Many of the leading athletesfrom the recent Euro Champs return to Zurich for the prestigious Weltklassemeeting on Thursday evening. This time they faced the cream from the rest ofthe World in what many call the "mini Olympics". There was no UsainBolt but many other stars graced the Letzigrund Stadium as the Diamond Leagueapproached its climax. InBolt's absence, his compatriots Bailey-Cole and former world record holder,Osafa Powell lined up in a classy 100m. America's Rodgers and Euro ChampDasaolu fared better than many of the bigger name opponents (including TysonGay) to take 2nd and 3rd,respectively, but it was Bailey-Cole who charged tovictory in 9.96 seconds, despite the slowest reaction time in the field.

GB's 200mEuro Champ, Adam Gemili had a promising run out at the lesser distance in fifth, aplace behind Powell. The200m was won in a swift 19.95 seconds by Alonso Edward who edged Nickel Ashmeade by a mere six hundredths.Double Euro silver medallist Lemaitre could only manage fourth. 

Double Euro champion Dafne Schipperswas beaten into fourth in the women’s 100m, as Campbell-Brown edged out Ahoure withCommonwealth Champ Okagbare back in third. Euro 100m hurdles championTiffany Porter was similarly well beaten in her event, as Harper-Nelson won in12.58 secs ahead of Olympic champ Pearson of Australia, with Porter settlingfor third. WorldRecord holder David Rudisha has not been at his best this season in the 800mand despite trying to come from the back instead of front running, he stillcould not catch Commonwealth champ Amos (1:43.77) in the final stages, slippingback to third as seven men went sub 1:45.

There were mixed results for some of the female Euro Champs’winners in the field events. Perkovic was a clear winner in the discus, but highjump champ Beitia was pushed back to third behind the silver and bronze medallistsfrom the Euros as Kuchina (pb of 2metres) and Simic took first and second thistime. Spanovic gained some revenge overher Euro conqueror Lesueur, who was disappointing in the long jump. The male Euro Champions found it hard to replicate theirsuccess on the night, with Storl second to American Hoffa in the shot put, Compaorebeing pipped to first by Christian Taylor’s final effort in the triple jump(17.51m to 17.45m, with Claye 3rd on 17.39m) and Rooney having tosettle for fourth being World Champion Lashawn Merritt’s swift 44.36secs in the400m. There was a surprise in the men’s javelin as Germany’s Rohlerunleashed 87.63m in the first round to win by nearly two metres from Walcottwith Pitkamaki third.

Rohler could only finish 12th at the recentEuros, but the formbook was upset as Euro winner Ruuskanen placed only sixthhere.

The Swiss held out hopes of a repeat victory for Euro Champand home favourite Hussein in the men’s 400m hurdles as he entered the homestraight, but he faded to 4th despite setting a new pb as Fredericksset a season’s best of 48.25 secs to pip Tinsley, with Culson third. In a desperate finishto the women’s 1500m, two Americans crashed to the ground as they battled forthe victory in a shade under four minutes, with Simpson being given the verdictover Rowbury by one hundredth of a second.

Hassan the Euro champ faded tofinish fourth. Thefinal event was set up to provide some Swiss delight, but the women's 4 x 100mrelay did not quite go to script, as GB's ladies set a new National Record towin ahead of strong Jamaican and US teams, with the Swiss team as in the Eurosfailing to finish.