The athletes dazzle in Doha at the 59th Diamond League run on Rekortan/Polytan
Kenneth Bednarek blasts the 200m in 19.67
The Diamond League event in Doha is one of the most prestigious, and with a total of 131 records, one of the fastest Diamond League events.
Over the years it has featured many Diamond League and world-leading performances, including Sha'Carri RICHARDSON (USA) running 10.76 for the 100m in 2023 and Allyson FELIX (USA) running the 200m in 21.98 in 2015.
In 2024, the athletes kept up this fine tradition.
Doha Diamond League: Speed and endurance shine bright
The Qatar Sports Club, home to the Diamond League in Doha since 2010, buzzed with excitement for the Seashore Group Doha Meeting from 11–12 May. Athletes and fans alike celebrated the return to the Rekortan PUR 15mm track, an Olympic-quality, high-speed synthetic surface known for its superb acceleration and shock absorption.
New standards in the 200m
In the men's 200m, Kenneth BEDNAREK (USA) delivered with a world-leading 19.67 seconds. His training partner Courtney LINDSEY followed with 20.01, with Kyree KING rounding out a 1-2-3 finish for the USA in 20.21. Bednarek’s time was quicker than he ran to claim silver at Tokyo 2020 and places him 14th on the all-time fastest 200m runners list.
“Athletes and fans alike celebrated the return to the Rekortan PUR 15mm track, an Olympic-quality, high-speed synthetic surface known for its superb acceleration and shock absorption.”
Alison dos Santos dominates the 400m hurdles
One of the standout performances of the night came from Alison DOS SANTOS (BRA) in the men's 400m hurdles. Dos Santos, the 2022 world champion and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, clocked a world-leading 46.86 seconds, breaking his own meet record.
Beatrice Chebet shines in the women's 5000m
Beatrice CHEBET (KEN) stole the show in the women's 5000m, crossing the finish line in 14:26.98, a time that smashed the previous world lead. The Ethiopian duo of Ejgayehu TAYE and Medina EISA finished closely behind.
Nail-biting finish in the men's 3000m steeplechase
The men's 3000m steeplechase had the crowd roaring, with Ethiopia's Samuel FIREWU taking victory in a world-leading and personal-best time of 8:07.25. The race's final moments were a testament to the drama and excitement that Diamond League meets consistently bring out in athletes. Abraham KIBIWOT (KEN) narrowly missed first place, finishing in 8:07.38, with Getnet WALE (ETH) in third, both recording season's bests.
“Dos Santos, the 2022 world champion and Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, clocked a world-leading 46.86 seconds, breaking his own meet record.”
Season’s best performances clocked in the women’s 800m and 100m hurdles
The night was filled with other great moments, including Mary MORAA (KEN) in the women's 800m, clocking a season's best of 1:57.91, proving her dominance from start to finish, while Daryll NEITA (GBR) won the women's 100m, continuing a strong season with a time of 10.98 seconds. Ditaji KAMBUNDJI (SUI) claimed gold in the women's 100m hurdles, securing victory in a season's best 12.49 seconds.
Rekortan continues its Diamond League dominance
As Doha demonstrates, Rekortan tracks continue to play a pivotal role in delivering world-class performances, with high-performance surfaces providing the perfect conditions for athletes to excel.
In a sport where every millisecond counts, Rekortan is proud to supply not only the most World Athletics-certified tracks, but to have provided the most surfaces for Diamond League events and venues. Track and field has run on Rekortan since 1969.