by Larry Eder
Farah Returns to the 1500m, fast 100 m expected
BIRMINGHAM (GBR): The fifth IAAF Diamond League stop of the season offers on Sunday another high quality men’s javelin line-up; Allyson Felix and Dina Asher Smith in an intriguing women’s 200m; and the continuation of the women’s 100mH show. Christian Taylor will try and answer Pichardo’s recent huge efforts, while Mo Farah’s performance over 1500m will also be of great interest. Also fast 100 m final is expected after tough two heats with several sprinters thinking about the final.
Event By Event Preview
Men
100m: The men’s 100m starts with heats with the final two hours later. Rodgers and Vicaut were nearly equal in Rome and they face eachother again here, without Gatlin. After beating Rodgers in Beijing, Marvin Bracy could be favourite. Watch also for Gemili and Kilty.
300m (non-DL): Chris Brown has run faster this year than he has since 2008. Wayde van Niekerk had an unbeaten South African campaign; this will be his first international appearance of the year. Hudson Smith leads the home charge.
800m: With no Aman, Amos is the favoured one. Although, Kinyor and Kszczot were close behind him in Rome. Makhloufi could be another challenger.
1500m (non-DL): Farah’s first 1500m since his ER in Monaco in 2013. How fast will he go this time? The MR is 3:30.82.
5000m: The big names may be carrying some fatigue from the 5000m races in Rome and Eugene, but Gebrhiwet and Longosiwa will still start as favourites. The MR of 13:00.20 could be beatable.
110mH (non-DL): Ortega should be the winner, although the hurdles can throw some surprises. Garfield Darien looks to be his main rival.
LJ: Olympic champ Greg Rutherford is the headliner. Damar Forbes underperformed in Shanghai, but has jumped well before and after and could challenge for the win.
TJ: How can Christian Taylor respond to Pichardo’s recent efforts? Ollson’s MR of 17.74 could be within reach.
JT: The top 6 from Rome compete again. Vesely will hope for back to back wins, while Yego and Walcott will hope to further their fresh NRs. World leader and Doha winner Pitkamaki will hope to get back on top.
Women
200m: Felix is getting back to her best form. Eyes will be on Asher Smith after her 11.02; what can she do for the 200m? The MR of 22.25 is in danger.
400m: After placing 3rd in Doha and Eugene and then 2nd in Rome, Stephenie Ann McPherson could be in line to move up to the top spot here.
800m (non-DL): Sum won in Eugene against a tougher field, but last year she was beaten in Birmingham by Lynsey Sharp, who she will face again on Sunday.
1500m: It looks for Hassan. However, Aregawi could be back on form after a good 800m at Pre. The Swede has won the 1500m here the last two times it was contested (2011 and 2013).
Steeple: With no Ayalew, this looks set to become a race between Kiyeng and Nyambura. The MR of 9:17.43 could be achievable if they recovered well from Rome.
100mH: Rollins and Stowers will hope to make amends for their disapointments in Rome. Dawn Harper Nelson should also be in the mix. Stowers could go under the MR of 12.48.
400mH: Shanghai winner Spencer could extend her DR lead, but what kind of challenge can Hejnova bring, after defeating Nel in Ostrava?
HJ: Licwinko looks the favourite, with the strongest challenge likely to come from Kuchina.
PV: Early DL series leader Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou starts as favourite, but the competition looks open. Stefanidi and Murer should be other top contenders.
SP: Nobody should be able to match Schwanitz in her current form. She has thrown further than Ostapchuk’s MR of 20.57 this season.
DT: Perkovic should continue her unbeaten campaign. The Croatian has thrown further than the MR of 66.16 in all her three appearances so far in 2015.
