Usain Bolt plays in rain, but David Rudisha's world record bid is a washout

Jamaican wins again and Grabarz grabs high jump prize, but no glory for Kenyan 800m star

There was no metaphorical raining on Usain Bolt's latest post-Olympic parade in Zurich last night. It was different for the athlete who produced the standout run of London 2012.

While Usain Bolt produced another Swiss stroll of a 200m win, Yohan Blake racked up a routine 100m victory and the burgeoning Brit Robbie Grabarz claimed the Diamond League high jump prize of $40,000 (£25,000), despite a defeat on the night), David Rudisha was beaten by the clock and by a teenage rival on the rain-sodden track at the Letzigrund Stadion.

The Swiss rain certainly put paid to any hopes of Rudisha improving on the stunning 800m world record he set at the Olympic Games, 1min 40.91sec. The Kenyan had remained in Europe after the Games specifically to have a shot at his two-lap time in Zurich but the wet conditions were not to his liking.

Rudisha made no attempt to stick on the heels of pacemaker Sammy Tangui on the opening lap and when his fellow Kenyan dropped out he was gradually closed down by Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia. Aman, just 18, scented blood around the final turn and sprinted past in the home straight to win in 1min 42.53sec, an Ethiopian record.

"I never feel good when the track is wet and it is raining," confessed Rudisha, the runner-up in 1:42.81. The Maasai warrior has lost just twice in three summers, on both occasions to Aman, who beat him in Rieti in September last year but could finish only seventh in the Olympic final in London. There were two Britons in the field last night, Andrew Osagie finishing fifth in 1:44.94, with Michael Rimmer sixth in 1:45.06.

Grabarz needed only to beat the American Jesse Williams to claim the Diamond League high jump prize and managed to do so with a second-time clearance at 2.28m. He was beaten by Olympic champion Ivan Ikhov, the only man to succeed at 2.31m, but had the consolation of a $40,000 cheque at the end of a breakthrough season – a year after almost quitting the sport to take the offer of a job restoring classic cars.

"It's been an incredible year – European champion, Olympic bronze medallist and Diamond League winner," Grabarz reflected. "It's crazy. It hasn't quite sunk in yet."

It has not been a bad year for Bolt, with three Olympic gold medals. Last night he played to the gallery, making shivering gestures on the start line before ambling around the turn and picking up the pace in the home straight to make 19.66sec look like a jog.

"It's been a long season for me," he said. "It's been up and down." It has also included a visit to Old Trafford – last weekend – to see his beloved Manchester United.

"I definitely think I can do a good job for them," Bolt said. "I sat down and talked to Sir Alex. He said if I want to come and train for a couple of days I can. I think I'll be a winger."

No doubt Blake would be happy if the clowning Bolt did become a Premier League winger. He won the 100m in 9.76sec last night, after Tyson Gay had been disqualified for a false start.

There were third-placed finishes for Britons Steve Lewis in the pole vault (5.55m) and Shara Proctor in the long jump (6.80m) but Christine Ohuruogu was eighth and last in the 400m, clocking 52.41sec.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford

A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...

by Gareth Purnell

On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim

I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...

by Martin Ayres

PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism

Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...

by Matthew Riding

       
Independent Dating
and  

By clicking 'Search' you
are agreeing to our
Terms of Use.

Career Services
iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

Supply Teachers - URGENTLY NEEDED FOR EXCESS WORK

£90 - £130 per day: Randstad Education Southampton: (Experienced Primary Teach...

Day to Day Partnership Primary Teacher Position- Southwark

£100 - £135 per day: Randstad Education London: We are looking for a Primary t...

Senior Thermal Design Engineer - Dorset

£45000 - £50000 per annum + Bonus: Progressive Recruitment: Our client is reco...

Full Time Permanent Primary School SENCO Required

£28800 - £36000 per annum: Randstad Education London: Full time, permanent SEN...

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in