Record-Breaking Mile Attempt
London Diamond League Returns with Josh Kerr's Mile World Record Attempt and Top Athletes
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Josh Kerr will attempt to break one of athletics' most famous records at the London Diamond League this weekend. The Scottish middle-distance runner is chasing the mile world record of 3:43.13, a mark set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1999 — a record that has stood for 26 years, according to The Independent.
The meet also features world-class sprinters, hurdlers, and 800m runners. Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith headline the British contingent, while Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred adds global star power, Yahoo Sports reports.
Kerr's Shot at a 26-Year-Old Mile Record
El Guerrouj's 3:43.13 has survived every challenge since Rome 1999. Kerr, the reigning Olympic 1500m silver medalist, believes conditions at London Stadium give him a genuine shot. Pacemakers will be set to pull the field through at record pace, The Independent reports.
Kerr ran 3:45.34 to win Olympic silver in Paris last year — just over two seconds off the world record. Closing that gap in a single race would be a huge ask. But mile world record attempts with elite pacing setups have come close before, and the London crowd could provide a boost.
Hodgkinson Chasing First 800m Win of the Season
Keely Hodgkinson, Olympic 800m champion, heads into London without a win in the event this season. The 22-year-old has had a difficult start to the year and is keen to find her best form, according to Yahoo News UK.
Georgia Hunter-Bell has pulled out of the 800m field due to illness, weakening the British challenge. However, the event remains stacked. Femke Broekers-Bol and Tsige Duguma — both medal contenders at global championships — will push Hodgkinson hard throughout, Yahoo News UK reports.
Alfred, Thomas, and Asher-Smith Light Up the Sprints
Julien Alfred, the 100m Olympic champion from St. Lucia, is among the biggest names in the sprint lineup. Gabby Thomas, the 200m Olympic champion, is also set to race. Both athletes are in strong form heading into the summer's major championships, Yahoo Sports notes.
British sprint star Dina Asher-Smith returns to her home crowd at London Stadium. Asher-Smith is a fan favourite and consistently performs well in front of a home crowd. Her race will be one of the most watched events of the day.
How to Watch: BBC One Carries Live Coverage from 1pm
UK viewers can watch every event live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Coverage begins at 1pm BST. The BBC holds UK television rights to every Diamond League meeting this season, Yahoo News Canada confirms.
The Diamond League is the top tier of one-day track and field competition worldwide. London is one of its most prestigious stops. Athletes use it to chase personal bests, world records, and ranking points ahead of the World Athletics Championships later this year.
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