Canberra teenage sensation Cameron Myers has smashed a long-standing age record over 1500m in his first ever Diamond League race, running a Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying time.
National under-18 and under-20 1500m record holder Myers blew away expectations, with the 17-year-old running 3:33.26 to set the fastest under-18 metric mile performance of all time, breaking the former record of 3:33.72 set by Kenya’s Nicholas Kiptaniu Kemoi in 2006.
Myers joined a world-class field in which 13 of the 14 finishers met the Olympic qualifying standard for Paris 2024 – including the Canberra teen, who crossed the line 11th.
Myers’ run topped the previous world under-18 best of 3:33.72 set by Kenya’s Nicholas Kiptanui Kemoi in 2006.
“It’s great to get qualifiers, in particular for Paris next year, that’s really pleasing,” Myers said.
“That U18 world best is kind of cool.”
Meanshile, Linden Hall has made a statement ahead of next month’s world athletics championships, reclaiming the Australian women’s 1500m record at the Diamond League meet in Poland.
Olympic high jump silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers and Commonwealth Games javelin medallist Mackenzie Little both finished on the podium in an event that marked the return from injury of Australia’s high jump world champion Eleanor Patterson.
Victorian Hall delivered a masterful performance to set an Australian record and lodge an all-important Paris 2024 qualifier.
As one of four Australian women with the 1500m qualifying time for August’s world titles in Budapest, Hall crossed the line in three minutes 57.27 to reclaim her Australian and Oceanian record from Jessica Hull by 0.02 seconds.
“It feels very nice to run a big PB (personal best), probably quicker than I was expecting,” Hall said.
“It’s a bit of a relief to slot back into that top spot.”
Winning javelin gold at the Lausanne Diamond League last month, Little consolidated with a silver medal to stamp herself among the favourites for Budapest.
With Australia’s two-time world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber also in the field, Little secured second spot with a fourth-round throw of 64.50 metres, also a Paris 2024 qualifier.
Barber’s opening-round throw of 59.02m left her in seventh.
Olyslagers’ streak of eight victories ended when she was forced to settle for silver behind Ukraine’s Iryna Gerashchenko.
The Australian secured a Paris qualifier after clearing 1.98m on her third attempt.
Jumping for the first time since a foot fracture in January, Patterson cleared a respectable 1.89m as she builds towards Budapest, where she will defend her world crown.
Among other Australian results, Abbey Caldwell collected a Paris 2024 qualifier, finishing fifth in the 800m final in 1:58.48.
High jumper Brandon Starc continued his build-up for Budapest, placing equal fourth with a best of 2.27m.
Among the international athletes, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke his own European 1500m record, clocking 3:27.14.
South Africa’s Akani Simbine won his second-straight Diamond League 100m, clocking 9.97 seconds.
US sprinter Fred Kerley was in second place, tasting defeat for the first time this season.
His fellow American Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100m in 10.76, edging out Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson by 0.02 seconds.
