Howard Walker (Jamaica Observer) writes about the performance of Jamaican racers at the IAAF Oslo Diamond League athletics meeting at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway. Yesterday, Stephenie-Ann McPherson (left in the photo above) won the women’s 400m in first places, while Novlene Williams-Mills was the third. [Also shown in the photo above are Australia’s Morgan Mitchell (center) and Great Britain’s Anyika Onuora.]

Jamaica’s Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Novlene Williams-Mills were first and third in the 400 metres respectively, while Elaine Thompson was once again upstaged by Dafne Schippers in the 200m at the Olso ExxonMobil Bislett Diamond League Games.

McPherson, running out of lane four, went past American Natasha Hastings coming into the straight and powered for a very good morale-boosting win in 51.04 seconds. Hastings, who withdrew from the Racers Grand Prix at the last minute, finished second in 51.38 seconds ahead of Jamaica’s veteran Williams-Mills in third with 51.66 seconds.

McPherson, who will now turn her attention to Jamaica’s senior championship, said it was ideal preparation towards Jamaica’s trials “I must admit I expected a bit faster time, but I executed well in last 100m,” said McPherson in flash quotes provided by meet organisers. “It was a good race, the right preparation before our trials, so it will be about execution in Kingston,” she added.

McPherson now jumps into a clear second in the Diamond race with 19 points after the completion of three of the seven races. Shaunae Miller of The Bahamas leads with 20 points with American Hastings third with 14 points. Williams-Mills is fourth with seven points.

Meanwhile, Elaine Thompson and Simone Facey finished second and fourth in the women’s 200m in 22.64 and 22.88 seconds, respectively. [. . .]

For full article, see http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Brilliant-McPherson-wins-400m-in-Oslo–Williams-Mills-third-_63532