One year before the 2024 Olympic Games, the two East African cross-country skiers sent their first athletic thrill to the French capital. They ignited the blue track of a boiling Charléty stadium (filled with about 18,000 people) before hoping to shine on the purple tartan of the huge Stade de France next year.

After a breathtaking mano à mano with Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey, former record holder (14:06.62 in 2020), Kipyegon flew away with a final supersonic lap to cut the line in 14 min 05 sec 20.

"It's like a dream. I don't know how to say it, I'm so happy. To be honest, I didn't think I'd run so fast today, it's unbelievable," said the mixed zone champion.

Training partner of the king of the marathon Eliud Kipchoge, the little Kenyan (1.57 m) has just managed the feat of breaking two records in two different disciplines in one week, after having managed 3 min 49 sec 11 last Friday in Florence (Italy) on 1,500 m.

A two-time Olympic and two-time world champion in the 1,500m, her specialty for several years, Kipyegon had not finished 5,000m in eight years, and had never done better than 14:31.95.

"That was my plan"

An hour later, Girma managed a crazy ride, far ahead of the "wavelight" light signal that gave her the pace at the edge of the track, to finish her 3,000m steeplechase in 7 min 52 sec 12.

The Olympic vice-champion and vice-world champion of the specialty erased the mark of Qatari Saif Saaeed Shaheen (7:53.63), which had held since 2004.

"I feel happy and very proud. I felt so fast, confident. The record is not a surprise, it was my plan to beat it tonight. This is the result of my determination," he said.

These two records were preceded by the best performance in the history of the 2 mile (about 3.2 km), achieved by the cador Jakob Ingebrigtsen. In 7 min 54 sec 10, the 22-year-old Norwegian, Olympic champion of the 1,500 m exploded the time of Kenyan Daniel Komen (7:58.61 in 1997).

Ethiopian Lamecha Girma now world record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase, June 9, 2023 in Paris © Jeff PACHOUD / AFP

This discipline, very little contested, does not have an official world record according to the rules of World Athletics, the international federation.

Eagerly awaited, the queen of the 400m hurdles Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Olympic champion and world recordwoman) experienced the bitter taste of defeat.

The 23-year-old American had decided to test herself in the 400m at the beginning of the season, where her immense potential is still unknown. Half-surprise, she was beaten by a pure specialist, the Olympic vice-champion and vice-champion of the Dominican world Marileidy Paulino.

After a super fast start, McLaughlin-Levrone (23) stuck at the end of the race, conceding defeat to his rival, victorious in 49 sec 12. McLaughlin-levrone finished 2nd in 49.71 seconds, still beating his personal best (50.07) dating back to 2018.

"Claiming a medal"

On the straight, Italian Marcell Jacobs experienced similar disappointment.

After two forfeits in recent weeks in Rabat and Florence due to back problems, the Olympic champion of the 100m has finally made his return to 2023.

But he was quickly overwhelmed by bleeding rivals, finishing only 7th in 10.21 sec (wind -0.9 m/s).

U.S. 200m world champion Noah Lyles won in 9.97 seconds ahead of Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala (9.98).

France's Just Kwaou-Mathey (left) finishes runner-up to American Grant Holloway in the 110m hurdles in Paris, June 9, 2023 © Jeff PACHOUD / AFP

On the French side, the performance of the evening came from the leaping Just Kwaou-Mathey.

Behind the American world champion Grant Holloway (12.98, best world performance of the season), the bronze medallist of the last Euro ran his 110m hurdles in 13.09 seconds against the wind (-0.5 m/s).

Only Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (12.95) and Ladji Doucouré (12.97) had already been faster among the French hurdlers, Garfield Darien having managed 13 sec 09 too.

"I know what I'm worth, I hope I can claim a (world) medal. I was expecting a good race, I felt good in the warm-up. I'm really happy with my race. 13 sec 09 is impressive, it's the time I wanted. Second place is very important. There are still a lot of things to work on, I'm only at the beginning of my career," the 23-year-old said.

© 2023 AFP