Preview of Sainsburys Anniversary Games, Day 1! from Alfons Juck, EME News

Usain Bolt, photo by Kevin Morris Photography

So, this afternoon, I was asked to do a short radio interview on how important that Usain Bolt has become to the sport. It is a yes and no thing. When Usain did not show at Paris, the meet not only survived, but thrived.

It is not fair that Usain Bolt takes that mantle-to him or the sport. Bolt is loved and adored by fans because he makes the sport fun, and because media has chosen to

tell his story.

This weekend, for Usain Bolt, is pretty important. He wants to see that all systems are go. He is reportedly in fine shape. One of our keen observers, having watched several workouts, noted that we should expect a time in the 9.8 region for the 100 meters.

That is good.

Bolt and Farah
LONDON (GBR): The first day of the SainsburyÂ´s Anniversary Games IAAF Diamond League sees athletics return to the Olympic stadium after a one year break. Two multiple champions from the 2012 Games return to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Mo Farah and Usain Bolt. Bolt’s participation is particularly anticipated after his recent withdrawals. All three hurdles races should entertain, with world champions looking for a good result ahead defending their respective titles in Beijing.

Event by Event

Men

100m (non-DL): Bolt returns after withdrawing from Paris and Lausanne. In his second 100m appearance of the season he will have heats to navigate through and Vicaut, Carter, Bailey and Rodgers as competition.

200m: A DR event with a different winner at each stop. Jobodwana leads the DR but is winless so far, although this could be his chance. Hughes won in Lausanne and will hope for a home win here.

3000m (non-DL): British fans hope for a Farah win to close the evening. Lagat and Alamirew, after a good performance in Monaco; will have other ideas.

110mH: Ortega is the world leader and carries good form, but he needs to make up a lot of DR points on an unfaltering Oliver, who will not compete here. The Cuban will also hope to bounce back after crashing into a hurdle at the IstvÃ¡n Gyulai Memorial. PML will hope to regain his early season form.

HJ: Barshim got back to business in Hungary, now he will hope to win his third DL of 2015 and extend his DR lead after two disappointments. To do this he will have to beat Kynard. NCAA champ Duffield will make his European debut.

PV (non-DL): Lavillenie is back on top and, depending on the weather, he could try to break his MR of 602. Barber comes straight from his Pan Am win. Wojciechowski looks the main threat.

DT: DR points are available in the next three DL stops, including here. Malachowski leads the DR and has the best current form. Athletes such as world leader Morgan and Mayer have gone further this year, but not recently.

Women

400m (non-DL): McCorory improved her WL in Monaco and starts a big favourite here. World champ Ohuruogo showed a big jump in shape at Herculis, can she improve further in front of her home crowd?

1500m (non-DL): British fans will hope for a win for Weightman. The USA have Moser and Mackey. Arafi and Tsegay are the African contenders.

100mH (non-DL): World champ Rollins shape is improving. Can she take her first big win of the season? Stowers and Harper Nelson will do their best to deny her. The MR of 12.52 could be beaten by all three.

400mH: Hejnova announced her return in Paris, can she win again here? Adekoya could be her main rival. An inconsistent Moline comes from a win in Hungary.

TJ: Ibarguen was won all four DLs so far, but someone else will have a chance this time as the Colombian is at PanAm Games. In fact the top two placers from each of the first four meets are not here opening the way up for Olympic champ Rypakova to take another win at this stadium.

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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