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Watch Shanghai Diamond League Meeting: Thompson Aims For Fast Time

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SHANGHAI, China, Sporting Alert — Olympic champions Elaine Thompson and Omar McLeod is among the Caribbean athletes down to compete at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting, the second of the series, on Saturday (13 May).

NBC, NBCSN or Universal HD will provide live television broadcast of all the Diamond League meetings, while to watch live online streaming coverage of the meet, fans in the US can subscribe to the NBC Sports Gold Track & Field Pass.

Live results and flash interviews will be available on the Diamond League website.

Looking To Go Quick

Elaine Thompson
Elaine Thompson of Jamaica. Photo by Getty Images

The Jamaican pair have both enjoyed a solid start to the 2017 season and are hunting quick times in China’s biggest city this weekend.

Thompson, the Olympic 100m and 200m champion at Rio 2016 last summer, aims to build on her half-lap victory in Doha, at the opening Diamond League meeting this season, when she competes in the women’s 100m on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has already posted a slightly wind-aided 10.75 seconds this season, and she is targeting a fast time in Shanghai.

In line to challenge Thompson this weekend are American Olympic 100m silver medallist Tori Bowie from Rio, Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Jamaicans Veronica Campbell-Brown and Christania Williams.

MurielleAhouré from the Ivory Coast will also start

McLeod Wants Sub-13s Time

JAAA Senior Trials 2016
2016 Prefontaine Classic: Omar McLeod Leads the Hurdles

Meanwhile, the men’s 110m hurdles will see Rio 2016 champion McLeod looking to build on the 13.04 secs he produced to win at Drake Relays in Des Moines two weeks ago.

The Jamaican ran a world leading 12:98 to win at this venue last year and he is plotting for another sub-13 seconds clocking at his “favourite meet.”

“I love this meet,” McLeod said at his press conference. “This is my favourite meet of all.

“This is where I ran my fastest time last year and I’ve opened up with 13.04 this time so the goal is to go sub-13 again, for sure.

“I don’t want to dwell on times too much, although it is in the back of my mind to get sub-13 tomorrow, but otherwise the goal is to go hard and have fun because when I do that the times take care of themselves.”

Last year’s Diamond League winner and Rio 2016 silver medallist, Orlando Ortega, as well as world record holder Aries Merritt of the US and countryman David Oliver and 2015 world silver medallist Hansle Parchment of Jamaica, are set to challenge the Olympic champion.

David Rudisha of Kenya
David Rudisha of Kenya with his flag at the world championships

More Action In Shanghai

Elsewhere at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting, reigning world and Olympic champion David Rudisha of Kenya will contest the men’s 800m against countryman Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich.

The women’s 400m race will see Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas battling with Jamaicans Stephenie Ann McPherson, Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby and Novlene Williams-Mills, as well as USA’s Natasha Hastings.

World record holder Renaud Lavillenie of France will look to get his outdoor campaign on a winning note when he competes in the men’s pole vault in Shanghai.

The women’s Shot Put will see two women who have already thrown over 19-metres, Hungarian Anita Marton, who was second in Doha and Daniella Bunch of the US — taking on Chinese pair and home favourites, Gong Lijiao, the reigning World silver medallist and teammate Gao Yang.

2017 Diamond League Series Kicks off in Doha: Follow Live

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DOHA, Qatar — Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson and South Africa’s Caster Semenya are among sixteen reigning World and Olympic champions scheduled to kick off the 2017 IAAF Diamond League series in Doha on Friday, April 5.

Follow live results and updates from Doha | All 14 meets will be televised live on TV in the US on NBC, NBCSN or Universal HD.

Thompson v Schippers Over 200m

In one of the highlighted matchups in the Qatar capital, Thompson, who won the women’s 100m and 200m sprint double at Rio 2016 last summer, will go head-to-head with Dutch star and world champion Dafne Schippers in the women’s 200m.

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica competes for UTECH
Elaine Thompson of Jamaica competes for UTECH

Both sprinters have already shown solid early season form, with Schippers already posting a time of 22.29 seconds in the half-lap event and 10.95 over the 100m.

Thompson, meanwhile, has clocked a slightly wind-aided 10.75 in the 100m a few weeks ago, while the Jamaican also impressed when anchoring her nation to victory at the recently concluded Penn Relays.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion over 200m, as well as Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Ivory Coast, the fourth place finisher in Rio in the 100m and 200m finals, will also lineup in the event.

