Mondo party, strong 800 m races
STOCKHOLM (SWE): One of the classics. Bauhaus Galan in the legendary Olympic Stadium. The meet itself started in 1967. 13 World records in history. One clear candidate for Sunday afternoon is local star, Mondo. High expectations from both the 800 m races, Almgren in the 1500 m, and Stahl in the discus. Some old meet records can be broken. Scandinavian Tour continues. Duplantis said at the press conference, “Something big could happen.” Meeting record breakers will recieve as in the past, diamonds.
Short event-by-event previews
Men
200 m: Bednarek in top position here, only one close is Dambile. Legend M. Johnson has the MR 19.77 back from 1996.
400 m: Patterson continuing in winning? Coming in Tokyo, silver medalist Richards.
800 m: One of the highlights. Attaoui in shape, Arop season opener, Bol also there from the top Australian season, talent Lutkenhaus, Rome winner Tual. WL 1:42.98 under threat.
1500 m: Final race of the day with home hero Almgren. Myers, Habz, Nuguse the favorites, new name coming Ciattei. 10k champ Gressier. El Guerrouj has the MR 3:29.30 from 1977. WL 3:29.85.
Steeple: El Bakkali wants to continue in winning after Rabat, Simon Koech tried to be close, what is the shape of WR holder Girma? MR of Kipsiele Koech comes from 2007 (7:59.42).
400mH (non-DL): Dos Santos is having a great season. MR 46.54 is tough though.
Pole Vault: Mondo Duplantis delivered last year his first WR here 628, 628. It will not be easy, but he will have a great crowd behind him.
Discus: Local hero Stahl with Ceh in winning shape, Denny to be considered too. MR 70.02 by Ceh from 2022.
Women
100 m: World champ Jefferson-Wooden should be clear, as others do not have sub 11 this year.
800 m: High expectations from season opener by Hodgkinson, good 400 test in Rome. Next on time is Werro. MR 1:56.28, WL 1:56.56 both should be broken.
1500 m (non-DL): Good field with sub-4 Ethiopians headed by WL holder Haylom
Steeple: Bouzayani and Tufa best on times, season debut for Finot. Still MR 9:04.34 under threat.
Long jump: Will be tough to get 7. De Sousa’s season debut, Mihambo is always there. Nichols is in the best shape, and Brown has 707 this year.
Shot: Ladies on fire here, Schilder and Jackson in a new 21st dimension? Old meet record 20.57 by Valerie Adams from 2011 should go.
Discus: Valarie Sion in her own World, an attack on the meet record 68.77 from 2012.
