by Larry EderThe Lausanne Atheltissima meet is the 8th on the Diamond League schedule for 2018. Abderrahman Samba just ran 46.98 for the 400 meter hurdles, the second fastest time ever and in the 200 meters, Noah Lyles, Mike Norman, Rai Benjamin, Ramil Guyilev highlight the furlong. Those are just a few of the exciting moments in today’s fine meeting. Do not miss it!
Abderahman Samba, 400 meter hurdles star, how fast can he go? photo by PhotoRun.net
What is Samba going to do?
LAUSANNE (SUI): Athletissima of Lausanne (started in 1977) is offering superb evening after pole vault pre-programme. The World is waiting for another top time by Abderrahmane Samba in the 400 m Hurdles, Noah Lyles is in the 200 m, World lead in men´s 5000 m is possible, all the fastest women are assembled in the 100 m sprint. Pontaise Stadium always offered fast times at 110 m hurdles and Caster Semenya runs this time the 1500 m.
Event by event
Men
200m – In his first race since the US Championships, Noah Lyles faces Mike Norman and Rai Benjamin, who were first and second in Paris. Five athletes in the field have broke 20 seconds in 2018.
5000m – A strong Ethiopian contingent is in action including world champion Muktar Edris, world indoor champion Yomif Kejelcha and world leader Selemon Barega. World lead under threat.
110m hurdles – Sergey Shubenkov is a big favourite after 12.92 in Budapest. Next fastest based on 2018 form are Jamaicans Omar McLeod and Ronald Levy both with 13.16.
400m hurdles – How fast will Abderrahman Samba run after his 46.98 in Paris on Saturday? Second and third behind Samba, Kyron McMaster and world champion Karsten Warholm also take to the start-line.
400m hurdles (non-DL / B race) – B race includes Brits Jack Green and Niall Flannery and European U23 silver medallist Dany Brand.
High jump – World indoor champion Danil Lysenko is the favourite with Mutaz Essa Barshim not competing due to injury.
Triple jump – Another head-to-head between Pedro Pablo Pichardo (he did not compete since May 27) and Christian Taylor. Taylor won 18.06m to 17.99m when they met in Lausanne 2015.
Shot put – Tom Walsh is the big favourite.
Women
100m – Six athletes have broken the 11 second-barrier in 2018: Marie-Josee Ta Lou (10.85), Murielle Ahoure (10.90), Aleia Hobbs (10.90), Elaine Thompson (10.93) and Jenna Prandini (10.98).
200m (non-DL) – Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson is by far the fastest this year with 22.05.
400m – Salwa Eid Naser will be looking to extend her winning streak after a 49.55 Asian record in Paris. Shakima Wimbley is slightly faster on paper with 49.52 though.
800m – With Caster Semenya racing over 1500m, Francine Niyonsaba and Ajee’ Wilson will be looking to capitalise.
1500m – In-form Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay faces an excellent line-up including US champion Shelby Houlihan, Laura Muir and Caster Semenya, who clocked a gun-to-tape 1:54.25 over 800m in Paris. Sifan Hassan will run her first 1500m of the outdoor season.
400m hurdles – Jamaica’s Janieve Russell (53.78) faces a strong American trio of Shamier Little (53.61), Dalilah Muhammad (53.65) and Georganne Moline (53.97).
4x100m (non-DL) – Switzerland will be looking to cap the evening with victory in the 4x100m UBS Trophy but Germany and the Netherlands with Dafne Schippers will challenge in this all-European clash.
Long jump – After a 7.05 world lead at the British Championships, Lorraine Ugen faces European champion Ivana Spanovic and Olympic champion Tianna Bartoletta.
Pole vault – Excellent field includes Jenn Suhr (4.93m), Eliza McCartney (4.92m) and Sandi Morris (4.88m). World and Olympic champion Ekaterini Stefanidi improved to 4.80m in her most recent competition. Morris is promising MR attack (493).
Javelin – European champion Tatiana Khaladovich (67.47m) and Liu Shiying (67.12m) have the longest season’s bests.
