Shaunae Miller cruises to win in the 400 at the London Muller Anniversary Games in London, England.
Shaunae Miller gave track and field fans around the world a preview of her conditioning headed into the Rio Olympics yesterday afternoon, easily winning the women's 400-meter (m) dash at the London Muller Anniversary Games in London, England. Miller powered through the finish line in a personal best and world-leading 49.55 seconds. Jamaica's Stephenie-Ann McPherson took the second spot in 50.40 seconds, while Americans Natasha Hastings and Francena McCocory were third and fourth in 50.49 and 50.73 seconds respectively.
With only two 400m Diamond Races remaining, Miller currently sits atop the point standings with 30. McPherson is in second with 25 points and Hastings is third with 18 points.
The Diamond League meets again on August 25 in Lausanne, Switzerland for the Athletissima meet.
Prior to yesterday, Miller's last taste of Diamond League action in the 400 was in May at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond league Meet in Eugene, Oregon. In Eugene, Miller cruised to victory in 50.15 seconds. In the race, American World Champion from a year ago, Allyson Felix, was a late pull up due to a right ankle sprain. Francena McCorory, of the United States finished second behind Miller, in 50.23 seconds followed by Natasha Hastings in third in 50.86 seconds.
Miller is the only Bahamian to qualify in three events for the 2016 Olympics, set for August 5-21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has run qualifying times in the 100 (11.19 seconds), 200 (22.05 seconds) and 400m (49.67 seconds). However, she has elected to focus solely on the 400 for this Olympics. Although she only intends to run the 400 individually, she'll be a key part of the women's 4x400m relay team that will represent The Bahamas in Rio.
The team qualified this month at the Blue Marlin Invitational in New Providence. The six-woman relay pool consists of Miller, Carmeisha Cox, Lanece Clarke, Christine Amertil and Shaquania Dorsett.
Randy Smith, Guardian Sports Reporter
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