I have been reading EME News since about 2011? Alfonz Juck and his team (Stephen Mills, Paul Halford) are well positioned to give us daily insights into the global sport we love!
This is the Monaco DL preview, which begins in a couple hours…Watch on NBC in Estados Unidos.
Sifan Hassan, Monaco DL, photo by Etienne Fiacre
11 World Doha Champions in 14 events
MONACO (MON): World-class clashes return for 2020 with the first normal-format Diamond League meeting following the pandemic interruption. Highlights will include a world record attempt for Joshua Cheptegei, while other world champions such as Noah Lyles, Donavan Brazier, Timothy Cheruiyot, Armand Duplantis, Halamah Nakaayi, Yulimar Rojas and Sifan Hassan will be in action. Karsten Warholm is another big star here. In total 5000 spectators will be allowed and athletes will compete on a brand new track.
Event by event short previews
Men
Noah Lyles, photo by Mike Deering, The Shoe Addicts
Donavan Brazier, photo by Mike Deering , The Shoe Addicts
800m – World champion Donavan Brazier looks to build on his world lead. Ferguson Rotich and Amel Tuka get off the mark for 2020.
Timothy Cheruiyot, photo by You Tube
1500m – World champion Timothy Cheruiyot heads a deep field, with Jakob and Filip Ingebrigtsen and fellow 3:30 runner Charlie Da Vall Grice hoping to lead the challenge.
5000m – World 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei will attack Kenenisa Bekele’s 2004 world record of 12:37.35. Recent European 5km road best-setter Jimmy Gressier and Yeman Crippa will be seeking breakthroughs, while former European champion Henrik Ingebrigtsen is also there.
3000m steeplechase – Soufiane El Bakali but Ethiopians Getnet Wale and Lamecha Girma are said to be in top shape. The race should end surely with a new world lead (currently 8:19.37), but more is expected.
Karston Warholm, Monaco DL, photo by Etienne Fiacre
400m hurdles – World champion Karsten Warholm is in his main event for the first time this year following his world best over 300m hurdles. He’s up against Yasmani Copello. WL and MR more than possible.
Mondo Duplantis, Monaco DL, photo by Etienne FiacreWomen
100m – World bronze medallist Marie Jose Ta Lou reveals her season-opening form as Ajla Del Ponte looks to continue in top shape after her 11.08.
400m – World champion Wadeline Jonathas begins her summer as fellow 49-second runner Lynna Irby competes in her first Diamond League. European champion Justyna Swiety-Ersetic is also there as hurdler Femke Bol looks to continue her recent advancements.
A big battle at 1000m? Doha WC 800m, photo by Getty Images / World Athletics
1000m – Halamiah Nakaayi and Raevyn Rogers, world 800m champion and silver medallists respectively, and Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon (debut at 1000 m) start their campaigns while Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie seek to continue their good starts. It will be inaugural meet record and WL also very possible.
Sifan Hassan, Monaco DL, photo by Etienne Fiacre
5000m – World 1500m and 10,000m champion Sifan Hassan and world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri are set for an intriguing battle as they both open up for the summer. World steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech is also there. WL, MR even European record remain under question. Surprise to come from Gidey.
High jump – Two-metre jumpers Yuliya Levchenko (already did 2 meters this year at home), Mirela Demireva and Yaroslava Mahuchikh will battle in a field that also includes world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
Yulimar Rojas , Monaco DL, photo by Etienne Fiacre
Triple jump – Yulimar Rojas will be hoping to pick up where she left off after her world indoor record in February. WL should go, MR looks tough with 15.31 by Ibarguen.
