Jebet breaks world record to win women's 3,000 steeplechase


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PARIS (AP) — Olympic champion Ruth Jebet broke the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase world record by six seconds at the Diamond League meeting in Paris on Saturday

Meanwhile, Kendra Harrison won the 100 hurdles without beating her own record.

The 19-year-old Jebet, born in Kenya and running for Bahrain, clocked 8 minutes, 52.78 seconds at Stade de France.

The previous record was 8:58.81 by Gulnara Samitova-Galkina of Russia at the 2008 Beijing Games.

"I tried many times to beat the world record," Jebet said. "I was not expecting such a big difference with the record."

Jebet's performance was so dominant that she beat Diamond League rival Hyvin Kiyeng of Kenya by nearly 10 seconds, and Emma Coburn of the U.S. by almost 20.

Harrison won in 12.44 seconds ahead of American countrywoman Dawn Harper-Nelson (12.65).

"I felt allright even though I kicked a few hurdles, which made me a bit upset," Harrison said. "The start wasn't that great. Now I have a few days off, so I'm really looking forward to Zurich (on Thursday)."

Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers won the 200 in 22.13, and American Natasha Hastings won the 400 in 50.06.

Ben Youssef Meite of the Ivory Coast won the 100 in 9.96 seconds ahead of South African Akani Simbine and Dutchman Churandy Martina.

Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 meters, pulled out after feeling a twinge when warming up.

"I didn't feel well," Lemaitre said. "There's no point tempting the devil and getting injured."

Kenyan Nicholas Bett won the men's 400 hurdles ahead of American Kerron Clement, while Kenyan Alfred Kipketer won the 800 meters.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kenyan Yomif Kejelcha won the men's 3,000 in 7:28.19, the fastest time this year.

Olympic silver medalist Renaud Lavillenie of France won the pole vault with an effort of 5.93 meters, Czech Jakub Vadlejch won the javelin, and American Chris Carter won the triple jump in 16.92 meters, with Cuban Alexis Copello second in 16.90.

Tom Walsh of New Zealand just beat Ryan Crouser of the U.S., the Olympic champion, by one centimeter in the shot put.

Britain's Laura Muir set the leading time this year to win the 1,500 in 3:55.22.

"I couldn't believe the time, especially since I didn't do one track session since Rio," Muir said. "I knew I had to dig in and hold on during the third lap."

Serbian Ivana Spanovic won the long jump; Spaniard Ruth Beitia won the high jump, and Croatian Sandra Perkovic clinched the discus.

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