by Alfonz Juck
Karston Warholm, Doha 2019, photo by World Athletics
The sixth Diamond League meeting in 2021 is Monaco Herculis DL, to be held Friday, July 9, 2021. Karsten Warholm and Yulimar Rojas will be two of the huge starts at the Stade Louis II.
Warholm, Rojas, deep 100 m men field
MONACO (MON): World records are under threat via Karsten Warholm, Sifan Hassan and Yulimar Rojas. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce takes on Shaunae Miller-Uibo, while Tajay Gayle v Juan Miguel EchevarrÃa and Miltiadis Tentoglou is another exciting clash. Timothy Cheruiyot and Jakob Ingebrigtsen line up on the track famous for fast 1500m times, and they will not meet in Tokyo and that makes it more interesting.
Short previews
Men
100m – The world’s fastest this year, Trayvon Bromell, makes a rare appearance in Europe (actually his last 100 m track race in Europe was at Herculis 2015 where he was DQ). Akani Simbine could pose a threat after his recent African record, while Fred Kerley and Marcel Jacobs are other contenders.
800m – World No.1 Clayton Murphy wants revenge against Elliot Giles after his loss in Poland this week. Nijel Amos will compete in Europe for the first time this year, while world No.2 Patrick Dobek is in his first DL 800m.
1500m – Timothy Cheruiyot aims to show he is back to his best on a track that has seen 18 of the fastest 40 times in history. Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Stewart McSweyn are the other in-form athletes. The plan for the pacemakers is 54.0 and 1:54.5 with the first sub 3:30 of the year as the aim.
3000m steeplechase – Bikile Takele looks to improve on his second in Florence, while Hillary Bor seeks his second DL win of the year. But Lamech Girma should be the name to watch. World lead to go.
400m hurdles – Karsten Warholm is back for the first time since breaking the world record in Stockholm. Kyron McMaster wants to make up for his fall in Sweden as he continues his rivalry with Alison dos Santos.
High jump – Joint world leaders Maksim Nedasekau and Ilya Ivanyuk face off again three days after their clash in Poland. Gianmarco Tamberi and Mikhail Akimenko could also be contenders.
Long jump – Tajay Gayle and Juan Miguel EchevarrÃa go head to head again after Stockholm, but World leader is Miltiadis Tentoglou and also in the field Marquis Dendy and Tobias Montler with World decathlon record-holder Kevin Mayer.
Women
200m – Shaunae Miller-Uibo aims to bounce back from recent defeat, but Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce should be favourite. Tamara Clark and Marie-Josee Ta Lou are also in the field.
800m – Rose Almanza aims to follow up on her Stockholm win against world champion Halimah Nakaayi and Natoya Goule. British duo Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie are there too. The pace is set for 57 through 400m.
1500m – Sifan Hassan and Faith Kipyegon reunite after their 3:53 duel in Florence with another fast time on the cards. Freweyni Hailu to be the surprise.
3000m steeplechase – Winfred Yavi is quickest in the field this year but Hyvin Kiyeng looks for his second successive win after her victory in Stockholm. Beatrice Chepkoech (returns to the place of her WR), Gesa Krause and Emma Coburn add to the quality. First sub 9 of the year very possible.
Pole vault – The top four in the year this year assemble in the shape of Katie Nageotte, Anzhelika Sidorova, Holly Bradshaw and Sandi Morris.
Triple jump – The world record is under threat as world champion Yulimar Rojas takes to the runway. Shanieka Ricketts and Liadagmis Povea could threaten the 15m barrier.
Javelin – World No.1 Maria Andrejczyk aims to overturn her loss to Christin Hussong in Oslo. Nikola Ogrodnikova could challenge too.
