English
“Lightning Bolt” did not get a diamond in the windy conditions, but his win in the 200 metres, (20.03) was an enjoyment for 15 124 spectators and a relief for him. After his victory lap, the 24-year old said:
– It is wonderful to finally win an individual race at DN Galan. I love competing at Stockholm Olympic Stadium and I will be back next year!
The only diamond of the evening and the 68th since 1994 was awarded Keliese Spencer, Jamaica who won 400 metre hurdles for women in 53.74.
Three national records were set. Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot won 5 000 metres in 14:20.87, the world´s fourth fastest time ever. Mohamed Hamada was eighth in the B-final of the 1 500 meter with 3:38.16 which is a new Egyptian record and Mitchell Watt set a new Oceanian long jump record with 8.54 – only five centimeters from Cuban Ivan Pedroso´s Stadium record.
Yelena Isinbayeva won pole vault with 4.76 and European Junior champion Angelica Bengtsson was eighth with 4.41 in her DN Galan debut.
Norwegian javelin ace Andreas Thorkildsen secured his sixth win in nine starts at DN Galan with 88.43.
High jump was high-class with five men over 2.30. Ivan Ukhov, Russia won with 2.34 and Samsung Diamond League leader Jesse Williams, USA was second with 2.32.
Eight promising Swedish athletes were applauded for their medals at the 2011 World Youth Championships, European Junior Championships and European U23 Championships. Angelica Bengtsson, Fredrick Ekholm, Melker Svärd Jacobsson, Sofi Flinck, Johan Taléus, Elias Håkansson, Moa Hjelmer and Johan Rogestedt are exciting future prospects.
For hockey stars Börje Salming, Michael Nylander and Douglas Murray “Precision Shot” was a fun challenge. The task was to shoot pucks and hit a diamond 30 metres away. Michael Nylander, dressed in a New York Rangers jersey, won.
Erik Grönwall sang the national anthem and was followed by the surprise guest of the opening ceremony who arrived in a Batmobile.
– Now I want to see the world´s best athletes crush some records, Dolph Lundgren said in a voice sounding like Ivan Drago´s in Rocky 4.
