Kenyan athlete Asbel Kiprop (R) reacts upon winning the 1500m men event at the IAAF Diamond League meeting  in Monaco yesterday.

AFP/Monaco


Two-time defending world champion Asbel Kiprop sprinted away to the fifth fastest 1500m ever run at the Monaco Diamond League meet yesterday as Mo Farah struggled to stay with his startling pace on the last lap.
Kiprop, also the 2008 Olympic gold medallist, clocked 3min 26.69sec, just 0.69sec off Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s world record set in Rome in 1999.  
The Kenyan’s time was the fastest run in 14 seasons and leaves him the third fastest performer of all time.
“At the bell I saw 2:31-2:32 so I knew it could be a very fast time,” said Kiprop.
“At the end of the day, I’m very satisfied, but can admit I wanted a bit of a faster time.
“But all things considered, it’s great and confirms my form before Beijing.”
World and Olympic 5,000-10,000m champion Farah, in his second race since doping allegations levelled at his coach Alberto Salazar, came in fourth in 3:28.93.
The Briton, who missed out on his European record set at the same Stade Louis II two years ago by 0.12sec, said his outing was perfect speed training for his attempt to defend his two titles at next month’s world championships in Beijing.
“It was good to be in that company,” said Farah. “I just could not close that gap on Asbel. Coming here I wanted to run hard, not just a race and it worked.
“As for the double in Beijing, I will do the 10,000m for sure and then we will see about the 5000m.”  Algeria’s Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi powered through in the last 200m for second in a personal best of 3:28.75 with Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider, world indoor champion and bronze medallist at the London Games, taking third, also in a PB of 3:28.79.
New Zealand’s Nick Willis, Olympic silver medallist in 2008, set an Oceania record finishing fifth in 3:29.66.
The blistering pace saw six other runners set personal bests in perfect, if slightly humid, conditions, with temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius (86F).
Kenyan Andrew Botich set the pace through the first two laps, Farah set in fourth behind Kiprop.
With two laps to go, a second pace-setter Jackson Kivuva took over at a startling pace, Kiprop going through at the bell with a 10-metre lead on Farah.
The tall, lean Kenyan stretched that lead down the far strait, Farah slipping back to fourth behind Makhloufi and Iguider, as Kiprop came home in great style.
“The race was really fast!” said Makhloufi. “I’m very happy with my performance and I hope I can get better and better. The final in Beijing will be different as the best of the best will be there but I’m playing to win so count on me!”
Meanwhile, controversial American Justin Gatlin scorched to his 27th successive win when he cruised to victory in the 100m in a meet record of 9.78 seconds.
Gatlin, starting in lane number three, blasted out of the blocks at the Stade Louis II and streaked ahead of the field reduced to seven after 20-year-old US sensation Trayvon Bromell was disqualified for a false start.
Giving everything he had, Gatlin did not let up and raced through the line with clenched teeth in a time just 0.04sec off his own season best set in Doha in May.
A third American, Tyson Gay, who has also served a doping ban, finished second in 9.97sec, ahead of Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut in 10.03sec.
Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt again sat out a trip to Monte Carlo, instead opting to race in the London Anniversary Games later this month having battled a pelvic injury.
The 33-year-old Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, has confirmed himself as favourite to take Bolt’s double sprint titles at the Beijing worlds should the towering Jamaican be slightly off form and fitness.