Australia's Hull races to world record in rarely-contested 2,000m

MONACO :Jessica Hull of Australia blazed to a world record in the women's 2,000 metres at the Monaco Diamond League meet on Friday, making a stunning statement ahead of the Paris Olympics as trackside fireworks exploded during her final powerful strides.

Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen ran a blistering last lap to shave a whopping three seconds off his own world-leading time and prove he is on pace to repeat as Olympic 1,500m champion, while Djamel Sedjati, in the 800m, and Quincy Hall, in the 400m, also clocked world-leading times.

The 27-year-old Hull ran five minutes 19.70 seconds in the rarely-contested 2,000m to obliterate the previous mark of 5:21.56 set by Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi in 2021, and credited the wave lights - fan-friendly green lights inside the track that keep pace with world records - for helping.

"It was incredible, when I was on my own in the last lap, everyone was cheering for me," she said. "I was just looking at the lights hoping that they don't catch me.

"It is amazing to be called a world record-holder now," she added. "I am running so fast now, because I have been healthy for four years and have a really strong body now."

Hull's first Diamond League victory comes four days after she shaved more than five seconds off her personal best in the 1,500 metres to finish second behind Kenya's Faith Kipyegon at the Paris Diamond League. Kipyegon clocked a world record in that race with Hull's time being fifth fastest ever.

Ingebrigtsen ran a sizzling 54.06 over the final 400m to cross in 3:26.73, breaking his own Norwegian and European records, setting up what could be a thrilling Olympic battle with British rival and reigning world champion Josh Kerr.

The 25-year-old Sedjati pulled away from the 800m