London 2017 WC Diary: EME News’ event by event previews

Full Stadium (60 000) – Bolt´s farewell – During the week only evening sessions – Interesting doubles Van Niekerk, Miller-Uibo, Ayana, G. Dibaba, Farah – First time without official Russian team – Debut of women 50 km walk – Record number of entered athletes 2034 – 4000 volunteers – New event presentation elements – Medal ceremonies for athletes who will get it after doping discqualifications – All walking events on one day – 48 events for first time – Huge anti-doping operation via newly established Athletics Integrity Unit – In 11 events the title defender is not competing.

100 m: Bolts last one, he is getting better every day, could Coleman after long NCAA season be the danger for him? How strong is Blake, reportedly fully healthy.

200 m: After De Grasse out it looks even more clearer for Wayde´s double. How tired will be Makwala?

400 m: Van Niekerk knows what he needs to do. Very fast time is not out of the question. Kerley and Makwala for other medals.

800 m: Amos and Korir unbeaten in last races. Who will be stronger in last meters? Dark horse is Bett.

1500 m: Can somebody here spoil the Kenyan party? Manangoi the new champ? In slow race predictions are forgotten.

5000 m: Barega is 17 years younger than Sir Mo. Experience and top tactics should prevail.

10 000 m: Here Kenyans making plans to attack Sir Mo, but the full stadium will be against it.

Marathon: Kenya vs Ethiopia, two teams against each other. Who would you bet on? So open. Maybe Wanjiru.

Steeple: How healthy is Conseslus? Jager and El Bakkali ready against other Kenyans.

110mH: McLeod in technically clean race looks to be clear. Strong group behind him for other medals headed by Shubenkov and Merritt.

400mh: Time for new generation, McMaster, Warholm, Futch, Samba, but experience is on Clement´s side.

HJ: Barshim is unbeaten and in shape, surprise possible from new contenders Przybylko and Lysenko. Drouin fully healthy and ready?

PV: New contenders for top place Kendricks and Lisek, but Lavillenie knows how to do the job.

LJ: Manyonga fully healthy would be clear, is he in that position? Very motivated is 2013 Champ Menkov.

TJ: Taylor vs Claye, rest will fight for bronze.

SP: Four this year over 22 m, when that last time happened? But Crouser looks to be in his own class.

DT: Although Stahl showed impressive shape this looks to be very open, new guard (Dacres, Gudzius) against past heroes (Harting, Malachowski).

HT: Fajdek will pay attention in qualification and if all ok he should be unbeatable in the final. Nowicki for silver but bronze very open.

JT: German 90 m party (Rohler, Vetter) at meet record level but there is a strong group of attackers headed by Vadlejch.

Dec: Mayer fully ready for his first decathlon of the year, Freimuth and Shkurenyov scored high, Warner not to be underestimated, Hardee was a champion already.

20kmw: Asian walkers with usual fast times, but Bird-Smith and Linke are the winning types. And we are not forgetting home Bosworth with title defender Lopez.

50kmw: Top 3 favorites Diniz, Tallent and Heffernan without full race at the distance this year, is that their advantage against Haukenes and Augustyn who have 2017 top times?

4×100 m: Jamaica with Forever Fastest should get it.

4×400 m: Is Botswana ready to challenge the US team?

100 m: With her best spikes and healthy Thompson should be unbeatable. Solid even group behind her, possibly with Bowie on top.

200 m: Schippers title defence could be spoiled by Bowie and Miller-Uibo.

400 m: Miller-Uibo looks clear, but we did not see much from Felix and Hayes, they can surprise her.

800 m: Semenya said she can be faster than in Monaco, that should be enough for a preview.

1500 m: Superb fight Hassan, Kipyegon, Genzebe. Also strong Europeans Muir and Klosterhalfen will make it even more interesting.

5000 m: Obiri was running all season in own class, that should be enough said.

10 000 m: How ready are Ayana and Tirunesh, that is the crucial question here. Otherwise a group of contenders for win.

Marathon: Normally you would say Edna Kiplagat or Mare Dibaba, but that would be too easy and this distance is not easy, lets stay with very open situation.

Steeple: Is Chespol having enough courage for the fight against older runners Jebet and Kiyeng? Chepkoech with recent flat improvement the dark horse. Meet record should happen.

100H: WR holder Harrison knows the track, she is expected to get it. After her anything can happen.

400H: Hejnova plans against US medal sweep.

HJ: Lasitskene for gold, Licwinko for silver but who for bronze?

PV: Stefanidi is the obvious choice, but Morris and Suhr have 5 meters, Silva is title defender and Bradshaw at home.

LJ: Spanovic was injured, so Bartoletta and Reese are having top chances.

TJ: Ibarguen is not that dominant as in the past seasons, but honestly only Rojas can beat her.

SP: Gong leads the lists, Carter is Olympic winner but Saunders is the new generation.

DT: Perkovic on good day is unbeatable. Perkovic on bad day nearly unbeatable. Cubans want attack.

HT: Wlodarczyk one-woman show. Here WR possible. Medal for US (Berry)? Dark horse Kopron.

JT: Spotakova vs. Kolak is the expected duel. Experience against young blood.

Hep: Thiam is the clear choice, but KJT will be supported heavily by the public.

20kmw: Time for China, Italy or Mexico?

50kmw: Will Henriques go only for gold or also for WR?

4×100 m: USA clear on the paper, but the exchange chemistry…Jamaica is waiting.

4×400 m: Here no discussion, US clear, fight for other medals.