by Alfonz Juck
Sondre Moen, looking for a big PB in 10,000m, photo by PhotoRun.net
The eve of the Oslo Bislett Games is almost here. The planning for the meet, one of the most storied in Europe, has been in planning since late in the fall. Focusing on the stars of Norway, this year will be a great experiment. Budgets across the League are tight, as 2018 is a non global championships year and sponsors are, well, wary.
The Ingebrigtsen brothers, Karoline Grovdal, Sondre Moen, and Karston Warholm are all there, and they will be big draws. The wonderful weather, and some fine rivalries will be showcased. Watch for coverage from @runblogrun’s Stuart Weir and @runblogrun social media.
Norwegian brothers and Warholm
OSLO (NOR): This years edition of the famous Bislett Games will have all three Ingebrigtsen brothers running and giving the spectators something to cheer. But the biggest applause will be saved for World champion Karsten Warholm who will have the chance in his second race of the year at 400 m hurdles to give reveng to Qatari Abderrahmane Samba after Rome super fast race. Other exceptional fields are in men´s high jump, discus and shot put with World leaders in shape. The same goes for women triple and javelin. Speciality in the pre-programme will be men´s 10 000 m, currently a rare distance in the DL circuit.
Karston Warholm, photo by PhotoRun.netShort event by event previews
Men
200m – Commonwealth champion Jereem Richards, who has already clocked 19.99 in 2018, goes head-to-head with world champion Ramil Guliyev.
1500m (non-DL) – After breaking the European U20 mile record in Eugene, will Jakob Ingebrigtsen break the European U20 1500m record of 3:35.51?
Dream Mile – World champion Elijah Manangoi will be looking to return to winning ways after defeats to Timothy Cheruiyot in Eugene and Rome. Home favourites Filip and Henrik Ingebrigtsen also compete.
10,000m (non-DL) – European marathon record-holder Sondre Nordstad Moen will be looking to smash his 28:15.12 PB. Switzerland’s Julien Wanders will also be aiming to better his 28:06.17 PB.
400m hurdles – Look for another head-to-head between Abderrahman Samba and world champion Karsten Warholm. They were first and second in Rome in 47.48 (Asian record) and 47.82 (European U23 record).
High jump – Mutaz Essa Barshim is expected to extend his unbeaten streak. The field also includes world indoor champion Danil Lysenko and Belarus’ Dmitriy Nabokau, who recently cleared 2.36m.
Discus – Excellent field assembled including the three medallists from the World Championships (Gudzius, Stahl and Finley), Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres, who is unbeaten in 2018, and Olympic champion Christoph Harting.
Shot – Ryan Crouser is unbeaten this year and arrives fresh from victory in Prague with 22.31m but world indoor and outdoor champion Tom Walsh still leads the world lists with 22.67m.
Women
100m – World indoor champion Murielle Ahoure is one of three sub-11 competitors in the field based on season’s bests. Commonwealth champion Michelle-Lee Ahye is another favourite.
400m – Entry-list includes world champion Phyllis Francis and world silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser from Bahrain, the winner in Rome in 50.51.
800m – Caster Semenya and Francine Niyonsaba are expected to dominate proceedings. Laura Muir drops down a distance as well.
3000m steeplechase – World champion Emma Coburn will be looking to make up for Rome where she fell at the last water jump. Former world champion Hyvin Kiyeng, who won in Rome, also competes while Courtney Frerichs and home favourite Karoline Grovdal will both make their season’s debuts.
100m hurdles (non-DL) – Alina Talay races for the first time since her incredible 12.41 in St. Polten last week. The field also includes former world champion Danielle Williams from Jamaica.
400m hurdles – Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad is the fastest on paper by more than one second based on season’s bests with 53.77.
Triple jump – Olympic champion Caterine Ibarguen competes but Tori Franklin leads the 2018 lists with a US record of 14.84m. Olga Rypakova opens her season.
Pole vault – World indoor champion Sandi Morris will be looking to return to winning ways after defeat in Eugene. World and Olympic champion Ekaterini Stefanidi also competes.
Javelin – China’s Lyu Huihui has been in excellent form this year, improving her Asian record to 67.69m.