Dibaba To Test Semenya In 800m

Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia
Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia celebrates

In the meantime, Semenya, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic 800m champion, will battle with world 1500m record holder Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, who will be making her debut in the two-lap event.

Semenya, without giving anything away, is excited about running her own race against Dibaba.

“I run races in my style, and not how others will run theirs,” she said at the press conference.

“Obviously she doesn’t know my race plan and I don’t know hers. She is a great runner and I’m really excited about it.”

Kenyan Olympic bronze medallist Margaret Nyambui and Olympic finallist Joanna Jozwik of Poland, who led the world this year during the world indoor season with a time of 1:59.29, are also expected to challenge for the win.

The Changing Of The Guards

The men’s 100m will feature some of the season campaigners against some of the top upcoming stars.

Pan Am Games
Pan Am Games: Andre De Grasse

Triple Olympic medallist Andre de Grasse of Canada and South African Akani Simbine, who has already posted five sub-10 seconds this season, will battle against 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin of the US and Jamaica’s former world record-holder Asafa Powell.

American Ronnie Baker, who ran unbeaten during the indoor season over 60m and clocked a personal best of 9.99 seconds to open his outdoor season, as well as 2003 world champion Kim Collins of St. Kitts and Nevis, are also included in the event.

Harrison Looking To Go Fast Again

The women’s 100m hurdles features world record-holder Kendra Harrison of the US and she will be looking to build on her world leading time of 12.56 seconds at the 2017 Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, over the weekend.

“I want to run fast and the conditions here are good for that,” she said. “It’s nice and hot.

“I heard that the track is really fast and hard so I’m really excited about that.”

Olympic silver medallist Nia Ali of USA, in addition to Cindy Ofili of Great Britain, an Olympic finallist, Germany’s Cindy Roleder, the European champion and world silver medallist, as well as Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds and USA’s Sharika Nelvis, will all be challenging Harrison.

Taylor Hunts Another Doha Win

In action in the field, American two-time world and Olympic champion Christian Taylor will seek a third Doha win when he features in the men’s triple jump.

Taylor will be making his third appearance in the event in the 2017 outdoor campaign, following his season best of 17.26m in Azusa, California, and his 16.93m performance to win at the Drake Relays last weekend.

The 26-year-old is set to battle with China’s Dong Bin, who is the world indoor champion and Olympic bronze medallist in the event.

Christian Taylor in triple jump
America Olympic champion Christian Taylor takes part in the men’s triple jump

USA’s Omar Craddock, who was third behind Taylor at Drake Relays and Alexis Copello, who won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships while competing for Cuba before switching to represent Azerbaijan, are also capable of challenging for a podium spot.

More Action In The Field Events

In the women’s shot put, USA’s Olympic champion Michelle Carter leads a solid field, which also includes Hungary’s current world leader Anita Marton, who is the Olympic bronze medallist.

Marton, the European indoor champion, has already thrown 19.63m this term.

USA’s Brittany Smith and veteran Cleopatra Borel of Trinidad and Tobago will also lineup in the event.

The men’s high jump competition sees home hero Mutaz Barshim seeking his first ever victory at the Doha Diamond League

Barshim, who is the Olympic silver medallist and two-time Diamond Trophy winner, enters this series opener as the world leader with a mark of 2.35m.

USA’s Erik Kynard, the 2016 Diamond Trophy winner and the 2012 Olympic silver medallist, as well as Great Britain’s London Games bronze medal winner Robbie Grabarz of Great Britain, will also contest the event.

Elsewhere at the 2017 Doha Diamond League meet the 400m field on the men’s side will feature current world leader Steven Gardiner from the Bahamas and he will take on 2008 Olympic champion LaShawn Merritt of the US and Botswana’s Karabo Sibanda.

Relaxed Bolt Aiming To Win At London Diamond League Meet

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LONDON, Sporting Alert – All eyes will be on Usain Bolt when the sprint king laces up at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London on Friday evening. Live Results Page and Heat Sheets.

Bolt, who withdrew from the Jamaica National Championships with a hamstring injury earlier this month, will make his 200m season debut at the venue where he landed his triple Olympic crown four years ago.

READY TO CONFIRM FITNESS

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The world record holder of both the 100m and 200m dashes has been training and receiving treatment on his hamstring and despite the uncertainty over his fitness for yet another major upcoming championships, the track and field global icon is expected to be ready for Brazil.

