Asafa Powell the Great is back. The former Jamaican world record holder sent a strong signal to the sprint planet in the 100m year's best performance with 9'78. He dominated his fellow countryman Michael Frater (9'88) and Christophe Lemaitre, who equilized the record of France with 9'95. This performance is the 69th race of the Jamaican under 10 seconds.
In a full stadium (14,000 spectators) the French Teddy Tamgho signed the other world best performance of the evening in the triple jump. With 17m91 the French flew off on his third attempt, while he was in dire straits after missing his first two attempts. The brilliant protege of Ivan Pedroso got 6 cm close to his personal best and confirmed that he probably is the heir of the worldrecord holder Jonathan Edwards (18m29).
Tricolor Athletics has again demonstrated its great density at the highest level with the victory of Renaud Lavillenie in the pole vault (5m83).
The Kenyans have ensured a great show as well with a wonderful finish in the 5000 m race, won by Vincent Chepkok in 12'59''13. It is the first time that the "barrier" of 13 is broken at la Pontaise. While David Rudisha dominated the 800 m in 1'44''15. It is also worth mentioning the new meeting record of Christian Cantwell in the shot put (21.83 m) and the 88.19m in the javelin with Andreas Thorkildsen .
On the women’s side, great performances were achieved by Brittney Reese in the long jump (6.85 m) and Sally Pearson (AUS) with 12.47 in the too windy 100-meter hurdles. The Swiss Lisa Urech finished fifth in the same race with 12.72. Finally, the 4 x 100m relay Swiss record was broken (43.90).