The Finale: Bolt, Blake, some fast distances, and Merritt at Belgacom Ivo Van Damme Memorial (Brussels, Belgium), by Alfons Juck,

THE FINALE: BOLT, BLAKE, SOME FAST DISTANCES AND MERRITT

BRUSSELS (BEL): The final meet of 3rd Samsung Diamond League will not only decide about Diamond Trophy winners in remaining events but also see last races of the season for many top stars. Including Usain Bolt at 100 m and Yohan Blake at 200 m. Still world leads will be attacked in men 10 000 m, hurdles, possibly women triple and javelin. Sold out stadium (47 000) will specially wait for Borlee twins in the 400 m and Tia Hellebaut in the high jump. This should be again very special 36th edition of the Ivo Van Damme Memorial. Shaggy, Jamaican Party etc.

Event by event preview

Men

100 m: Bolt will end the season with the 100 m. He could also win the Diamond Race what will be for first time in his career. Has so far 32 legal sub 10. Other sub 10 rivals: Carter, Ashmeade, R. Bailey, possible new member of the sub 10 club could be Bailey-Cole.

200 m: This is non DL race, with Yohan Blake trying to make deja vu from last year (you remember this special 19.26). Against him Lemaitre, oly bronze winner Weir and newcomer Young.

400 m: Something for the crowd. Borlee twins in one race, possibly close to European record? They met in one race only twice this year, Jonathan was better in Monaco and Kevin at the Games. But Santos will fight for Diamond Race win.

1500 m: Superfield. All 3 oly medalists, then Chepseba, Kiplagat and Kiprop having sub 3:30 and Gebremdhin in shape. He will fight with Kiprop and Kiplagat for the Diamond Trophy.

10 000 m: The usual non DL Van Damme event. First sub 27 of the year expected. Debut of Isiah Koech, can come close to world junior record. Kenya in strong numbers, Ethiopia main player Imane Merga, Turkish Polat Kemboi can attack his own European U23 record from London Games.

Steeple: Kipsiele Koech lead is too big so he has the trophy already. But with returning B. Kipruto and other in-shape Kenyans this could be very fast.

110mH: Aries Merritt and his sub 13 usual quality. Can he this time dip more and attack the world record? He and Richardson still in Diamond Race fight.

Long jump: Without olympic medalists in-shape Menkov will fight possibly against Mokoena and Tomlinson for the Diamond. Young Morgunov can surprise them.

Discus: Kanter looks safe but Alekna still can go over him. Okoye is in shape as he showed in Zagreb.

Women

200 m: Top league missing, but Knight and Ch. Williams will fight for the Trophy.

800 m: Another superb duel Savinova vs. Jelimo, this time will also decided about Diamond Race. Savinova leads 4:2 their career head-to-head, this year they are 2:2.

5000 m: Kenyan battle for the Diamond. Vivian Cheruiyot against Mercy Cherono. Also in the race oly medalist Sally Kipyego.

400 mH: Spencer is confirmed for the Diamond. Hejnova is the only oly medalist competing. Walker in improved shape, Ouedraogo farewell.

HJ: Another emotional event for the fans with Tia. But Chicherova and Shkolina are in 2 meters shape, Lowe just need to compete to get the Trophy.

PV: Spiegelburg vs. Silva vs. Murer for the Diamond. Suhr and Isinbaeva already ended their season.

TJ: Two oly medalists for the Diamond trophy, Rypakova vs. Saladukha. This year they are 2:2, but overall 11:9 in favor of Rypakova. Still waiting for first 15 m of the season.

JT: Spotakova is clear for the Diamond, but top quality field with Viljoen, Abakumova and German oly medalists can bring first years 70+.