Richards remains in jackpot race with world best - Ohuruogu beaten

Jul 3, 2009, 19:20 GMT

   Oslo - Sanya Richards of the United States lowered her 2009 world best over 400 metres on Friday at the Bislett Games as she remained in the hunt for the Golden League 1-million dollar jackpot.

Richards posted 49.23 seconds, making her .34 of a second faster than in her victory at the Golden League opener on June 14 in Berlin.

Shericka Williams of Jamaica became the second women this year to dip below 50 seconds, clocking 49.98 seconds. World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu was no factor in sixth place in 51.19.

Athletes who win their event at all six stops of the elite series, the other meets being in Rome, Paris, Zurich and Brussels, are eligible for the 1 million dollar prize.

The jackpot dream of Antigua sprinter Daniel Bailey ended when the Berlin winner was beaten in a 100m photo finish by former world record holder Donovan Bailey on the finish line, with both timed in a modest 10.07 seconds.

Other stars set to compete in Oslo were Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic and Ethiopian distance runner Meseret Defar, the latter aiming for a third 5,000m world record in Oslo in as many years.

Defar set a world record in 2007 which was bettered last year at the same meet by world and Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba to 14 minutes 11.50 seconds. Dibaba was originally to run as well on Friday, but withdrew due to injury.

The early stages of the meet were interrupted by a thunder storm which led to a delay in the day's programme. But the skies soon cleared again on a warm evening.