Zurich (AFP)

Russian Mariya Lasitskene put on a big performance on Wednesday with the best high jump of the season (2.05m), on the first day of the Diamond League finals in downtown Zurich.

As every year, the organizers of the Weltklasse had decided to relocate a few events outside the Letzigrund, a legendary enclosure which will house the rest of the meeting as usual on Thursday with no less than 25 finals. A mini-stadium of 2,500 places was thus fitted out for the occasion on the "Sechseläutenplatz" on the shores of Lake Zurich with seven disciplines on the program (high jump women, weight men and women, length men and women, 5,000 m men. and women).

The competitions, located in the center and closer to the public, were particularly highlighted and it was Mariya Lasitskene who managed to heat up the atmosphere with a jump to 2.05 m in the high jump.

The Olympic and world champion beat the Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh (2.03 m), 3rd in the Olympics, and her runner-up in Tokyo Nicola McDermott (2.03 m).

At the weight, there was a little quack when the New Zealander Tomas Walsh broke the stopper of the throwing area, causing a quarter of an hour of interruption.

But this unforeseen break did not unduly distract King Ryan Crouser, the world record holder (23.37 m) and two-time Olympic champion retaining his unbeaten position since the Doha Worlds in 2019 (22.67 m).

The American Ryan Crouser, during the shot put competition, during the first day of the Diamond League finals, on September 8 in downtown Zurich Fabrice COFFRINI AFP

"The site was special and fantastic. You could feel the energy of the audience," said Ryan Crouser, obviously delighted to have had this original experience.

- Niyonsaba, safe bet -

On an improvised 563 m track bypassing the City Theater, Francine Niyonsaba, a hyperandrogenic Burundian athlete forced to abandon the 800 m by virtue of the regulations of the International Federation, was again imperial over 5,000 m (14 min 28 sec 98) in beating, as in Brussels on Friday, the double world gold medalist (2017, 2019) and Kenyan Olympic vice-champion Hellen Obiri (2nd in 14 min 29 sec 68).

Even if her time will not be approved due to the elevated bends of the course, Niyonsaba, who became the 5th performer in history over 3000 m on August 28 in Paris, is now established as a safe bet in the middle distance.

Burundian Francine Niyonsaba celebrates her victory in the 5000m, during the 1st day of the Diamond League, on September 8, 2021 in downtown Zurich STEFAN WERMUTH AFP

A more than notable reconversion for the silver medalist in the 800m at the Rio Olympics in 2016 while World Athletics prohibits athletes with "differences in sexual development" (DSD) and a high testosterone level to run internationally 400 m per mile unless you take a treatment.

However, the races suffered from the lack of visibility for the public, part of the track being placed behind the stands.

But not enough to shower Niyonsaba's enthusiasm.

"We all like to see the public cheering us on and being around us. It was incredible. Personally, I'm still learning the 5,000m but I love challenges and I have great determination," said the Burundian. .

© 2021 AFP