Middle Streckler Robert Farken broke the almost 45-year-old German record over 1500 m at the Diamond League meeting in Rome.
The Leipziger remained almost a second under the previous record by Thomas Wessinghage (3: 31.58) of August 27, 1980 at his season start in 3: 30.80 minutes.
This was the oldest still existing German men’s record on an Olympic running distance.
Farken prevents its own previous record by 1.3 seconds, as fourth he missed the podium in the Olympic Stadium by only 0.06 seconds. The 1500-meter specialist had already met the direct standard (3: 33.00) for the World Cup in Tokyo (13th to 21st September) last year. The victory went to the Frenchman Azzedine Habz (3: 29.72).
Without the hoped -for podium, the German discus launchers also stayed with the meeting, which was also known as “Golden Gala” in the Stadio Olimpico. Marike Steinacker (Leverkusen) was seventh with her season best of 64.78 m, the former Olympic second Kristin Pudenz (Potsdam/64.12). Olympic champion Valarie Allman (USA), who provided a meeting record at 69.21 m, was once again.