Warholm wins 400m hurdles race hit by environmental protest in Stockholm

STOCKHOLM : Norway's Olympic champion Karsten Warholm won the men's 400 metres hurdles in a race that was hindered by a protest from environmentalists at a rain-hit Galan Diamond League meet on Sunday.

Three protesters from A22 Network, who interrupted the Swedish final of "Let's Dance" on TV4 last month, knelt on the track about 10 metres from the finish line, stretching a banner across six lanes, forcing most of the field to run through it.

Warholm, running out in lane eight, was not affected.

"It is permissible to protest, but this is not the way to do it," Warholm told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "It is disrespectful to those who are here to do a good job.

"I must honestly admit that I'm pissed off."

The 27-year-old double world champion, who slapped his thighs and let out a loud whoop during the introductions, ran blind in lane eight en route to a time of 47.57 seconds.

While he was a way off his world record of 45.94 set at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, two victories in two races bodes well for the World Athletics Championships scheduled for Aug. 19-27 in Budapest after an injury-riddled 2022 season.

It was not a day for records with the weather - driving rain for most of the night and a chilly 15 C - playing spoiler. The crowd at Stockholm Stadium huddled in red rain ponchos.

"I felt very good before the start but the conditions make it a little bit more challenging, but I felt I had to get in and got to post another good time, so I am very pleased," Warholm said. "I am 100 per cent exactly where I want to be."

Freweyni Hailu led a trio of Ethiopians in the top three spots in the women's 1,500m, surging into the lead with half a lap remaining to finish in 4:02.31.

"The victory is great but the competition was not ideal due to