by Alfonz Juck
Usain Bolt, photo from PUMA communications
Mo Farah, photo by PhotoRun.net
Wayde Van Niekerk, photo by PhotoRun.net
Shaunae Miller-Uibo, photo by PhotoRun.net
Ryan Crouser, photo by PhotoRun.net
Anita Wlodarczyk, photo by PhotoRun.net
Allyson Felix, photo by Brian Eder for RunBlogRun
The photos above are for some of the headline makers for this upcoming ten days of glorious athletics. There will be many, many more, and please read the EME news report below, on headlines and previews of races. Enjoy!
16th IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
HEADLINES
Full Stadium (60 000) – Bolt´s farewell – During the week only evening sessions – Interesting doubles Van Niekerk, Miller-Uibo, Ayana, G. Dibaba, Farah – First time without official Russian team – Debut of women 50 km walk – Record number of entered athletes 2034 – 4000 volunteers – New event presentation elements – Medal ceremonies for athletes who will get it after doping discqualifications – All walking events on one day – 48 events for first time – Huge anti-doping operation via newly established Athletics Integrity Unit – In 11 events the title defender is not competing.
Event by event short previews
Men
100 m: Bolts last one, he is getting better every day, could Coleman after long NCAA season be the danger for him? How strong is Blake, reportedly fully healthy.
200 m: After De Grasse out it looks even more clearer for Wayde´s double. How tired will be Makwala?
400 m: Van Niekerk knows what he needs to do. Very fast time is not out of the question. Kerley and Makwala for other medals.
800 m: Amos and Korir unbeaten in last races. Who will be stronger in last meters? Dark horse is Bett.
1500 m: Can somebody here spoil the Kenyan party? Manangoi the new champ? In slow race predictions are forgotten.
5000 m: Barega is 17 years younger than Sir Mo. Experience and top tactics should prevail.
10 000 m: Here Kenyans making plans to attack Sir Mo, but the full stadium will be against it.
Marathon: Kenya vs Ethiopia, two teams against each other. Who would you bet on? So open. Maybe Wanjiru.
Steeple: How healthy is Conseslus? Jager and El Bakkali ready against other Kenyans.
110mH: McLeod in technically clean race looks to be clear. Strong group behind him for other medals headed by Shubenkov and Merritt.
400mh: Time for new generation, McMaster, Warholm, Futch, Samba, but experience is on Clement´s side.
HJ: Barshim is unbeaten and in shape, surprise possible from new contenders Przybylko and Lysenko. Drouin fully healthy and ready?
PV: New contenders for top place Kendricks and Lisek, but Lavillenie knows how to do the job.
LJ: Manyonga fully healthy would be clear, is he in that position? Very motivated is 2013 Champ Menkov.
TJ: Taylor vs Claye, rest will fight for bronze.
SP: Four this year over 22 m, when that last time happened? But Crouser looks to be in his own class.
DT: Although Stahl showed impressive shape this looks to be very open, new guard (Dacres, Gudzius) against past heroes (Harting, Malachowski).
HT: Fajdek will pay attention in qualification and if all ok he should be unbeatable in the final. Nowicki for silver but bronze very open.
JT: German 90 m party (Rohler, Vetter) at meet record level but there is a strong group of attackers headed by Vadlejch.
Dec: Mayer fully ready for his first decathlon of the year, Freimuth and Shkurenyov scored high, Warner not to be underestimated, Hardee was a champion already.
20kmw: Asian walkers with usual fast times, but Bird-Smith and Linke are the winning types. And we are not forgetting home Bosworth with title defender Lopez.
50kmw: Top 3 favorites Diniz, Tallent and Heffernan without full race at the distance this year, is that their advantage against Haukenes and Augustyn who have 2017 top times?
4×100 m: Jamaica with Forever Fastest should get it.
4×400 m: Is Botswana ready to challenge the US team?
Women
100 m: With her best spikes and healthy Thompson should be unbeatable. Solid even group behind her, possibly with Bowie on top.
200 m: Schippers title defence could be spoiled by Bowie and Miller-Uibo.
400 m: Miller-Uibo looks clear, but we did not see much from Felix and Hayes, they can surprise her.
800 m: Semenya said she can be faster than in Monaco, that should be enough for a preview.
1500 m: Superb fight Hassan, Kipyegon, Genzebe. Also strong Europeans Muir and Klosterhalfen will make it even more interesting.
5000 m: Obiri was running all season in own class, that should be enough said.
10 000 m: How ready are Ayana and Tirunesh, that is the crucial question here. Otherwise a group of contenders for win.
Marathon: Normally you would say Edna Kiplagat or Mare Dibaba, but that would be too easy and this distance is not easy, lets stay with very open situation.
Steeple: Is Chespol having enough courage for the fight against older runners Jebet and Kiyeng? Chepkoech with recent flat improvement the dark horse. Meet record should happen.
100H: WR holder Harrison knows the track, she is expected to get it. After her anything can happen.
400H: Hejnova plans against US medal sweep.
HJ: Lasitskene for gold, Licwinko for silver but who for bronze?
PV: Stefanidi is the obvious choice, but Morris and Suhr have 5 meters, Silva is title defender and Bradshaw at home.
LJ: Spanovic was injured, so Bartoletta and Reese are having top chances.
TJ: Ibarguen is not that dominant as in the past seasons, but honestly only Rojas can beat her.
SP: Gong leads the lists, Carter is Olympic winner but Saunders is the new generation.
DT: Perkovic on good day is unbeatable. Perkovic on bad day nearly unbeatable. Cubans want attack.
HT: Wlodarczyk one-woman show. Here WR possible. Medal for US (Berry)? Dark horse Kopron.
JT: Spotakova vs. Kolak is the expected duel. Experience against young blood.
Hep: Thiam is the clear choice, but KJT will be supported heavily by the public.
20kmw: Time for China, Italy or Mexico?
50kmw: Will Henriques go only for gold or also for WR?
4×100 m: USA clear on the paper, but the exchange chemistry…Jamaica is waiting.
4×400 m: Here no discussion, US clear, fight for other medals.
