The Diamond League makes a return this weekend at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, with many world champions all going to compete for glory in what will be a star studded showpiece.
There is no doubt that the cynosure of all eyes will be the women’s 200m where a stacked field will be giving us a glimpse of what to expect at the 2017 World Championships in London.
Elaine Thompson will be eager to replicate her early season prowess and show that she is ready for the sprint double when she comes up against fellow World Leader, Tori Bowie with whom she both shares an identical Season’s Best (SB) and World Lead (WL) of 22.09s, alongside Deajah Stevens.
Defending World Champion Dafne Schippers will also provide a stern test, with evergreen Allyson Felix also competing in her second appearance of the season, having raced in the 100m at the Jamaica Invitational last weekend.
Eugene here we come! 🌍✈️🇺🇸 On my way to the second Diamond League meeting of the year 💎 #200m #PreClassic #Dafnelikes3008 #NefkensPeugeot pic.twitter.com/4cMRe1uVfA
— Dafne Schippers (@dafneschippers) May 23, 2017
This race is expected to be so competitive and not a straightforward call, especially factoring in that 400m Olympic champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo would also be lining up in this half lap race, not forgetting Ivorian Marie-Josée Ta Lou who has grown in leaps and bounds since the Rio Olympic Games.
“Do it with passion, or not at all.” — R. Carey 📸: @jeffcohenphoto pic.twitter.com/fgzodjIHxs
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) May 24, 2017
The women’s 200m might appear to take all the shine, but there are respectable names to keep an eye on in the 100m, although it is not a Diamond League scoring event. African Record holder Murielle Ahouré will open her 100m season, and she would be coming up against established stalwarts like Veronica Campbell-Brown, Tianna Bartoletta, Michelle-Lee Ahye and Morolake Akinosun who recently ran an SB of 11.06s.
Meanwhile in the men’s 100m, the jury would be out to know if Justin Gatlin can really challenge for a medal in London as he is yet to go under 10s in his two races this year, having posted an SB of 10.14s. Will Andre De Grasse pip him? It is left to be seen when both compete on Saturday, but there’s also a youngster to watch out for, Ronnie Baker who has already done 9.98s this year.
The men’s 400m will provide LaShawn Merritt an opportunity for a comeback, having been beaten in Doha by Bahamian Steven Gardiner. However he would be wary of the Botswana duo of Karabo Sibanda and Baboloki Thebe, with the former giving him a real chase at the World Relays in the men’s 4x400m.
It will be interesting to see Paul Dedewo compete in his first ever Diamond League outing, and having recently made the US team, the quarter miler who has Nigerian parents, will be hoping to grab his chance with both hands.
Congrats to @PaulDedewo – just confirmed for his first @Diamond_League in Eugene this weekend! @CoachKevinTyler doing a great job with him! pic.twitter.com/oPB6R9RnDq
— Stuart McMillan (@StuartMcMillan1) May 24, 2017
There will be no Kendra Harrison in the women’s 100m Hurdles as she recently underwent a surgery after her win in Doha, but the field includes Olympic medallists Nia Ali and Kristi Catlin, with Beijing 2015 Bronze medallist Alina Talay also in the mix.
In the women’s 800m, Caster Semenya will be the strong favourite to follow up her impressive win in Doha where she stormed to a WL of 1:56.61. Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui will be hoping to pose a threat as would Melissa Bishop and Marina Arzamasova.
Both 5000m races would serve up thrilling performances, with World and Olympic champion Mo Farah opening his season as he winds up time on the track to switch to road races.
However in the women’s category, Genzebe Dibaba will be trying to ‘run the talk’ as she attempts her elder sister’s World Record of 14.11.15. Can she do it? Very possible she can, and with a Personal Best of 14:15.41, she alongside Almaz Ayana have come the closest to matching Tirunesh’s feat.
Field Events:
Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare will be making her Long Jump debut this season, having been named in the entry list in Eugene. An event that she has won a World and Olympic medal in, Okagbare will be jumping for the first time in 2017, having twice competed in the 200m this year.
She has been making a steady appearance at the Prefontaine Classic over the years but will not compete in any track event this weekend as she decides on what event(s) to register for in London.
The Long Jump field will include World and Olympic GOLD medallist, Bartoletta, with former Olympic Champion Brittney Reese and Great Britain’s duo, Lorriane Ugen and Shara Proctor also listed.
In the men’s Triple Jump, Christian Taylor will hope to continue with his winning streak that has seen him undefeated since 2015, while veteran Ruth Beitia would come up against promising Vashti Cunningham in the women’s High Jump.
One week until @nikepreclassic .I am excited to jump against a strong field! Let's push the envelope and give those Ducks a show! #lovemyjob pic.twitter.com/2yxq86JLDO
— Christian Taylor (@Taylored2jump) May 19, 2017
Men’s Shot Put has the potential to produce the best competition with as many as four athletes: Joe Kovacs, Tom Walsh, Ryan Crouser and David Storl all capable of throwing over 22m.
Having already witnessed scintillating performances this season in Doha and Shanghai respectively, Eugene will no doubt raise the bar a notch higher in terms of competition.
