The Roma Golden League Track series sees a new World Record set in the pole vault by Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva.
Another 2 centimetre another dollar, the style is similar, yet the celebration is unique and brilliant.
The Golden League moved to the next level in Roma last night and the performances and competition followed suite.
Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva moved her own World Record in the pole vault up to 5.03 from 5.01 for her 22nd World Record and stayed on course to emulate the record manner of the great jumper Sergei Bubka.
The closest event finish of the evening was undoubtedly the 400m match-up between USA compatriots, Jeremy Wariner and LeShawn Merrit. Merritt had got the better of Wariner less than a week before in the US trials and was beginning to get himself into a position to in some way to do a 'mind number' on Wariner before the Olympics when he took the lead inch by inch as they edged towards the finish line, at first glance people were led to believe that Merritt had won however in some incredible way Wariner had dipped to take the victory by the most slender of margins and keep his cause alive. The cause being to win Gold in Beijing.
Another athlete to stay on the Jackpot track was Kenya 's new 800m sensation Pamela Jelimo who scarpered away from the field in her usual confident self to register another phenomenal 1.55.69 with 2007 World Champion compatriot, Janeth Jepkosgei, 2nd in 1:58.74. Such was the quality of the race that Jepkosge's 1:58.74 was mase to look pedestrian and the remarkable feat of the entire field running sub 2minutes, that surely must be a record of sorts?
High jumper Blanka Vlasic stuck to her winning ways and ensured she stayed in the Jackpot hunt with her flawless series of jumps to win with 2 meters, the only one the field to do so.
Kenya's Asbel Kiprop won the 1500m going away, and in a PB of 3:31.64, from a field where France's Mehdi Baala looked set to take the win in the final 100m only to be relegated to 4th from 2nd over the last 30m. One person who must feel happy was Canada 's Nate Brannen who surely has secured his ticket to Beijing with his finishing time of 3:34.65.
In the Men's 800m South Africa's Mbulaeni Mulaudzi had made all the right moves and looked to be on his way to victory but that was until Morocco's
Amine Laalou came with a late burst to take victory in a time of 1:44.27.
The year's World Leader at the distance and new Men's sensation, Sudan's Abubaker Kaki Khamis, was busy winning the World Junior title in Poland to add to his World Senior Indoor 800m title won earlier in Spain this year, only the Beijing Olympics beckons for this young raw talent.
Kenyan Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the 3000m SteepleChase in 8:15.71 however sadly the only major news in this event was the announcement of the failing in the A sample of a dope test for the Netherland's Simon Vroeman who had announced his positive test. We shall certainly be discussing this more in the future once we hear more. Sadly.
Finland's European Champiuon of 2007, Jukka Keskisalo, made an appearance to finish in 6th place and it shall be interesting to map his progress in Beijing where he is sure to come up against Sweden's Mustafa Mohamed for the crown of Best Steepler of Europe.
The women's 5000m did not register anything exciting or unexpected when Ethiopia's World Record holder in the distance, Tirunesh Dibaba, galloped to an effortless victory in 14:36.58.
What was of interest for New Zealand was the new National Record of Kimberley Smith with a time of 14:45.93. Smith certainly is having a season of records.
In the men's equivalent, Sileshi Sihine got a valuable victory over compatriot Bekele and Kenya's Eluid Kipchoge with a winning time of 13:04.94, achieved with a devastating kick. The only aspect of the victory was that the win came over Tariku Bekele and not Kenenisa. 
That's our wrap up of the events of the evening and till the yonder
Take care
TheEd
