This is Stuart Weir’s first creation on Silesia Dl in Chorzów, Poland on August 25, 2024.
Highlights of Silesia
The Silesian Stadium in Khorzów, Poland is a magnificent stadium with a capacity of 50,000. I’ve only been there for the European Team Championships, which attracted a small crowd. It’s a difficult city to get to with the nearest international airport, Krakow, about 50 miles away. It didn’t help my mood that my flight was delayed that I booked in advance the taxi refused, that the airport taxi charged double the price of the pre-booked taxi, and that the taxi could not be found my hotel! My arrival at the 2023 European Team Championships in Chortsov was smooth sailing. The stadium and atmosphere of the 2024 Diamond League looked great and the quality of the action did not disappoint.
The two world records were highlights, but it was a top-notch program from start to finish. A: Mondo Duplantis’ 6.26 pole vault added 1cm to his existing world record. Then he said: “It almost feels weird and unnatural to get so much love and support from the crowd when I compete. I see it especially in Poland. The energy in this stadium just gets better every year. My first world record was also set in Poland, inside Torun, so I have great memories. The track here is great. the conditions were perfect today and everything allowed me to do it. I know a lot of people came here to see me jump, so I wanted to put on a good show for them.”
Jakob Ingebrigtsen also set a new world record of 7:17.55 in the 3000m. I know it’s not a championship distance, but Jacob’s ability to produce world-class race after race at any distance is remarkable.
Joe Kovacs suffered a rare knockout loss to Ryan Kruse From 22.14 to 22.12. I once asked Joe about being coached by his wife. He assured me that it went well. “I just do what my wife tells me. It makes my life easier.” He won’t make much money, though, and Joe told me there’s a tradition among shooters that everyone buys a kebab afterwards and the winner pays.
Gianmarco Tamberi won the high jump in 2.31 and interacted with the crowd as best he could. What a pity he wasn’t quite suited to Paris.
Femke Boll won the 400 h and Marilady Paulino won the 400 flat. Souflia El Bakkali edged out Amos Serem in the sprint, but both finished in 8:04.29. Marco Arop won the 800 in 1:41.86 from Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
