2015 Diamond League thread

Chivito550

Thought it would be a good idea to open up a thread for this season for general discussion on the 14 DL events. Good first meet in Doha. Decent crowd, incredible triple jump, quality run by Thomas Barr, but all soured somewhat by Gatlin.

Thoughts on tonight?

eldiva

Great level of competition in the TJ. If Pichardo and Taylor can keep that level of jumping up we could have a great duel come World Champs. I'm more excited about the duels in the TJ and HJ this year than I would be any other discipline. Barr's last 30-40m was incredible and nearly pipped Culson to second.

Thought Farah got his tactics all wrong in the 3k as did Richards Ross in the 400m, she just looked flat in the last 100m I won't even comment on the 100m. Great run by the rabbit in the women's 3k steeple actually.

Slow_Runner

eldiva wrote: »

Thought Farah got his tactics all wrong in the 3k as did Richards Ross in the 400m, she just looked flat in the last 100m I won't even comment on the 100m. Great run by the rabbit in the women's 3k steeple actually.

Once Kejelcha broke early Farah was in trouble, even tough he dropped off it was enough to stop Farah controlling the race - I wonder is this a tactic that others may use in the future? will make for an interesting season.

Ayalew didn't look happy about the pacer winning - what is the etiquette areound that? Is the pacer paid/contracted to pace or how does it work at that level.

Looking forward to the men's HJ on Sunday, hope it'll be as good as TJ last night.

ASIMON0V

I am thinking of going to one of the diamond league meets this year. Looking at Oslo, Lausanne, London and Zurich - but open to suggestions. Does anyone have any recommendations or tips for which one might be best to go for?

Chivito550

ASIMON0V wrote: »

I am thinking of going to one of the diamond league meets this year. Looking at Oslo, Lausanne, London and Zurich - but open to suggestions. Does anyone have any recommendations or tips for which one might be best to go for?

You're wallet won't be thanking you if you go to Oslo or Zurich, but they probably are the best meets, along with Brussels. Zurich is a lovely city, while Oslo is a bit bland by European standards. Lausanne is a beautiful city as well, but like everywhere in Switzerland, crazy expensive.

ASIMON0V

Chivito550 wrote: »

You're wallet won't be thanking you if you go to Oslo or Zurich, but they probably are the best meets, along with Brussels. Zurich is a lovely city, while Oslo is a bit bland by European standards. Lausanne is a beautiful city as well, but like everywhere in Switzerland, crazy expensive.

Okay thanks a million Chivito - I was in Lausanne a few weeks ago - mad expensive is right - Olympic museum is cool though. I'll look at Oslo and Zurich and see if there is a way to do it on some form of budget.

Two more quick questions...

Do tickets sell out?

is it worth paying for good ones or is there any kind of freedom to move around the stadium?

Thanks

Chivito550

ASIMON0V wrote: »

Okay thanks a million Chivito - I was in Lausanne a few weeks ago - mad expensive is right - Olympic museum is cool though. I'll look at Oslo and Zurich and see if there is a way to do it on some form of budget.

Two more quick questions...

Do tickets sell out?

is it worth paying for good ones or is there any kind of freedom to move around the stadium?

Thanks

I've never actually gone to a DL meet. I tend to prefer to go major championships, as it means multiple days of Athletics. For that reason I'd be most keen on the London DL as there are 2 days. But it's not that exciting travelling to London as we've all been there, multiple times. Tbh most of the European DL meets will be good, and most places will be pricey, so just go with the one that appeals most.

Brianderunner or Rainbow Kirby might be able to help you out on the other questions as they've been to a few DL meets.

rainbow kirby

Birmingham on June 7th would be very accessible, as would London in late July. We are going to Eugene, London and Paris DL meetings this year and have been to Oslo, Zurich, London and Birmingham in the past. Do feel free to ask any questions!

ASIMON0V

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Birmingham on June 7th would be very accessible, as would London in late July. We are going to Eugene, London and Paris DL meetings this year and have been to Oslo, Zurich, London and Birmingham in the past. Do feel free to ask any questions!

Ok that's great - Eugene will be a cool trip. June is out cos its death by Tullamore with leinster juvenile champs on nearly every weekend. I'll go and do some homework on the options.

NetwerkErrer

I'd say the women's 5000m WR is hanging by a thread and won't last the summer if Ayana and Dibaba on the track together and gunning for a time trial. Ayana's run today was ridiculous and the 3rd fastest 5000m of all time and running the last 3k in 8:25, that's Sonia's PB for 3k iirc!, unbelievable running. I can see the 14 minute barrier going soon.

dna_leri

NetwerkErrer wrote: »

I'd say the women's 5000m WR is hanging by a thread and won't last the summer if Ayana and Dibaba on the track together and gunning for a time trial. Ayana's run today was ridiculous and the 3rd fastest 5000m of all time and running the last 3k in 8:25, that's Sonia's PB for 3k iirc!, unbelievable running. I can see the 14 minute barrier going soon.

THey are scheduled to meet in Pre Classic and again in Oslo.

KielyUnusual

NetwerkErrer wrote: »

I'd say the women's 5000m WR is hanging by a thread and won't last the summer if Ayana and Dibaba on the track together and gunning for a time trial. Ayana's run today was ridiculous and the 3rd fastest 5000m of all time and running the last 3k in 8:25, that's Sonia's PB for 3k iirc!, unbelievable running. I can see the 14 minute barrier going soon.

Yea, that was very impressive to watch. To be knocking out regular 67 and 68 second laps under absolutely no pressure for the final 6 or 7 laps is ridiculous. The world record definitely looks under serious threat. You've got to love those classic head to head battles as well.

