IN MEN POLE VAULT ALL THREE OLYMPIC MEDALISTS

GOTEBORG (SWE, Feb 27): Little snow poured on Goteborg streets on Tuesday evening as on Wednesday most of the teams are to arrive to superb location where everything is connected in „Under the one roof” project. The hall, the warm-up area, the market square, the hotel accommodation for athletes, everything connected so you do not need to go outside. Ticket sales are also going in solid shape, specially Saturday and Sunday sessions with finals are of the biggest interest. This is our usual flash preview of each event based on information on Wednesday morning. Expected top duels in technical events like Lavillenie vs. Otto in men pole vault, or Trost vs. Hellebaut vs. Beitia in women high jump. Aregawi and Torneus are the two Swedish gold medal hopes. In total 10 olympic medalists from London will compete, the full podium from men pole vault (Lavillenie, Otto, Holzdeppe), silver winners from steeple (Mekhissi, runs the 1500 m) and shot put (Kolodko) and bronze holders Grabarz (high jump), Hejnova (400 m hurdles running the 400 m), Saladukha (triple), Ohuruogu (400 m, entered for the relay) and Ryemyen (4×100 m and she is entered for the 60 m).

EVENT BY EVENT PREVIEW

MEN

60 m: Vicaut  (happy birthday) looks to attack the top position, Tumi is fast but without foreign confrontation, Reus was fast last Saturday, will be Chambers and Rodriguez healthy enough?

400 m: Maslak wants to win, no one else has sub 45 credentials. Gregan and Trenikhin were also fast in the season.

800 m: Kszczot is the top favorite, but Lopez was also in good shape on the circuit and we have 3 high quality Brits.

1500 m: Lewandowski is debuting at this distance at big championships, Mekhissi gave the preference here over 3000 m and Ozbilen showed top shape at Balkan Champs. In slow race also Spanish trio will be dangerous.

3000 m: First gold for Azerbaijan? Depends how fast will be the race? If slow a bigger group will have the chances. What is the shape of Ingebrigtsen?

60 m Hurdles: Shubenkov is the obvious favorite, but Martinot-Lagarde could raise to the occasion. Other 5-6 could also dip sub 7.60.

High Jump: Dmitrik has the best shape so far, but Grabarz is the olympic medalist.

Pole Vault: One of the top duels Lavillenie vs. Otto, will we see six meters?

Long Jump: Sweden hopes here for gold (Torneus) but all depends on health of Menkov who was injured this winter. Strong duos from Greece and Germany.

Triple Jump: Looks like Oprea vs. Greco, but could be somebody from behind who will fit into the jumping surface which is unknown for everybody.

Shot Put: Very open here with two improved Czechs, Ivanov and experienced Bartels with Kolasinac and Sidorov.

Heptathlon: Sintnicolaas is clear on paper (actually only 97 points behind the European indoor record of Sebrle), but seven times something can happen.

4×400 m: Russia vs Great Britain like in women relay, if Czechs will make some good ground for Maslak as anchor he can attack also. Championships record 3:05.50 should go.

WOMEN

60 m: Sailer, Ryemyen and Lalova with top experience, young Philip waiting behind and Naimova showed fast times in South Africa.

400 m: Hurdles duos from UK (Shakes-Drayton and Child) and Czech (Hejnova with Rosolova) against improved French Gayot. Russia sent only one but she was the fastest at nationals (Ustalova).

800 m: Meadows is the title defender, otherwise very open possibly with Kotulskaya (formerly Kofanova) as the other top contender.

1500 m: Here gold for Sweden looks like a safe bet. Will Aregawi also try for a fast time? Meet record is 4:02.54. Large group ready for minor medals including world record holder Soboleva.

3000 m: Moreira is the one to watch, younger generation with Russians, Howarth and Harrer waits in the shadow. Longer distances experience for Belete and CC hero Britton.

60 m Hurdles:Talay has the world medal, Kondakova is Russian Champ, Berings won in Torino 2009 and Yanit is coming into top shape in right time. That is the group for win.

High Jump: The duel of women competition – young Trost against the old guard Hellebaut and Beitia.

Pole Vault: Savchenko is the most improved, Bleasdale is the best on the paper, Svobodova Euro Champ 2012 and Rogowska Torino 2009 gold medalist.

Long Jump: Kucherenko and Klishina are the favorites, but do not underestimate Lesueur, Proctor and Spanovic.

Triple Jump: Ukraine should be ready for clear gold here, Saladukha´s position looks to be very safe. Other medals more than open.

Shot Put: One of the top duels: olympic medalist Kolodko vs. list leader Schwanitz. Will we see first women 20+ of 2013?

Pentathlon: Nana Djimou is defending, but Bolshova has the top score. Ukrainian duo is also strong and Thiam could well improve her world junior record.

4×400 m: Russia vs Great Britain, battle for third for Czech and French girls.