by Larry Eder
High jump show-time, super sprints
LAUSANNE (SUI): Since 1977 Athletissima is one of the main fixtures on the circuit. This year again with the hot men high jump fight, but also top sprinters like Justin Gatlin, Yohan Blake, return of Tyson Gay and special duel Kirani James vs LaShawn Merritt in the 400 m. As usual also hurdle races are at the Pontaise Stadium offering special results. In women events the surprise world leader Ahye of Trinidad in her first international test. Stars had kids clinic at different places flown there by a helicopter.
Event by event preview
Men
100 m (non-DL): Return of Gay is the hot issue, but Gatlin has the top shape and Rodgers is fresh US Champion. Can they attack 9.82 WL?
200 m: Blake with first international 200 of the year. Hunting him Ashmeade, Ogunode, Edward and Lemaitre.
400 m: Merritt vs James, current head-to-head score is 6:5 in favor of James. But Merritt competed in 11 races this year so far, James only 2.
1500 m: S. Kiplagat on paper, but could be anybody´s, Mekhissi, Tesfaye, Ingebrigtsen, Ozbilen strong European presence.
Steeple: Birech is the World leader, what about season debut of Conseslus Kipruto.
110mH: Moscow podium against PML and Ortega both 13.12 this year and Jamaican champ Riley.
400mH: Culson to achieve first years sub 48? Tinsley also in shape.
HJ: The hit of the evening, all the best here and rested. Bondarenko, Barshim, again healthy Ukhov, Drouin and Kynard coming from nationals. And they always jumped high here in the past.
PV: Lavillenie one man show or? He wants to win here again and attack 591 MR and 592 WL.
LJ: Actually superb field with WL holder Rutherford, recently improved Li Jinzhe and Henderson, outdoor debut for World champ Menkov.
DT: Looks for Malachowski, but Wierig always ready for surprise.
Women
100 m: WL holder Ahye to debut at main circuit in Europe, but Bowie and Okagbare are also in top shape.
800 m: World champ Sum is undefeated so far, can she go also for a fast time? Poistogova also won her three races so far.
3000 m: Genzebe Dibaba vs Mercy Cherono, special duel, meet record 8:34.58 in danger.
TJ: Ibarguen vs Koneva, but the Colombian has the winning streak since Olympic Games final in London. Can she go for first 15 m of the year?
SP: Never easy, but this one should be, Adams winning series to continue. She trains in Switzerland, will she attack her WL 20.46.
JT: All the best here, WL holder Stahl, big star Spotakova, Diamond Race leader Ratej, national record holders Mickle and Palameika.
4×100 m: UBS Trophy with European teams: Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, France, Ukraine and two home squads. EL 42.75 under threat.
Others: Briton sub 10 sprinter James Dasaolu runs 100 m B-race with Jamaican Michael Frater. Relay members will compete in lower races in women 100 m with Eurochamp Sailer or Ukrainian Povkh.