Chivito550

NetwerkErrer wrote: »

I'd say the women's 5000m WR is hanging by a thread and won't last the summer if Ayana and Dibaba on the track together and gunning for a time trial. Ayana's run today was ridiculous and the 3rd fastest 5000m of all time and running the last 3k in 8:25, that's Sonia's PB for 3k iirc!, unbelievable running. I can see the 14 minute barrier going soon.

Not quite. Sonia's 3000m time was 8:21.64. European record and fastest ever non Chinese time at that point and for another 8 years after that.

Insane running tonight though. On a different level.

Brianderunner

Planning the honeymoon around the Eugene DL in 2 weeks time!!! How many other couples have done that I wonder!

Oslo must be the most expensive city on earth. 11 euro beers, 3.50 euro for a mars bar, 30 euro for the hour long bus journey into town from the Ryanair airports etc, etc. But its a great meet and a lovely city to boot. The average industrial wage is 65k which tells you a lot about the cost of living.

Zurich ditto regarding the expenses. Expect a great meet with knowledgeable fans in a great stadium for athletics but also expect 15 euro foot longs, 8 euro beers, etc etc.

I was at the Paris DL about 10 years ago and going again in a few weeks. it's a fairly good night and the stadium is excellent.

London is probably the most accessible for you. The anniversary games 2 years ago was fairly good, 2 days is stretching things a bit but you could get away with only one night in a hotel with the timing of it.

Brum is better than you think it would be. The indoors in Feb is marginally better but the outdoors is fairly solid.

Brussels for me is the best of all the diamond leagues, I have been there twice, but get good seats if you can.

eldiva

Just out of curiosity do they sell beer at the meets?

rainbow kirby

Yep! You can drink it in your seat like you can at a rugby match. I don't remember drinking in Oslo, but we definitely had a (crazy expensive) pint at the Letzigrund and a few in the Olympic stadium in London the year after that.

Chivito550

eldiva wrote: »

Just out of curiosity do they sell beer at the meets?

Everywhere outside of Ireland sells beer at track meets. We could learn a thing or two from our European counterparts about how to make Athletics meets spectator friendly.

eldiva

Nice one lads. Might have to plan a trip myself

eldiva

Brianderunner wrote: »

Brussels for me is the best of all the diamond leagues, I have been there twice, but get good seats if you can.

Could you recommend a decent area for seats for this venue? Planning on heading over and was thinking of either booking seats for the top bend near the finish line or at the final bend near the start line. Any recommendations?

Itziger

Sounds like good satire:

Mr Gatlin, 'That's not the kind of man I am'

"But I'm not a man like that. I'm not the kind of guy to cheat people of their money or let the fans down ... that's not what I do."

clear thinking

Morton Games on Friday July 24th has ample booze, which can be enjoyed in the boozing area adjacent to the 200m start.

Chivito550

clear thinking wrote: »

Morton Games on Friday July 24th has ample booze, which can be enjoyed in the boozing area adjacent to the 200m start.

You mean inside the Clonliffe clubhouse?

clear thinking

Chivito550 wrote: »

You mean inside the Clonliffe clubhouse?

That too, but last year you could take the booze to a sectioned off area at trackside.

Chivito550

clear thinking wrote: »

That too, but last year you could take the booze to a sectioned off area at trackside.

Didn't know that. But regardless, that's hardly making the event spectator friendly. I don't see why they can't sell burgers and beer at the big meets like this, and let the spectators bring their beers to their seats. It's a Friday night. Why not make it a good alternative to going to the pub? It's Athletics fans we are talking about here with the hope of bringing in some casual followers (the well rounded sports fan). It's not Millwall or Boca Juniors supporters we are dealing with here.

clear thinking

Chivito550 wrote: »

Didn't know that. But regardless, that's hardly making the event spectator friendly. I don't see why they can't sell burgers and beer at the big meets like this, and let the spectators bring their beers to their seats. It's a Friday night. Why not make it a good alternative to going to the pub? It's Athletics fans we are talking about here with the hope of bringing in some casual followers (the well rounded sports fan). It's not Millwall or Boca Juniors supporters we are dealing with here.

Probably a dip if the toe, the Garda would need to approve it so they would need evidence that it wont cause problems.

Id love a beer tent near the finish line as well!!

clear thinking

Ps didn't mean to hijack the thread. The dl was pretty good, gatlin is a jokeshop.

average_runner

clear thinking wrote: »

Probably a dip if the toe, the Garda would need to approve it so they would need evidence that it wont cause problems.

Id love a beer tent near the finish line as well!!

Can do it at a Leinster match.

Chivito550

Fantastic action at Hayward Field, always one of the most enjoyable meets to watch. Fantastic that the 2021 World Champs are there but I hope they don't extend the stadium too much as it seems to have a great intimate atmosphere the way it is right now.

Kirani James looked class in the men's 400m, Barshim in HJ and Levellenie in Pole Vault going 6.05 after nearly bombing out at his first height. He's an unpredictable character. Dibaba looked good running 14:19.

rainbow kirby

Eugene is going to be AMAZING for worlds in 2021. Seriously. We had an absolutely fantastic time here on both days and the beer is great too

Brianderunner

eldiva wrote: »

Could you recommend a decent area for seats for this venue? Planning on heading over and was thinking of either booking seats for the top bend near the finish line or at the final bend near the start line. Any recommendations?

Yeah either of those places would be fine with a marginal preference for the ones just past the finish line. Dont go high up anywhere from 50-300m around the track. The view is sh!te.

+1 for what RK said about Eugene. It was the best athletics meet we have attended, olympics and world champs included there. 2021 will be epic. Eugene is heaven on earth for an athletics fan.

Chivito550

Thomas Barr down to compete in Rome.