The Bauhaus Galan in Stockholm was the sixth stop on the 2018 Diamond League circuit, featuring the less-frequently run 1000m event that still counted as one of the men’s official 800m Diamond League point races. Trailing pace setter Bram Som who passed 400m in 52.62, Ferguson Rotich Cheruiyot assumed the lead on the second lap. After reaching the 800m mark in 1:48.76, Rotich’s final 200m split of 26.12 separated him from the rest of the field in convincing fashion and he crossed the finish line in a new ’18 world-leading time of 2:14.88, well clear of runner-up Sadik Mikhou (2:16.09). Rotich’s time was also a new personal best by 2 seconds and the fastest 1000m clocking in the world since the 2016 season. With his victory in Stockholm, 2nd place in Rome, and 5th place in Doha, Rotich now leads the ’18 DL 800m points race (19 points), with remaining qualifying races in London and Birmingham, before the final in Brussels on 31. August. Also competing in the Stockholm 1000m were Kipyegon Bett (6th in 2:16.98) and Alfred Kipketer (8th in personal best 2:17.40).
Other noteworthy track circuit performances by Personae-managed athletes in early June included Davis Kiplangat – 1st in Maia/Porto 10000m (27:51.20 personal best); Dominic Kiptarus – 1st in Oslo Diamond League 10000m (28:05.34 personal best); Nicholas Bett – 1st in Anhalt Dessau 3000m SC (8:13.18); Celliphine Chespol – 2nd in Rome Diamond League 3000m SC (9:05.14); and Eva Cherono – 1st in Leiden 10000m (32:34.03 personal best) and 5th in Turku 3000m (8:41.69 personal best).