In fact, Bolt, who owns a season’s best of 9.88 seconds for the 100m, says he’s aiming for a victory at this year’s Müller Anniversary Games, but was not focusing too much on his time.

“I am here to win so that’s my focus and hopefully everything goes as smooth as I want tomorrow,” he said.

“I am always excited to compete here in London; it’s going to be a lot of fun so I’m looking forward to it.”

In London on Friday, the six-time Olympic champion will take on countryman Nickel Ashmeade, who was a double silver medallist at the Jamaica Trials earlier this month, as well as Canada’s Brendan Rodney, who recently improved his personal best to 19.96 seconds when winning at his country’s national championships.

Alonso Edward, the 2009 world silver medallist from Berlin, Germany, is the ninth fastest this season over the half-lap and the Panamanian has been running consistently, although he’s yet to break 20-seconds in 2016.

Also looking to spoil Bolt’s return to the Olympic stadium are Great Britain sprinters Adam Gemili and Danny Talbot in addition to France’s Christophe Lemaitre.

HARRISON LOOKING TO FORGET ABOUT TRIALS

Also suiting up on Friday’s first day of the two-day meeting is American Kendra Harrison, who will feature in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Harrison has been the most dominant women’s sprint hurdler this season – posting eight of her top 10 career-best times in 2016, while becoming the second fastest-ever in the 100m hurdles when she blasted to 12.24 seconds in Eugene, in May.

However, the 23-year-old missed out on a place on the American team to the Rio Olympics after finishing sixth in the finals and the former Kentucky star is hoping for a quick bounce back.

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She admits that it’s devastating to miss out on her first Olympics, but remains hungry for the world record.

The American is also looking to win the Diamond League series in her event, so as to secure early passage into next year’s IAAF World Championships.

“I feel like I’m in good shape at the moment but I was obviously disappointed to not make the Olympic team, which was my goal,” Harrison said.

“But I can’t just stop my season; I’ll be going for the world record this season and getting as many Diamond League points as possible.

“That will make me continue to train hard and motivate me.”

Stockholm IAAF Diamond League Live; Kendra Harrison Chases WR?

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STOCKHOLM, Sporting Alert – American Kendra Harrison goes in search of another fast time at the Stockholm IAAF Diamond League meeting on Thursday evening (16).

Follow Live Results Here | Watch Live Streaming on beIn Sport Connect

KENDRA HARRISON WR?

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Harrison has been one of the highlighted athletes on the circuit this season, after posting some very fast times and the former Kentucky and NCAA star will be hoping to extend her fruitful run on the term when she lines up in the women’s 100m hurdles.

So far this season, the 23-year-old has flashed to a world-leading 12.24 seconds, the second fastest time on the world all-time list, along with a host of other notable fast times as well.

That 2016 world-leading performance sits second only behind the long-standing world record of 12.21, which was set by Yordanka Donkova 28-years-ago.

Heading into the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm, Harrison can also boast about times of 12.36, 12.42 and 12.46, which are all good enough to challenge the meeting record of 12.42, set by American legend Gail Devers.

Harrison also has a time of 12.56 seconds, and she is averaging 12.48 seconds from all five outdoor competitions this season.

Lining up against the favourite on Thursday will be her compatriots Nia Ali, the World indoor champion and Queen Harrison.

JEBET CHASING WORLD RECORD?

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There could also be a world record attempt in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, with Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet looking to challenge the standard of 8:58.81.

The 19-year-old sensation has already produced the second fastest time ever for the event in Eugene last month – clocking an impressive 8:59.97 and doing it on her own.

Jebet is expected to have some company this time, in Stockholm, though, and it could come from Tunisia’s Habiba Ghribi, the London 2012 Olympic Games champion, who is set to make her first appearance this season.

The event will also be boosted by the addition of the London 2012 Olympic silver medallist Sofia Assefa of Ethiopia, who was fifth to Jebet in Eugene with a seasonal best of 9:18.16.

Also competing in Thursday’s Diamond League meeting are Kenya’s David Rudisha, the world record holder for the 800m, men’s pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie of France and American Olympic long jump champion Brittney Reese.

Birmingham Diamond League Meeting Live

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BIRMINGHAM, Great Britain, Sporting Alert – The IAAF Diamond League series shifts to Birmingham on Sunday for the sixth stop on the journey and another thriller could be on the cards.

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Live streaming coverage is available on beIN Sports Connect, with action set to begin at 8:30 am ET. For those with an UK IP address, you can also watch the coverage live on BBC 1. Follow Live Results Updates and Flash Quotes 

More than 60 current major championships medallists are listed among the Olympic hopefuls set to compete, as the preparations for Rio continue.

One of the highlighted athletes on the schedule for Sunday is American hurdler Kendra Harrison, who only recently became the second-fastest woman in history over the 100m hurdles.

At the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, late last month, Harrison posted a stomping 12.24 seconds to dominate her rivals and set a new U.S. record in the event.

The former NCAA star will be hoping to extend those form in Birmingham, this weekend against 2013 IAAF world Championships gold medallist Brianna Rollins, who previously held the American record, another American Dawn Harper-Nelson, London 2012 Olympic Games champion Sally Pearson of Australia and Great Britain’s reigning European champion Tiffany Porter.

Olympic champion and world leader Kirani James of Grenada leads the starters in the men’s 400m and he will come up against fellow countryman Bralon Taplin, Isaac Makwala of Botswana, American Vernon Norwood and Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith in the race for the title.

Also set to compete are Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford, Trayvon Bromell, Andre De Grasse, Ameer Webb, Dafne Schippers, Georganne Moline, Eilidh Doyle and David Rudisha.

Olympic and world champion Farah will compete in the men’s 3000m, which is not a Diamond League scoring event, but the Britain distance star is looking forward to racing at home.

“I love Birmingham – I’m hoping I can give something back to the fans. I want to go out there and just enjoy it. We have strong fields so it should be a good event,” he said.

“I’m still hungry and want to do the best that I can, that hasn’t changed one bit. I’m thankful to be injury-free and have the right mind set.

“My aim is to continue winning medals but the hardest thing is being away from my four kids. It breaks my heart but apart from that I’m still enjoying it and I love it.”

Rudisha steps down to race in the men’s 600m.

Rome IAAF Diamond League Live Results, Blogging

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ROME, Sporting Alert – The IAAF Diamond League series shifts to Rome, Italy on Thursday 2 June and you can follow live results updates and live blogging updates from the main events.

Follow live and complete results | Live and updated event scores | Flash Athletes Quotes

Thursday’s meeting will be the fifth stop in the series and a number of event leaders and close contenders will be in action, as they seek to win their respective categories at the end of the 2016 campaign.

Among the highlighted athletes down to compete at the meeting are Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson, USA’s English Gardner, Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana, Caterine Ibarguen of Colombia, Caster Semenya of South Africa, Poland’s Piotr Malachowski, Ameer Webb of USA and Alonso Edward of Panama.

American Justin Gatlin will also be in action, but his event, the men’s 100 metres will not be a scoring event in Rome.

Instead, the double IAAF World Championships silver medallist behind Usain Bolt from Beijing 2015, who has won all his races thus far on the season, will be targeting the world-leading time of 9.91 seconds.

The women’s race will see an on form Gardner seeking to backup her impressive 10.81 secs performance from the Prefontaine Classic over the weekend, against world 200m silver medalist Thompson, who beat the American star at the Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston, early last month.

In the women’s 800m, 2009 world champion Semenya has been untouched so far this season and the South African will start as the favourite to add to her winning form, which includes running a world-leading 1:56.64 in Rabat on 22 May.

Elsewhere at the Diamond League meeting in Rome, a tasty women’s triple jump field has been assembled, with two-time world champion and event leader Ibarguen going head-to-head with world indoor champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela and Kazakhstan Olympic champion Olga Rypakova.

Three-time European champion and Olympic bronze medallist Olha Saladukha of Ukraine and Jamaican duo Kimberly Williams and Shanieka Thomas are also listed to compete in the event.

Ethiopian star Almaz Ayana will be the highlighted athlete in the women’s 5000m, and rightfully so after she posted 14:16.31 at the Rabat Diamond League.

In other events, Malachowski will seek to extend his good run in the men’s discus throw against Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres, Robert Harting of Germany, Victor Hogan of South Africa and Philip Milanov of Belgium.

Webb of USA who is in good form this season, will go head-to-head with Edward, who is seeking to win successive Diamond League half lap overall crown, while world champion Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa headline the list of starters in the men’s 400m,

Gatlin Wins, Rudisha Shocked At Shanghai Diamond League

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SHANGHAI, China, Sporting Alert – Double World Championships silver medallist Justin Gatlin blew away his challengers to win the men’s 100m in 9.95 seconds at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Shanghai on Saturday (14).

Gatlin, who missed a couple of training session with a toe injury, looked smooth over the opening metres, and although the gap closed a bit in the last part of the race, the American was never tested, as he posted a season’s best for 2016.

“I came out here to execute,” Gatlin said. “I know this being an Olympic year, it is a long season.

“My coach and I have a plan.”

Qatar’s world-leader Femi Ogunode was second in 10.07, with Michael Rodgers of USA taking third in 10.10.

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Rudisha Well Beaten In 800

The shocker at the meet, however, came in the men’s 800m where world record holder David Rudisha was well beaten into fifth place after being overtaken by four runners in the closing metres.

“I am so upset! I lost two-seconds because of the start,” a very disappointed Rudisha said.

“There were high jumpers in the lane and they start.”

Rudisha was hoping to break 1:44.00 in his opening Diamond League meeting for 2016, but the Olympic champion had to settle for 1:46.24.

The win went to Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich, who ran 1:45.68 in a very tactical race, which resembled that of a major championships, as no one really went out for a fast time – preferring to go for the top points instead.

In fact, it was a Kenyan top three sweep for the event, with Robert Biwott getting second in 1:45.84 and Alfred Kipketer, 1:45.93.

Meanwhile, after a long delay for two false-starts, Omar McLeod extended his outstanding form this season by posting another world-leading time and became the first to dip under 13-seconds in the men’s 110m hurdles after clocking 12.98 secs for victory.

The Jamaican World Indoor champion who came into the meeting with a 2016 world best of 13.05, improved that time and came within .01 seconds off his personal best.

Once again, it was another Jamaican, Hansle Parchment, who followed McLead home in 13.12 secs.

Former Cuban Orlando Ortega, now competing for Spain was the first of the two hurdlers to be disqualified for jumping the gun before world record holder and Olympic champion Aries Merritt got kicked out for the same reason.

Despite the electronic evidence, the American didn’t think he did anything wrong and stayed on the track until he finally decided to leave the starting line.

Miller Too Strong

World silver medallist Shaunae Miller powered her to victory in the women’s 400m in 50.45 secs, after starting very strongly to set the tone.

The Bahamian sprinter went about her business very fast over the first 200m to take an advantage heading into the home straight.

And although Jamaica’s Stephanie Ann McPherson challenged her at the top of home straight, Miller had enough to put away her rivals in the last 60m.

McPherson held on for second place in a season’s best time of 50.98, with American Natasha Hastings taking third place in 51.10.

World bronze medal winner Shericka Jackson of Jamaica finished down the track, sixth in 53.02.

Improving Tinsley Holds On For Win

American Olympic silver medallist Michael Tinsley clocked a season’s best time of 48.90 secs to win the men’s 400m hurdles after maintaining his form in the closing metres to hold off his rivals.

Tinsley’s previous season’s best was 49.36, done at the Drake Relays on 29 April.

Following the American home were Poland’s Patryk Dobek, who ran 49.01 for a season’s best and Bahamian World Championships bronze medallist from Beijing 2015, Jeffery Gibson, who finished strong for third with a time of 49.11.

World Championships gold medallist Nicholas Bett of Kenya faded to sixth in 49.31.

Kipyegon In Top Form, As Records Go

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya sprinted away from her rivals with a 43.5 secs final 300m on her way to setting a meeting and national record, as well as a world-leading time of 3:56.82 to dominate the women’s 1500m.

Her compatriot Hellen Obiri was further back in second with a time of 3:59.34, a season’s best, while third went to Ethiopia’s Dawit Seyaum in 3:59.87.

American 2011 world champion Jenny Simpson struggled on the day and finished sixth, despite improving her best time in 2016 to 4:04.56.

In the women’s 200m, 2013 World Championships 100m and 200m silver medallist Murielle Ahouré of the Ivory Coast won the battle with Veronica Campbell-Brown in the last 60m to take first place in 22.72.

Campbell-Brown, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic 200m champion, came into the final 100m with the edge, but the Jamaican was unable to match Ahoure’s determination over the last 60m, and fell back to second in 22.82, well off her season’s best of 22.29.

Several WL Marks Established In Doha Diamond League Opener

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DOHA, QATAR, Sporting Alert – The 2016 IAAF Diamond League opened with some sizzling performances, with world-leading marks being set in the sprints, distance and in the field.

