2011 Bislett Games Event Review

Usain Bold has conquered in only 19,86 seconds the Bislett stadium in his preferred competition, 200 m; he has outrun Jaysume Saidy Ndure (NOR) and Mario Forsythe (JAM). Even more: With his casual, relaxed, charming and humorous appearance, he conquered Oslo and its inhabitants. 15.000 people watch him race at Bislett, and probably most of them were old or new fans of Usain Bolt.

“Lightning Bolt”, which is what he’s called, set a 2011 World Lead time in bad weather conditions and heavy rain. But it is well known that he is able to keep the focus especially then when things get rough. Bolt, we know, is tough. Not tough enough for the winter with its snow – “Oslo is the winter Capital of the World – uhh, this sounds not good!”

Not everybody was able to perform on his or her best level because of the adverse meteorological conditions. Anyhow, two more 2011 World Leads were established. Paul Kipsiele Koech (KEN) ran the 3000m Steeplechase in 8:01.83 an set also a new Meet record, dethroning Moses Kiptanui who possessed this record since 1995. The third 2011 World Lead was set by Halima Hachlaf in Women’s 800m in 1:58.27. In this race, World Champion Caster Semenya (RSA) finished third.

Beside Koech’s results, a second Meet record fell. Olympic Champion Valerie Adams (NZE) won Women’s Shot Put with 20.26m and improved the mark of Nunu Abashdize (UKR), set in 1985, by two centimetres.

Generally talking, the favourites played their role well. Estonia’s Gerd Kanter (Discus/65.14), US America’s Aries Merritt (110m hurdles/13.12), Kenya’s Asbel Kiprop (ExxonMobil Dream Mile/3:50,86), Cyprus’ Kyriakos Ioannou (High Jump/2.28), South Africa’s Khotso Godfrey Mokoena (Long Jump/8.08) wrote the story of this year’s meeting.

Amantle Montsho from Botswana (400m/50.10), Meseret Defar from Ethiopia (5000m/14:37.32) took home victories as Cuba’s Yargelis Savigne (Tripe Jump/14.81), Brazil’s Fabiana Murer (Pole Vault/4.60) and Czech Zuzana Hejnova (400m hurdles/54.38) did.

After years of struggles, Ivet Lalova is back on highest levels in the 100m flat. The Bulgarian won in 11.01 even with a missed start, but with a great exploit at the end.

Rain was the escort of the 2011 Bislett Games, Bolt provided the lightning – and Tero Pitkämäki a thunder which probably was also heard in his hometown Kuortane in Finland. Pitkämäki was the winner in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and runner-up in 2006, 2008 and 2010 behind Andreas Thorkildsen in Oslo. This year, the home-town hero was absent due to injury. But the competition wasn’t easy, and Pitkämäki finished only fifth. The winner was Matthias De Zordo from Germany with 83.94 metres.

The 2011 Bislett Games were even more than a First Class Track and Field meet. They hosted a rollerski show-competition between Petter Northug and Marcus Hellner, one of the two most prestigious and most decorated cross-country skier nowadays. Northug won the “Altea Cross Country Mile” in his typical style, with a strong sprint at the last hundred meters.

Before the race, Northug and Hellner had a little chat with Usain Bolt. “We didn’t talk a lot, they told me about snow and ski, but I don’t want to experience winter sport”, Bolt said. “It was great to meet Bolt, he’s certainly a role model. I may have been influenced by him – he’s one of the greatest people in sport, and I feel a little bit humble in comparison to him”, Northug said.

The 2011 Bislett Games are over. And you feel a little bit humble when you think on the great results in the last few hours, achieved by World finest Track and Field athlete; when you think at the history of the venue. It was indeed a memorable night.