A diameter sphere theorem for manifolds of positive Ricci curvature (Q1895762)

The author gives a short proof of the following theorem: Let \(n \geq 2\) and \(k \in \mathbb{R}\). Then there exists \(\varepsilon = \varepsilon(n,k) > 0\) so that any \(n\)-dimensional closed Riemannian manifold with sectional curvature \(\text{sec}_M \geq -k\), Ricci curvature \(\text{Ric}_M \geq n - i\) and diameter \(\text{diam}_M \geq \pi - \varepsilon\) is a twisted sphere. The proof uses the argument from \textit{K. Grove} and \textit{K. Shiohama} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 106, 201--211 (1977; Zbl 0341.53029)].