Fast Times To Start The Diamond League

The women’s 100m produced the three fastest time for 2016 in one race, as Tori Bowie, Dafne Schippers and Veronica Campbell-Brown all went under 11-seconds and quicker than the previous world-leading of 10.95 by USA’s Jenna Prandini.

World Championships bronze medallist Bowie held her form to out-lean Schippers and win the event in a personal best equalling and 2016 world-leading time of 10.80secs (+0.7 m/s).

“This being an Olympic year, I’m eagerly looking forward to this outdoor season,” Bowie said.

“I feel I’m a much better runner now than I was last season.”

Schippers, the 2015 IAAF World Championships 200m gold medal winner from Beijing, was second in 10.83, with Jamaica’s three-time Olympic champion Campbell-Brown running a season’s best of 10.91 for third place.

“It was close to my personal best, but my start was bad,” revealed Schippers.

Merritt Good Form Continues

In the men’s 400m, American LaShawn Merritt, running in the first race at the meeting, clocked 44.41 seconds for victory, after using a very strong opening 200m to set up a lead heading into the homestretch.

“I feel good,” Merritt revealed. “I executed the race as I wanted to.

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“Now I’ll go back to training and keep working hard.”

Merritt came off the final bend with a lead of three metres, and although he was challenged for a brief moment, the American never looked worried as he powered home to another fast time this season.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Cedenio finished strong to take second place in a season’s best time of 44.68, with third going to Qatar’s Abdelalelah Haroun in 44.81.

Olympic silver medallist Luguelín Santos from the Dominican Republic, still struggling with his early season form, faded to last in 46.53.

The men’s 200m also produced a fast time, with American Ameer Webb clocking a big personal 19.85 secs for first place.

He got home ahead of Alonso Edward of Panama (20.06) and Qatar’s Femi Ogunode (20.10).

American Walter Dix ran a season’s best 20.14 for fourth place.

Jamaica’s Omar McLeod ran a world-leading time of 13.05 secs to win the men’s 110m hurdles, despite hitting the ninth hurdle hard and fell out of rhythm.

The world indoor champions held his form to get home just ahead of countryman Hansle Parchment, who ran 13.10 for second place and Spain’s Orlando Ortega (13.12).

No Match For Kiprop

Meanwhile, Kenya’s three-time 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop outperformed his rivals on his way to winning this event in a world-leading time of 3:32.15.

Kiprop, who came into the event as the leading contender for the top spot, was never really troubled throughout the race.

“I’m very happy with my performance and the race went exactly as I had planned,” the 2008 Olympic champion said. “I always enjoy running here.”

Kiprop defeated second place Elijah Motonei Manangoi, the world silver medallist by more than one seconds, but the Kenyan star wasn’t reading too much into the final result over his fellow countryman.

“I was more than 1.5 secs faster than Elijah,” he said, “but I wouldn’t read too much into it, as it’s still just the start of the season. There is still a long way to go.”

Semenya Looks Very Sharp

South Africa’s 2009 world champion Caster Semenya carried her early season form over into Europe as the powerful half-miler easily, put away a solid field to win the women’s 100m in a new world-leading time of 1:58.26.

Heading into the home straight, Semenya was two metres behind Ethiopia’s Habitam Alemu, but the South African comfortably switch gears to glide past the 19-year-old and open up a gap in the last 60m.

Alemu set a personal best of 1:59.14 for second place, with third going to 2013 IAAF World Championships gold medallist, Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya in a season’s best of 1:59.74.

In field event action, the women’s triple jump competition produced some impressive marks as well, with Colombian two-time world champion Caterine Ibarguen leaping out to a world-leading and meeting record of 15.04 in the fifth round to take the 10 points.

The 32-year-old Olympic silver medallist also finished her series with a 14.98m effort, which would have won the competition as well.

Yulimar Rojas, 20, the world indoor champion from Portland 2016 stretched out to a wind-aided 14.92m (+2.6 m/s) for second place, with London 2012 Olympic champion Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan finishing third with a season’s best mark of 14.61.

Doha IAAF Diamond League 2016 Live Stream; Preview, Starting Lists

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DOHA, QATAR, Sporting Alert – A large volume of past Olympic and IAAF World Championships champions and other medal winners will be in action at the opening IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha, on Friday.

No fewer than 38 gold medallists, from previous Olympic Games and World Championships, in addition to some 80 athletes which have won other medals, are gearing up to get the series underway in what is expected to be another great atmosphere inside the “Hamad Bin Suhaim Stadium.”

