The first European Diamond League meeting did not fail to disappoint as world leads were set in numerous events from the women’s 1500m to the men’s 5K at the Golden Gala in Rome. 

 

In a stunning kick to the finish, Jenny Simpson solidified her spot as the world leader in the 1500m, clocking 3:59.31 against previous world leader Dawit Seyaum. Simpson was sitting in fourth-place heading into the final turn when she flipped the switch on Sifan Hassan, Seyaum, and Laura Muir. 
 

What is even more impressive is that Simpson was traveling from winning the Pre Classic 1500m just five days earlier in a then-season’s best mark of 4:00.98, again with a hard kick to the finish. 

 

Comparing results from June 2014, Simpson is right on track for a stellar season. At the 2014 Pre Classic, Simpson clocked a 3:58 in the 1500m for a then-personal best and followed the performance with a 4:02 at the adidas Grand Prix. 2015 is looking just as strong for Simpson who also ran 2:00 in the 800m at the Hoka One One Classic three weeks ago. 

 

Justin Gatlin continued his reign as the world leader in the 100m after blazing his way to a 9.75 for the win. The 33-year-old sprinter was just .01 off of his world-leading mark of 9.74 from Doha, a personal best for the 2004 Olympic Champion. The mark also shattered the Golden Gala meet record. 

9.75 for @justingatlin, beating @usainbolt's meet record at #RomeDL! WATCH: http://t.co/UsO8tV991y pic.twitter.com/G2VIin5A73

— Universal Sports (@universalsports) June 4, 2015

Gatlin was followed by French sprinter Jimmy Vicaut who clocked a season’s best 9.98, and Michael Rodgers who finished third in 9.98. 

 

The men’s 5K was a standout performance from 17-year-old Yomif Kejelcha who blasted a 54.55 last lap for a world leading time of 12:58. 

Flying 54.55 last lap in men's 5000m- Yomif Kejelcha wins in WL 12.58!! 2nd placed Tanui flew down that final 50m!! pic.twitter.com/BxkIoBIkpA

— SPIKES (@spikesmag) June 4, 2015

The Ethiopian was just five days away from his dominating win at the Pre Classic in a then-world leading mark and world junior record time of 13:10. The young distance runner’s progression over the past two years is even more impressive. At 16 years old, Kejelcha clocked a then-world youth leading time of 13:25.19 in the 5K at last year’s Pre Classic. He returned to the 12.5-lap distance May 30, 2015 with a furious kick to the finish in 13:10 over Edwin Soi who ran a season’s best mark 13:11. 

 

The women’s 100m hurdles was an all-out war as 2012 Olympic Champion Sally Pearson and 2013 World Champ Brianna Rollins suffered from bad falls, and world leader Jasmin Stowers clipped hurdle seven. Without the favorites in contention, Sharika Nelvis took home her first 2015 Diamond League win in 12.52, a new personal best for the former Arkansas State NCAA Champion. The time currently puts Nelvis No. 3 in the world behind Stowers and Kendra Harrison. 

THAT WAS WAR! Some big falls in the women's 100m hurdles but Sharika Nelvis stays standing and wins in 12.52! pic.twitter.com/LoAJjfb5de

— SPIKES (@spikesmag) June 4, 2015

A world lead was set in the men’s 800m as three-time World Champion Mohammed Aman clocked 1:43.56 for the win over Olympic Silver medalist Nigel Amos (1:43.80). 10 out of the 11 runners entered in the field earned season’s best in the race, all running under 1:45.50. 

SB's all around and a WL for Aman in the 800m. pic.twitter.com/SxPsBE4ysI

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 4, 2015

The next Diamond League meeting will take place Sunday June 7 at Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix.