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DIAMOND LEAGUE

ATHLETICS

Blake clocks historic time in Lausanne

Usain Bolt eased to victory in the 200m at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Thursday as Jamaican teammate Yohan Blake became the second fastest 100m performer of all time.

Blake clocks historic time in Lausanne
Photo: Erik van Leeuwen (File)

Usain Bolt, fresh from his second successive triple gold haul at the Olympics, took victory in 19.58sec, ahead of Dutch runner Churandy Martina and compatriot Nickel Ashmeade.

"I am definitely very pleased. It was a good run for the end of the season. I just wanted to have fun," said Bolt.

Earlier, Blake became the second fastest man over 100m when he clocked 9.69sec.

World champion Blake, who was silver medallist behind Bolt at the London Olympics, finished ahead of America's Tyson Gay in 9.83sec with Nesta Carter of Jamaica in 9.95sec.

Blake, 22, improved his previous personal best of 9.75sec to move into second place on the all-time performers list which he now shares with Gay who has also run 9.69sec.

Only Bolt — with 9.58sec and 9.63sec — has run faster.

"I am delighted," said Blake. "I have been sick all week with flu but I am glad I recovered. My coach (Glen Mills) had told me that I could run faster than 9.75sec, a lot faster."

Bolt said he always knew Blake would dominate Thursday's 100m.

"I saw him in training and I could tell he was going to run fast," said Bolt   

America's Carmelita Jeter edged the women's 100m, thrillingly turning the tables on Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica.

Fraser-Pryce had defeated Jeter in the final at the Games earlier this month, but she took victory on Thursday, dipping just at the right time at the line with both runners clocking 10.86sec.

"I always want to win and when you do it feels pretty good," said Jeter.

"It was just like the Olympic final, I had to fight to the finish because Shelly-Ann has had such a great season. She's a great starter and fantastic competitor.

"She always brings her A-game so you have to bring yours."

Jeter also reflected on the United States women's 4×100 metres relay win at the Olympics which shattered one of the longest-standing and most controversial world records.

The American quartet, anchored with a stunning final leg by Jeter, sliced more than half a second off the 27-year-old record set by the former East Germany in 1985.

"It was an epic moment. Everyone said it could not be done," said Jeter.

America's Jason Richardson won the 110m hurdles in 13.08sec in a race devalued by the disqualification of Olympic champion Aries Merritt for a false start.

Qatar's Moutaz Essa Barshim Ahmed, a bronze medallist at the Olympics, won the high jump, getting the better of Games gold medallist Ivan Ukhov.

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EMPLOYMENT

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier

Can you carry a tune? Are you a night owl? If so, this job posting in Switzerland may be up right up your (cobblestone) alley. Here’s how you can submit an application for this… very high position.

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier
The hat and coat are optional for the job. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

As far as unusual employment opportunities go, this one from Lausanne is — quite literally — tops.

The city, which employs one of Europe’s last remaining town criers, is looking for people to fill this position on part-time basis.

What’s a town crier?

In Lausanne’s case, it is a person who announces the hours every night between 10 pm and 2 am from the bell tower of the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, a landmark overlooking the roofs of the picturesque Old Town.

The workplace: Lausanne Cathedral. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

The person who will assume this position will continue a tradition that this city in the canton of Vaud has cherished since 1405.

These are the requirements for the job:

  • To watch over the city each night
  • Announce each hour on the hour between 10pm and 2am in a melodious voice (in French, but knowledge of foreign languages is a plus)
  • Be able to climb 53 stone steps to the cathedral’s bell tower
  • Not have a criminal record
  • No falling asleep on the job
  • Have a business apprenticeship certificate (we are not sure why)

This is 365-days-a-year job, but the new hire will share the position with other criers.

Interested? This is how you can apply.

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