Road To The Final - Lausanne Diamond League Headlines

It was a thrilling night of IAAF Diamond League action at Athletissima in Lausanne on Thursday evening.

A number of athletes secured qualification for the Final, and records were tumbling left, right and centre.

Here's a summary of the top headlines.

Wayde van Niekerk eases to record

South African Wayde van Niekerk made his first Diamond League appearance of the season in Lausanne, and he made quite a splash, easing over the line in 43.62 and smashing the 400m Diamond League record.

The win gives him eight points and brings him to 9th place in the rankings, meaning a spot in the top eight and a place in the Final is within touching distance.

Kendricks and Wojciechowski deliver thrilling finale

The men's pole vault was the last event to finish in Lausanne, as Sam Kendricks, Pawel Wojciechowski and Renaud Lavillenie went the full distance in a brilliant battle.

After Lavillenie had bowed out at 5.87m, Kendricks and Wojciechowski both cleared 5.93m.

Kendricks took victory, but second place is a huge step for Wojciechowski, who is now fourth in the standings, with surely one foot in the final.

Lasitskene attempts world record

Mariya Lasitskene had already secured her place in the women's high jump final before this evening, but her dominance in the Diamond League continued in Lausanne, as she soared above her competitors to clear first 2.01m and then 2.06m.

Three attempts at the world record came to nothing, but Lasitskene will be happy with a Diamond League record.

Spanovic launches title defence successfully

Ivana Spanovic set out to defend the Diamond Trophy she won last season in her first Diamond League appearance of the season this evening, and she got off to a flying start, winning with a jump of 6.79m.

The win earns her eight points, and is a step towards the final, while top four finishes for Tianna Bartoletta and Daria Klishina mean that they have both secured their place in the final.

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