MONACO, France — World silver medallist Melissa Bishop is rounding into form at just the right time, racing to a Canadian record in the 800 metres on Friday.
The 28-year-old from Eganville, Ont., ran one minute 57.01 seconds to finish fifth at the Monaco Diamond League meet, squeaking under her previous record of 1:57.02 she set in finishing fourth at last summer’s Rio Olympics.
The fast time comes two weeks before the world championships open at London’s Olympic Stadium.
Canada’s sprint star Andre De Grasse didn’t fair as well in his final race before London. The 22-year-old from Markham, Ont., was only entered in the 4x100 relay, and he and teammates Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney, and Gavin Smellie were disqualified for a bad baton exchange. The final exchange between Rodney and anchor-runner De Grasse caused the disqualification.
China’s relay ran 38.19 seconds to win, beating beat a pair of American teams who crossed in 38.30 and 38.41.
Brandon McBride of Windsor, Ont., was second in the men’s 800 in a season’s best 1:44.41. Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir crossed first in 1:43.10.
Reigning world champion Shawn Barber was sixth in the pole vault. The 23-year-old from Toronto cleared a season’s best 5.72 metres. Poland’s Piotr Lisek jumped 5.82 for the victory.
South African Caster Semenya won the women’s 800 gold in 1:55.27, while Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi was second in 1:55.47, and American Ajee Wilson crossed third in 1:55.61.