get the win under these cold conditions and a bit of sickness, I can’t ask for more.

Masai Russell won the women’s 100-metre hurdles in 12.20, nine days after setting a world record of 12.09. Alison dos Santos won the men’s 400-metre hurdles in 46.70. Birhanu Balew won the men’s 5,000 metres in a world-leading 12:45.70, while Klaudia Kazimierska won the women’s 1,500 metres in a world-leading 3:54.05, nearly two seconds faster than her previous personal best. Eight women finished under four minutes.

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Titles are the most important thing: when you race to win, the time takes care of itself.