Canada's Camryn Rogers sets Diamond League hammer throw record

Canadian hammer thrower Camryn Rogers set a Diamond League record Saturday with a 77.76-metre heave at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore.

The reigning world champion finished ahead of her two American competitors.

DeAnna Price placed second with a throw of 76.74, while Brooke Andersen was third with a toss of 76.34. 

Saturday marks Rogers's third competition of the season. She placed third a week ago at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, site of her Canadian record and 2023 season best of 78.62.

Rogers achieved the 74.00 entry standard for this summer's Paris Olympics the day after the July 1, 2023 qualifying window opened with a winning throw of 76.95 at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational

She capped a nine-win season (12 events) with world championship gold in Budapest, Hungary, defeating Janee' Kassanavoid and fellow American Price. 

With the U.S. Olympic trials set for next month, world champion Sha'Carri Richardson underlined her claim as favourite for the women's 100m, exploding off the blocks to finish in 10.83.

Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred finished a tenth of a second slower with Briton Dina Asher-Smith third in 10.98.

Richardson's Jamaican rival Elaine Thompson-Herah, who completed a second successive Olympic sprint double in Tokyo, finished last in 11.30.

But the spotlight was on the battle between Richardson, the 2023 world champion, and Thompson-Herah, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in both the 100 and 200m.

Thompson-Herah faded at the Pre, finishing last in the field of nine. The charismatic Richardson, wearing her long hair tied back in a ponytail, muscled her way to the finish and dramatically pushed off the tape remnants.

After crouching for a moment while her time was announced, Richardson rose to give the crowd at Hayward field a smile and a wave. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia finished second in 10.93.

"I feel like I'm continuing to grow and develop into a mature young lady, a mature athlete, as well as a vessel that I am put on earth to continue to grow," Richardson said.

Richardson will get her shot at a spot on the U.S. team for Paris at the Olympic trials next month in Eugene. She was denied a chance to run in the Tokyo Games because of a positive drug test for marijuana following her first-place finish in the 100 at the trials.