Americans dominate on final day of world indoors

AFP, PORTLAND: The United States won five gold medals as the host nation dominated the final day of the World Indoor Athletics Championships on Sunday to complete their best ever showing in the event.
American athletes won gold in the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays, the men’s 1,500m, the men’s long jump and women’s high jump as the first major championships since Russia was banned from track and field came to a close.
The four-day event wrapped up before a sell-out crowd of 7,191 at the Oregon Convention Centre, with the host nation finishing on top of the medal table with 13 golds, six silver and four bronze.
Ethiopia — whose athletics federation was warned earlier this month they could be banned unless they improve its anti-doping regime — finished second in the medal after winning two golds on the final day.
Ethiopian star Genzebe Dibaba successfully defended her 3,000m crown, a third consecutive gold medal at the world indoor championships after her victories in the 1,500m in 2012 and 3,000m two years ago in Sopot, Poland.
Dibaba powered home around 50 meters clear of her nearest rival, compatriot Meseret Defar, clocking a time of 8min 47.43sec, with Shannon Rowbury of the United States taking bronze.
Earlier, Dibaba’s compatriot Yomif Kejelcha won the men’s 3,000m, coming home in 7:57.21 to deny Ryan Hill of the United States, who took silver. Kenya’s Augustine Choge won bronze.
Dibaba meanwhile frowned when asked about the drugs scourge swirling around track and field since revelations of systemic doping in Russia which led to the country’s suspension.
“Doping is not good news for our sport, doping is no good for athletes,” said Dibaba, before reflecting on her win.
“I’m so happy, it’s my third world indoor medal already. It was easy for me because the field was not that strong.”
Sunday’s action also confirmed the emergence of a rising star in track and field, with American teenager Vashti Cunningham taking gold in the women’s high jump.
Cunningham, still only 18, won gold with a leap of 1.96m ahead of Ruth Beitia of Spain in second place and Poland’s Kamila Licwinko in third.
Cunningham — the daughter of legendary Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham — only competed in Portland after receiving a special invitation from track and field’s governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Americans dominate on final day of world indoors

AFP, PORTLAND: The United States won five gold medals as the host nation dominated the final day of the World Indoor Athletics Championships on Sunday to complete their best ever showing in the event. American athletes won gold in the mens and womens 4x400m relays, the mens 1,500m, the mens long jump and womens high jump as the first major championships since Russia was banned from track and field came to a close. The four-day event wrapped up before a sell-out crowd of 7,191 at the Oregon Convention Centre, with the host nation finishing on top of the medal table with 13 golds, six silver and four bronze. Ethiopia whose athletics federation was warned earlier this month they could be banned unless they improve its anti-doping regime finished second in the medal after winning two golds on the final day. Ethiopian star Genzebe Dibaba successfully defended her 3,000m crown, a third consecutive gold medal at the world indoor championships after her victories in the 1,500m in 2012 and 3,000m two years ago in Sopot, Poland. Dibaba powered home around 50 meters clear of her nearest rival, compatriot Meseret Defar, clocking a time of 8min 47.43sec, with Shannon Rowbury of the United States taking bronze. Earlier, Dibabas compatriot Yomif Kejelcha won the mens 3,000m, coming home in 7:57.21 to deny Ryan Hill of the United States, who took silver. Kenyas Augustine Choge won bronze. Dibaba meanwhile frowned when asked about the drugs scourge swirling around track and field since revelations of systemic doping in Russia which led to the countrys suspension. Doping is not good news for our sport, doping is no good for athletes, said Dibaba, before reflecting on her win. Im so happy, its my third world indoor medal already. It was easy for me because the field was not that strong. Sundays action also confirmed the emergence of a rising star in track and field, with American teenager Vashti Cunningham taking gold in the womens high jump. Cunningham, still only 18, won gold with a leap of 1.96m ahead of Ruth Beitia of Spain in second place and Polands Kamila Licwinko in third. Cunningham the daughter of legendary Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham only competed in Portland after receiving a special invitation from track and fields governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).