Larry Eder comments:
The Doha DL is the opening meet of outdoor athletics around the world for 2016. This is the beginning of the Road to Rio for many. With such top rivalries and such loaded fields, the events in DOHA not only produce world leaders but give fans and media and the athletes a good indication of what needs to be done in the early season.
This is my third time in DOHA for a Diamond League meeting. The facility is top notch, the support of the media is fantastic and the excitement has been brewing for several days now.
Here are the short previews from Alfons Juck! Enjoy!
Doha DL 1500m in 2015! Photo by PHotoRun.net
Expectation for IDL begin: many world leads, some meet records
DOHA (QAT): The 7th season of IAAF Diamond League starts as usual in Qatar. With some changes. New York replaced by Rabat (first African meet), scoring changed from top 3 to top 6 and in technical events (except of pole vault and high jump) last three attempts will be performed by only top 4 competitors. The usual good weather gives hopes for early World leads 2016 in nearly all events. Already in top shape athletes like LaShawn Merritt, Omar McLeod, Asbel Kiprop and on the women side Dafne Schippers with Caster Semenya and Sandi Morris. Spectators will watch mainly high jump, but usual Ethiopian and Kenyan workers will also have what to cheer in distance races.
Short previews
Men
200 m: Ashmeade and Edward are the experienced ones, this year fast Webb and Ogunode but also Dix Oly medalist 2008 back in shape. Will they run sub 20? That would be MR.
400 m: The question – what will be the final time for Merritt? Haroun attacking.
1500 m: Kenyan armada headed by King Asbel. World lead for sure.
Steeple: Kenyan champs, all the best here. Will they run sub 8? World lead is not a question.
110mH: McLeod expectations. What is the shape of Ortega?
HJ: Barshim on home soil. But nothing is for granted.
TJ: Two T: Taylor+Tamgho, but attention Dong Bin won in Portland.
DT: Malachowski the usual suspect, but Milanov is in the shape.
Women
100 m: Schippers or Bowie, but Veronica has some experience.
800 m: Something special from Semenya?
3000 m: Billed as Ayana vs Vivian, but there are others too.
400H: Hejnova flew directly from South African training camp. Nel is already in shape.
PV: How high for Morris? Greeks should not be forgotten.
TJ: Ibarguen is unbeaten since 2012 with 31 finals. Rojas ready for surprise. Meet record highly possible.
SP: Brooks beat Carter in US, can she repeat it?
JT: Too many season openers here, so very open.
