The 2nd IAAF World Athletics Final was held at the Stade Louis II, in Monte Carlo, Monaco on September 18, and September 19, 2004.
The hammer throw event for men and women had to take place in Szombathely, Hungary a week previous as the Monaco stadium was not large enough to hold the event.
One of the main highlights was the World record in the Men's 3,000 m Steeplechase. This was set by Saif Saeed Shaheen of Qatar, (who was formerly Stephen Cherono of Kenya) despite the fact that the field had been held up by Wesley Kiprotich clattering into the first barrier. Shaheen had been unable to compete in the recent 2004 Summer Olympics due to his change of nationality but went someway to make up for that with a fantastic run in 7:53.63 to retain his title.
Another highlight was the men's pole vault competition where Timothy Mack cleared 6.01m to join the exclusive 6 metres club.
Famous quotes containing the words world and/or final:
“...the world did not know God through wisdom...”
—Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 1:21.
“I’ll give you my answer calmly and sensibly, my final answer. My final answer is finally no. The answer is no! Absolutely and finally no! Finally and positively no! No! No! No! N - O!”
—Abraham Polonsky (b. 1910)