Today's Diamond League meeting in Paris introduced six new world leads (seven if you include a tied world lead), and some of the fastest performances of all time—check out the highlights below!

Samba Becomes Second Man To Go Sub-47 In 400m Hurdles

In an absolutely spectacular effort to kick off the Paris Diamond League meeting, Abderrahman Samba became the second man to ever crack 47 seconds in the 400m hurdles. That mark sits just behind world record-holder Kevin Young's 46.78 from the 1992 Olympic Games. Samba's 46.98 is also a new world lead, besting Rai Benjamin's 47.02 from the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Read more about Samba's ridiculously fast race here.

"I told it even before, I want to become the fastest man in the world and I work hard to achieve it. It definitely did not feel like an under-47-second race today. I made a small mistake at the start, lost my balance on the first hurdle, so I did not expect to run so fast," Samba said. "But it feels great to be the second-fastest man in the history. The world record is getting close, but I just want to improve step by step and to run fast. I improved my technique since last year and who knows, maybe I can be one second faster next year. I am speechless now."

1. Abderrahman Samba, 46.98 (AR) (WL) (DLR) (MR) (PB)

2. Kyron McMaster, 47.54 (NR) (PB)

3. Karsten Warholm, 48.06

Caster Semenya Runs Fourth-Fastest 800m In World History

With lap times of 56.12 and 58.13, respectively, Caster Semenya once again handily dispatched a Grade-A field and inched closer to world-record territory with a finishing time of 1:54.25—a personal best, and the fourth-fastest time ever over 800 meters. 

"In Oslo, we were not very happy about the pace, so I said, 'No pace this time. See what you can get out of it.' But 1.54.25... I did not expect that. I was thinking 1.54.99 could be possible, but this was great," Semenya said. "I am not a very emotional person and I was always about chasing records. This season is about trying good things, new challenges and to see what you are capable of... I am just a human, and if you want to be an inspiration to the world and to the youth, you cannot focus on negative things. With the help of God, you can do big things."

As her future in international athletics continues to hang in the balance with the IAAF's commitment to keeping her from racing, Semenya seems to have cast aside any reservations she might have had about showing the world how fast she can truly be. Now, Semenya's PR is tantalizingly close to Jarmila Kratochvílová's 1:53.28 world record from 1983, and people should start viewing each of Semenya's races as another opportunity for her to take down that mark.

"I am a woman, and I am fast.”

Another race, another win for Caster Semenya. 1:54.25, #4 all-time in world history pic.twitter.com/6XRWErQsZO

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Caster Semenya, 1:54.25 (WL) (DLR) (MR) (NR) (PB)

2. Francine Niyonsaba, 1:55.86 (SB)

3. Ajee Wilson, 1:57.11

Timothy Cheruiyot Storms To Win, New 1500m World Lead With Late Kick

The 2017 Diamond League champion seems almost untouchable this season back on the circuit—he's won each of the four times he's stepped onto the track, and today, he made a statement by lowering his own world lead of 3:29.71. 

It wasn't a close race at the end—Cheruiyot closed hard in 53.66 to stamp out runner-up Ayanleh Souleiman, who finished in 3:31.77, by two seconds. 

"This season, my main target is to win Diamond League again and to train hard for the world championships next year which I want to win," said Cheruiyot. "This was an important victory for me, I like Paris a lot."

Timothy Cheruiyot runs the third world lead of the day at #ParisDL! 3:29.71 FTW pic.twitter.com/SrDR88zNqH

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Timothy Cheruiyot, 3:29.71 (WL)

2. Ayanleh Souleiman, 3:31.77 (SB)

3. Simotwo Charles Cheboi, 3:32.61 (SB)

Finally, The First Sub-9-Minute Steeple Of The Year!

Beatrice Chepkoech led a Kenyan sweep of the top four spots in the women's 3000m steeplechase today with a 8:59.36 performance. It was her first time breaking the nine-minute barrier, and the first sub-nine-minute race in 2018. 

