by Alfonz Juck
Men 1500 m the highlight
ZURICH (SUI): Olympics in more than two hours, sold out Weltklasse meet expects fireworks in women 100 m and from Duplantis, also the rematch from Paris in men 1500 m is something special. World record pace set for men 1500 m and women 5000 m. In total 12 Paris Olympic winners, 12 reigning World champions and 13 European champions at the Letzigrund Stadium. Also 12 individual Swiss athletes in the main programme is a kind of record.
Short previews
Women
100m: Alfred vs. Richardson, this could be one of the highlights, also Asher-Smith, Tia Clayton and DL leader Davis on the field.
400m (non-DL): Jæger versus Gogl-Walli, European U18 champion Kuś also in the start list.
800m: In-shape Moraa and rest of the field, including Maloney, Lamote and Reekie for six remaining DL Final places. Sarna from Poland should go 56 and target is sub 1:56.
5000m: Olympic champion Chebet against the rest of the field led by Taye, Gebreselama and Wudu, Grøvdal as European leader. Pace is set for 14 minutes, that means actually WR.
100m hurdles: High-quality field with Russell, Samba-Mayela, Camacho-Quinn and 2 other Paris finalists in an Olympic rematch.
400m hurdles: Cockrell versus Clayton; Little and Maraval also compete.
High jump: Mahuchikh for fourth consecutive DL win in a field of all four Paris medallists clashing for three remaining final places, home jumper Lang in her last Weltklasse appearance.
4x100m (non-DL): Switzerland against Netherlands and Belgium.
Men
200m: Tebogo challenged by Bednarek, Kerley, Knighton and Ogando; how fast he can go?
400m (non-DL): Ingvaldsen and Haydock-Wilson against home sprinters.
1500m: Highly anticipated race and Olympic rematch with Ingebrigtsen, Kerr and Hocker; Nuguse, T.Cheruiyot and fresh road mile WR holder Giles also in the field. Target pace is World record.
3000m (non-DL): Six Paris finalists, led by Krop and Yihune. Here the targer is sub 7:30.
110m hurdles: Holloway against other Paris medallists including DL leader Roberts; Zhoya and Simonelli for securing DL Final positions.
400m hurdles: Six Olympic finalists, Warholm, targeting his first DL win this season, against Dos Santos; Ducos for first DL points, Clarke and Samba fighting for DL Final spots.
Pole vault (non-DL): All medallists from Paris, led by Duplantis; Lavillenie also in the field.
Long jump: Olympic champion Tentoglou and next top 4 from Paris in an open clash for DL Final spots, decathlon Olympic champion Rooth also competes.
Shot put: Top six from Paris, led by Crouser; Enekwechi and Campbell for securing DL Final positions.
Javelin throw: Peters and Weber are favourites, Yego fighting for DL Final place.
