by Alfonz Juck
PARIS (FRA): The next stage of the Diamond League takes place at a fully booked Charlety Stadium. Two world record attacks are expected, a possible surprise from Faith Kipyegon at 5000m, and a season-opening for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone; these are the main issues for Friday evening in Paris.Short PreviewsWomen200m – Five athletes have broken the 22 second-barrier in the line-up, and five also sub-22:40 this year. Gabrielle Thomas is the fastest on lifetime and season’s best form (21.61/22.21).
400m – Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone makes her long-awaited season debut against Marileidy Paulino and Salwa Eid Naser, who have already clocked 48.98 and 49.78 in 2023. Anna Hall is a late addition to the field. The meeting record of 49.15 set by Tonique Williams-Darling in 2004 could be vulnerable.
800m – Keely Hodgkinson makes her outdoor season’s debut against a field including world indoor champion Ajee’ Wilson and Catriona Bisset as the fastest with a season-best of 1:58.32.
5000m – Race of the night? The race features world record-holders in the 1500m (Faith Kipyegon), 5000m and 10,000m (Letesenbet Gidey), 3000m steeplechase (Beatrice Chepkoech) and 5km (Ejgayehu Taye).
High jump – With Yaroslava Mahuchikh not competing, who will take advantage? Vashti Cunningham and Nicola Olyslagers are the most likely beneficiaries, who cleared 198 this year. Anna Hall also competes.
Pole vault – Olympic and world champion Katie Moon is the vaulter to beat on current form, targeting her third Diamond League title this season. Tina Sutej is the main challenger.
Shot put – Will Chase Ealey (20.06) return to form after finishing last in Hengelo? She is one of two throwers to surpass 20 meters this year, along with Maggie Ewen (20.45).
Discus – Season’s debut for Sandra Perkovic up against Olympic champion and archival Valarie Allman. World Champion Bin Feng does not compete.
Javelin – Olympic champion Shiying Liu and world champion Kelsey-Lee Barber, European champion Elina Tzengko and surprise world leader Sigrid Borge are all part of the field.
Men
100m – Much awaited outdoor season’s debut for Marcell Jacobs against a field which includes world 200m champion Noah Lyles and world leader at 9.84 Ferdinand Omanyala, as the fastest man Fred Kerley is not there.
800m – In the last event of the night, last year’s winner Benjamin Robert takes on a field that includes world champion Emmanuel Korir and world leader Emmanuel Wanyonyi, with six athletes with sub-1:46 this season.
Two miles (non-DL) – Jakob Ingebrigtsen is due to attack the world’s best of 7:58.61 set by Daniel Komen in 1997.
110m hurdles – Grant Holloway looks set to extend his win streak with Rasheed Broadbell and Hansle Parchment not competing. Jason Joseph also competes after improving to 13.10 Florence on Friday.
400m hurdles – CJ Allen has the fastest season’s best of 47.91, but Abderrahman Samba and Kyron McMaster will challenge if they are near to their best.
3000m steeplechase – The word is Lamecha Girma will chase Saif Saeed Shaheen’s world record of 7:53.63 in his first steeple since Oregon 2022. Soufiane El Bakkali is a notable absentee.
Long jump – Miltiadis Tentoglou is the big favorite, although Cuba’s Maykel Masso has the best season’s best at 836m. Simon Ehammer in his first serious summer competition in the long jump.
Triathlon (non-DL) – Kevin Mayer headlines the special triathlon competition, which is comprised of the shot put, long jump, and 110m hurdles.