"I am very grateful for this result. My main goal is to try to break the world record in Monaco," Chepkoech said. "Now, I feel I still have some space to improve and can think about it. Maybe the next season and 2020 will become my years when I can expect something big. I competed with these girls already in Rome, but I was not feeling OK. Now, I felt relaxed and had enough energy."

✅ Sub-9 3000mSC (first in 2018)
✅ World lead
✅ Personal best
✅ #ParisDL win pic.twitter.com/8Pn51SLtTA

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Beatrice Chepkoech, 8:59.36 (WL) (PB)

2. Celliphine Chepteek Chespol, 9:01.82 (SB)

3. Hyvin Kiyeng, 9:03.86 (SB)

After Second Place At USAs, Ronnie Baker Ties 100m World Lead

Less than a week after he was handed defeat by Noah Lyles in the USATF Outdoor Championships, Ronnie Baker tied the world-leading mark set by the 19-year-old U.S. champion today in Paris. Now, they share 2018's fastest 100m mark, which will add intrigue to the ongoing Diamond League battle as Baker and Lyles continue to face off during the circuit. 

"I am not surprised by this time," Baker said. "The execution was not perfect, and I think if I work on the beginning of the race, it can be even faster. I knew it already from practice that I was ready to go even faster. And I love the atmosphere of the packed stadiums, so the crowds really pushed us to the finish. This World Cup atmosphere is visible everywhere. I heard some screaming in the lobby when France was playing today. Generally, I am super excited. Next time I step out on the track, it can be the next PB."

Hometown favorite Jimmy Vicaut put together a fine race as well, finishing second to Baker in 9.91 while Bingtian Su of China took a close third.

And just like that, @ronnie_baker14 ties the WL set by @LylesNoah last week!

9.88! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/395Aa8Ejxe

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Ronnie Baker, 9.88 (=WL) (PB)

2. Jimmy Vicaut, 9.91 (SB)

3. Bingtian Su (=AR) (=PB)

Sam Kendricks Takes World Lead From Renaud Lavillenie On His Home Turf

In a series without any misses until the height he went out on, the 2017 world champion reset Renaud Lavillenie's world lead as the only vaulter to clear 5.96m. Lavillenie's former world lead of 5.95m, set at the Texas Relays while in competition with Kendricks, stood since April. 

"The 5.96 was definitely my peak of the day. In the last three attempts at 6.05... I injured the skin at my fingers, and it was quite painful, but it is a part of this sport," Kendricks said. "To beat Renaud in front of his home crowd, I think he understands the game. When he comes to Eugene, he also beats me at my home meet and he even holds the meet record there. Here, it is Sergey Bubka, not even me. We are all friends and we try to push each other to go higher."

Mondo Duplantis also competed well, and finished ahead of Lavillenie to take second with a height of 5.90m.

World-leading 5.96m for @samkendricks!

Mondo Duplantis finishes runner-up with 5.90m #ParisDL pic.twitter.com/V7ToIK373G

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Sam Kendricks, 5.96m (WL)

2. Armand Duplantis, 5.90m 

3. Renaud Lavillenie, 5.84m

USC Goes 1-2 In Men's 200m 

Sporting their red and gold Trojans uniforms, Michael Norman and Rai Benjamin finished first and second in the open 200m with personal bests of 19.84 and 19.99, respectively. Norman's mark ranks him No. 4 in the world this year, and Benjamin's ties him at No. 10. 

"It is just great experience to be here," Norman said. "The competition, the atmosphere, the track, the crowds... Paris is just amazing place. It puts us to the best of our abilities. It was great to experience something big together with Rai who is my teammate and training partner. Now, the main target is to stay healthy."

19.84 PB for @Mike_Norman22 and 19.99 PB for @_Kingben_ ! USC teammates go 1-2 ? pic.twitter.com/vkEYAgvsEW

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) June 30, 2018

1. Michael Norman, 19.84 (PB)

2. Rai Benjamin, 19.99 (PB)

3. Alex Quinonez, 20.08