by Larry Eder
EME NEWS (JUL 3, 2015)
French stars, duel in 5k, Barshim, James and much more
PARIS (FRA): The IAAF Diamond League continues after national champs break with 8th meet of the year, the Areva of Paris. Great summer weather rules currently in Europe, excellent conditions mainly for sprints could be expected. French athletics will present the strength with Lavillenie in pole vault, Vicaut in 100 m (against A. Powell) and top hurdlers. The clash of the meet is the 5000 m duel Ayana vs Genzebe, fast times are expected from Kirani James in the 400 m and in women 100 m. All best Kenyans are in the steeple. Adams is returning after break and Barshim will be this time without Bondarenko pressure.
Event by Event
Men
100m: The meet-closing event has Powell as the star act. Could he challenge Bolt’s MR of 9.79? Rodgers could be his biggest rival. Vicaut the home star.
400m: James has been unbeatable so far and his streak should continue. After his recent NR, Van Niekirk will hope to challenge. Verburg is the fresh US champion. Breaking Wariner’s MR of 43.86 is not out of the question.
1500m: Makhloufi impressed over 1000m this week; is he on form to challenge Kiplagat and Souleiman? Iguider competes after an 800m PB in Nancy. A world lead is likely.
110mH (non-DL): In the B race, Cuba’s Yordan O’Farrill and the USA’s Jeff Porter are evenly matched.
110mH: In the main race, Oliver is the man to beat. In front of his home fans, PML will hope to refind his early season form.
3000mSC: The Kenyans have their top stars led by Birech, Kemboi and C. Kipruto. Jager was 4th in Eugene and is the most likely candidate to threaten their dominance. We could see the first sub 8 of the year. The MR is 7:59.03.
LJ: After runner-up finishes in Birmingham and Oslo, Hartfield will aim for his first DL win. Menkov should challenge if he can manage his injury problems. DR leader Rutherford will not compete.
HJ: Barshim should have company up high, especially from Kynard. Fassinotti will want to get his hands on the Italian record again. Ukhov will hope for a better showing. Sotomayor holds the MR at 240.
PV: Renaud Lavillenie hopes for his first 6 metre clearance at his home DL meet. Athletes capable of spoiling the French party are Holzdeppe and Braz. The MR of 600 (Bubka & Hartwig) could fall.
DT: Jason Morgan is the world leader, but his more recent performances were not as good. Zoltán Kővágó carries good form into Paris while Malachowski is the DR leader.
Women
100m: The clash of the joint world leaders, SAFP and Gardner. Marion Jones’ MR of 10.88 is in considerable danger. From Europe, what can Schippers do?
800m: Sum is unbeaten so far this year. Almanza could pose a threat after her PB in Nancy.
400mH: Tate is favourite after her US silver while Moline will be motivated after her fall in Eugene. Spencer, the winner of the three DL races so far, is not entered. But running is reigning World champ Hejnova and in-shape Nel.
5000m: This is the big one. Ethiopians Ayana and G. Dibaba meet to chase Tirunesh Dibaba’s WR of 14:11.15. The question is: will they cooperate in WR quest? Tirunesh also has the MR of 14:23.68. Faith Kipyegon will lead Kenyan hopes.
PV: Murer will look to extend her DR lead in the absence of Suhr. Greek record holder Nikoléta Kiriakopoúlou may cause her the most trouble.
TJ: Ibarguen’s win streak is still intact, but Koneva is looking to break it. The top 9 in 2015 are all here.
SP: Adams’ return will not be easy, she will come up against three athletes that have gone 20+ this year: Carter, Gong and her main rival Schwanitz. The MR of 20.78, jointly held by Adams and Ostapchuk, could be in danger and therefore the WL (20.77) could also be improved.
JT: US champion Winger has good form. Dorozhon won in Oslo; she tops the DR standings with Lu and Obergfoll, who are both entered along with Spotakova.
