by Larry Eder
Big meet in the big city!
Gatlin against the rest, Dibaba against the time
Event by Event
Men
100m: The US bring their top three; Bromell, Gay and Gatlin, the world leader and DR leader. Vicaut will be looking to get in the mix, also Bledman. Sub 9.7?
800m: First there is world leader Souleiman, then there is DR leader and defending champ Amos. And what about Europeans Kszczot and Tuka.
3000m: Ndiku was spiked in his return; here he will get a chance to show his form. Kaya could have the Euro u23 record of 7:37.50 on his mind.
400mH: Jackson is the man on form. He and Dutch will both be aiming for their third DL win of 2015.
PV: Lavillenie is on the back of two DL defeats but he has never been beaten at this meet, in three appearances. Out to put that record to bed are Holzdeppe, FilippÃdis and Wojciechowski. Although their form is also inconsistent. Breaking the MR of 600 and a win would put the French athlete right back on track.
TJ: Taylor and Pichardo duel again with 18m no longer a barrier. The MR of 17.63 should be history come the meet-closing fireworks. In their last six encounters, one has not managed to score two consecutive victories over the other.
SP: With Storl withdrawing, world leader Kovacs is the favourite, although Cantwell could pose him some problems. Kovacs has the form to beat the MR of 21.35.
JT: This year’s 90+ throwers, Yego and Walcott, are here. If they bring top form they could challenge the MR of 90.20, which was set in 1996. A very consistent Vesely is the DR leader. Pitkamaki will also be a factor.
4×100 m (non-DL): USA practice before Beijing. The A team with top composition Bromell, Gatlin, Gay, Rodgers, the B team with Kimmons, Spearmon, I. Young and McClain. France is also there but withou Lemaitre and Vicaut.
Women
200m: Miller beat Bowie in their early season clash in Kingston, now the two meet again. Tarmoh has two DL wins this season, but was 5th in Lausanne. Schippers also looks on form.
400m: World leader McCorory will hope to make up for her performance at the US trials and win her fourth DL of the season. Stephanie Ann McPherson comes from a win in Luzern. What is the shape of World Champ Ohuruogu.
100mH: The top 5 fastest this year are here. Harper-Nelson carries the best form. Nelvis and Stowers have both gone faster than the MR of 12.42 this year. Also watch out for Kendra Harrison in her pro debut.
Steeple: Nyambura has only been beaten once this season in the steeple; that was by Kiyeng who is also in the field. If Coburn can re-find her form from US nationals, she could threaten the Kenyan pair. And what about Ethiopians? The MR of 9:14.17 is not out of reach. And Ghribi opens her season.
HJ: Chicherova is favourite after her 203 WL in Lausanne. If she improves further, she would challenge the MR of 204. Beitia and Licwinko should be her main rivals. How will Kuchina bounce back after her subpar performance in Tallinn?
LJ: Bartoletta is the world leader and DR leader, but Proctor, Klishina and Nettey can threaten if they have a good day.
DT: There are no Cubans in the field to threaten Perkovic. The Croatian would need to throw well if she is to perform better than the MR of 69.30.
4×100 m (non-DL): Again US testing, top squad Gardner-Felix-Prandini-Whitney and the other team Todd, McGrone, Tarmoh, Jefferson.
