by Larry Eder
Event by Event
Men
100m (non-DL): The big showdown between Gatlin, Powell and Gay. The MR of 9.69 looks out of reach, but this should be fast. One that could sneak into the top three is Bledman.
200m: Young is the favourite, although Jobodwana beat him at Pre. Can Tsákonas keep his win streak going in more exalted company?
800m: Rudisha, Aman, Amos and Bosse are all entered. The first three are all looking for their second DL win of the season. It is the first time Rudisha and Aman meet this season.
5000m: A WL and MR (12:59.13) is likely as Farah returns to the DL where he will meet Gebrhiwet, who beat him in Doha earlier this season. What can Ndiku do on his return from injury? Kejelcha is the world leader.
400mH: Jackson is the world leader and fresh US champion. Culson and Tinsley may cause him the most problems. Home star Hussein.
PV: How will Lavillenie bounce back from Paris? He could do so triumphantly by beating the MR of 591, but he should have company up high from fellow DR leader Filippidis as well as Holzdeppe and Braz.
TJ: The DR and world leader Pichardo is a big favourite. The MR of 17.91 is strong, but the Cuban has gone further in four competitions this year. Can Taylor get back to the form he had in Doha and cause him some problems?
SP: Storl is the DR leader. Kovacs will be favoured to overtake him, but he was second in Sotteville to Cantwell who will also be fighting for the win. This should be a good battle and the MR of 21.88 may be in the line of fire.
JT: The top three – world leader Yego, DR leader Vesely and Pitkamaki – are here. Abdelrahman beat Yego in his last competition and might be ready for a big effort.
Women
200m: Felix was beaten by Tarmoh in Birmingham and the two meet again here. Felix has run faster than the MR of 22.07 this year. Okagbare (after LJ) and Ahoure are also entered.
400m: Richards-Ross is out for redemption after not making the US final. Hastings will be riding high after her US silver. Miller’s performance will help her decision for Beijing. No athletes in the field have won a DL this year.
800m (non-DL): Buchel could be ready for a big home win after her Swiss NR. Ludlow was just behind her in Paris and may be her biggest rival.
1500m: The top three from a close finish in Rome are here: Simpson, Hassan and Seyaum. Kipyegon and Cherono will also be in the mix. The MR of 3:58.60 is tough, but not out of reach.
100mH: Harper-Nelson is fresh from her US title. Nelvis and Stowers will have a point to prove after not meeting expectations in Eugene. Both could heal some wounds by beating the MR of 12.40. Stowers is the DR leader.
400mH (non-DL): After her latest Danish NR, Petersen is the favourite. Nel will hope to challenge her. Staged for home Sprunger.
Steeple: Coburn was very impressive at US nationals, now she faces the Africans for the first time in 2015. DR leader Virginia Nyambura and world leader Hyvin Kiyeng are the other big favourites.
HJ: In the absence of Vlasic and Kuchina, world leader and DR leader Beitia is the favourite. Pooley and Kinsey have the form to upset some favourites. What is the shape of Russian stars Chicherova and Shkolina?
LJ: Bartoletta is the DR leader and world leader but Klishina has good form, although the American has beaten the Russian in their last 5 competitions. Moguenara is on form, while Okagbare makes her first long jump appearance of the season and could challenge.
DT: Perkovic has won all 4 DL discus competitions this year, but world leader Caballero should challenge her unbeaten streak. Both have gone further that the MR of 68.96 this year.
4×100 m (non-DL): Ukraine the favorite in UBS Trophy against the home team.
