ZURICH (AP) — Olympic high jump champion Mariya Lasitskene soared above her gold medal leap to clear a world-leading 2.05 meters at the Diamond League finals on Wednesday.
Another stellar three-way contest was sealed by Lasitskene going one centimeter beyond her title-winning clearance from the Tokyo Olympics. It also earned the Russian a $30,000 prize for winners on the season-long Diamond League circuit.
Olympic bronze medalist Yaroslava Mahuchikh placed second at 2.03, and silver medalist Nicola McDermott peaked at 2.01.
It was the first time a women’s high jump podium all cleared 2.01 since the Diamond League launched in 2010.
The event was the high point of an innovative start to the two-day finals meeting, which features all 32 track and field disciplines for men and women.
Zurich’s historic Opera House was the backdrop for seven events on a sun-bathed evening at a temporary lakeside site downtown.
Other winners Wednesday included an American double in shot put for Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, at a meet record 22.67 meters, and Maggie Ewen with her season-best 19.41.
Thursday’s action is more like a traditional storied Weltklasse meeting at the city’s Letzigrund track and soccer stadium.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
