At the season debut in Dessau on Friday, she finished seventh at 1.80 and at Sunday's Diamond League debut at Gateshead, she finished fourth at 1.88.

Ahead of this year's season, 28-year-old Lasitskene had 21 straight wins, both inside and out.

Although conditions in Gateshead were difficult with nine degrees, heavy rain and wind, the Russian, who has won the last three world championships, was not even close to finishing 1.91.

In addition, Lasitskene has lost in these two competitions against opponents who have not been near the Russian before.

Only recently got the go-ahead to compete internationally

Lasitskene has not commented after any of the competitions.

On her Instagram, she was expectant a couple of days ago.

Russian Sports-Express columnist Natalia Maryanchik points out that Lasitskene has both been affected by the international suspension from the International Athletics Federation and only recently received the go-ahead to compete as a neutral active this season with the Olympics as the highlight.

In addition, the pandemic has hit hard.

Last year, there were only two outdoor competitions in September.

"The results are of course alarming, but she improved by eight centimeters to the second competition and that in difficult conditions.

If the tendency to improve by eight centimeters persists, we will soon not have to worry, ”writes Maryanchik.

Winter's shooting star, the Ukrainian Jaroslava Mahuchikh, who managed 2.06 indoors, has also had a difficult start to the season.

She managed only 1.92 in Dessau and was beaten by compatriot Iryna Herashchenko who won at the same height.

Tjitjerova aims for a season debut in June

Mahuchikh went to Gateshead but ironed just before the start for unknown reasons.

The only Ukrainian participant to start was Julia Levchenko, 2.02 as a personal best.

She finished second last at 1.84.

Polish Kamila Licwinko won in 1.91.

At the same time, the Russian Anna Tjitjerova, the Olympic champion from 2012 and who subsequently lost the bronze from 2008 due to retested doping tests, announces that she will make her season debut in Moscow in early June. The 38-year-old who as recently as two years ago managed 2.00 has not had his international suspension lifted and is not allowed to compete as a neutral active.