byLarry Eder
Start of the top series: Farah in the 3000 m
DOHA (QAT): Also in 6th year of IAAF Diamond League the Doha meet is the circuit opener. With new broadcasters mainly in Europe this edition is promising again creme de la creme of our sport. Hot weather at Qatar Sports Club with expected nearly capacity crowd (15 000) offers at the beginning of the season top conditions and so World leads in many events could be expected. Justin Gatlin, Mo Farah, duel Kiprop vs Aman and deep world class fields mainly in women 100 m hurdles and men triple jump with javelin are offering something special. As it was said at the main press conference athletes are coming from 54 countries, 12 reigning Olympic Champions and 11 current World Champions, overall 16 Olympic Champions and 26 World Champions, as well as 10 Diamond Race winners of 2014.
Event by event
Men
100 m: Gatlin in first individual race of the year will attack Powell´s WL of 9.84 and MR 9.85. The rest should be well behind him, Dasaolu could expect European lead 2015.
400 m (Asian Race): With super Qatari junior Haroun a fast time is expected.
800 m: The duel of the evening Aman vs Kiprop. Kenyan already ran something, his advantage? Or dark horse Souleiman from behind (or Bosse) ? The pace is set for 49.5 at 400 m.
3000 m: Farah for first time in his career runs such a high quality track race so early in the season. Alamirew (DL record holder from here 7:27.76) leads Ethiopians, Soi with I. Koech Kenyans. Is ER 7:26.62 within reach, pace would allow it (4:59 at 2km).
400mH: Van Zyl looks very good this year, Jackson also showed some fitness. What about Culson?
PV: Lisek is suddenly the favorite.
TJ: Pichardo ready to achieve something special. Possibly first ever 18 m in the Diamond League? Champions Taylor, Tamgho, Evora will attack him.
SP: All set for Kovacs? Storl and Whiting have more experience than the World leader.
JT: First top gathering of the year. Oly winner Walcott, World champion Vesely, World leader 2014 Ihab and Finns Pitkamaki, Ruuskanen.
Women
200 m: Felix likes Doha, but is Ahoure in better shape?
400 m: Sanya could improved her own WL wind permitting.
1500 m: Aregawi vs Hassan is the expected duel, but Ethiopian Seyaum not to forget along with Mishchenko who is WL holder. Sub 4 expected (pace at 8002:06).
Steeple: World lead for sure here, Ethiopians to rule with Assefa and Ayalew.
100mH: Superb field with Olympic winner Pearson, DR winner Harper-Nelson and mainly new sensation Stowers. Are we wrongly forgetting Porter?
HJ: This is open. Favorites did not jump yet, except of Simic. But Beitia has lot of experience and Palsyte with Kasprzycka are other names to mention.
LJ: Nettey was the indoor revelation, Spanovic was the indoor champion, but Bartoletta and Klishina already jumped in competitive environment. Last but not least Reese (DL rec holder from here 725).
DT: Perkovic against herself or can Samuels come close?
