After almost a two-year wait, appetite for the return of the supremely successful Anniversary Games for a second edition in late July 2015 was palpable.
Transformation work to the London Stadium meant a 2014 event at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after a three-day 180,000-plus sell out in 2013 was not possible.
However, from the moment legend Usain Bolt was once again chauffeured around the track – this time on a MGB Roadster rather than a rocket – it was like the event had never been away.
Not even some ill-timed yet typical British summer rain could dampen the spirits of having world-class athletics back in the London Stadium on the first of another three-days.
Much like two years previous, Bolt lived up to his headline billing on the first night, twice running 9.87 seconds to dominate the 100m – celebrating in trademark style.
Fans who attended the opening night were given a real treat as within moments of each other not only did Bolt win again but so did the headline Brit Mo Farah, who was not yet then knighted.
Farah arguably bettered the Jamaican’s performance, winning the 3000m in a world lead and stadium record and even borrowed the lightning bolt pose during his own celebrations.
There were three British wins in total on the opening night – Zharnel Hughes in the 200m and Laura Weightman in the 1500m as well – before the second day’s crowd witnessed a special double.
The London Stadium has a habit of delivering magic in minutes and, on day two, Dina Asher-Smith and Shara Proctor both set British records no more than 120 seconds apart from each other in the 100m and long jump respectively.
Another record would fall in the pole vault. Postponed because of the weather the previous night, Frenchman Renauld Lavillenie set the competition alight with a meeting record 6.03m.
The best of the three-day event was arguably saved until last however as once again a standalone Paralympic schedule was put together. Also acting as the IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final, British duo Sophie Hahn and Georgie Hermitage set world records in the 100m and 400m respectively on the third day.
The first phase of ticket sales has now closed – tickets will be back on sale Spring 2023.