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Live streaming coverage will be available for USA viewers on beIN Sports and beIN Sports Connect – starting at 12:00 p.m. ET.

For those with an European IP address, they can head over to Eurosport for their online player live streaming coverage. For event by event starting

Among the leading athletes down to compete on Friday are sprinters Veronica Campbell-Brown, LaShawn Merritt, Dafne Schippers, longer distant runners Caster Semenya, Alma Ayana, Hurdlers Omar McLeod and Jamaican countryman Hansle Parchment, as well as jumpers Christian Taylor and Mutaz Essa Barshim.

After his outstanding start to the outdoor season this term, where he clocked a personal best of 9.99 secs for the 100m and opened his hurdles campaign with a world-leading 13.08 secs time in terrible conditions last week at the Drake Relays, everyone will now want to see what kind of performance McLeod will deliver on his Diamond League debut.

One of his main challengers could be his fellow countryman, Parchment, who is the Olympic bronze medallist.

World record holder Aries Merritt of USA will be hoping for a better performance this weekend after he was choppy at Drake and struggled to find his rhythm.

American veteran David Oliver will also be in the line-up.

The men’s 400m event could also produce a fast time, with American LaShawn Merritt, the second fastest man in the world this year, seeking to break his own meeting record of 44.19 secs.

The 2008 Olympic champion also has his eyes set on breaking the world record of 43.18 and he thinks this could be the year Michael Johnson’s 1999 outstanding mark goes.

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Lining up against the two-time world champion at the Diamond League meeting in Doha, on Friday will be great talents such as Olympic silver medallist Luguelín Santos from the Dominican Republic, Botswana’s Isaac Makwala, as well as Caribbean stars Machel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamian Steven Gardiner.

Elsewhere on the track, Schippers and Campbell-Brown headline the women’s 100m field, Barshim heads things up in the men’s high jump, while Taylor promises to deliver something big in the men’s triple jump – if it is needed to win the competition.

In other events, South Africa’s 2009 world champion Caster Semenya will look to continue her rich form this season when she battles with Kenya’s 2013 world champion Eunice Sum in the women’s 800m.

Semenya is the world-leader with a time of 1:58.45.

The women’s 3000m will see the speedy Alma Ayana of Ethiopia, the world 5000m champion from Beijing 2015, going up against the 10,000m champion from those championships, Vivian Cheruiyot.

This one could be quick.

Prefontaine IAAF Diamond League Sets Up Cracking Women’s 400m Field

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EUGENE, Oregon, Sporting Alert – Organizers of the Prefontaine Classic – IAAF Diamond League meeting – on Monday (25) announced a stellar line-up for the women’s 400m on 28 May.

The current setup sees six of the eight entrants owning sub-50 seconds personal bests while another sprinter has dipped under the 49 seconds barrier several already in her career.

The event pits two of USA’s top quarter-milers together, in Sanya Richards-Ross, who has a PB of 48.70 and Allyson Felix, who is capable of reaching those heights as well.

Based on form, Felix will enter the event as the favourite to take the win.

The 2015 IAAF World Championships gold medallist, Felix, was the leading women’s 400m runner last year and the American has revealed that her gold is to duplicate or better those achievements in 2016 as she tries to complete a rare 200/400 double at the Rio Olympics.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time World Championships gold medal collector, Richards-Ross sits seventh on the world all-time list with her personal best and has clocked four times faster than 49-seconds in her career.

The 31-year-old has been struggling with her form in the last few seasons, but the 2008 Olympic champion believes she’s slowly rounding back into good competitive shape and will be ready to challenge this summer.

Another strong competitor to look out for in the event is Bahamian world silver medallist Shaunae Miller, who has a personal best of 49.67 seconds and has already posted a seasonal best and world-leading time of 49.69.

Listed in the event as well is USA’s Francena McCorory, the 2015 IAAF Diamond League winner who also ran three of the top five times over the distant last term.

Americans Natasha Hastings and Quanera Hayes and Stephenie Ann McPherson of Jamaica are also confirmed to race in the event at this year’s Prefontaine Classic.

The only athlete in the field who is yet to run under 50-seconds is American Ashley Spencer.

She has a PB of 50.28.

Women’s 400 Meters Personal Best
Sanya Richards-Ross (USA) 48.70
Allyson Felix (USA) 49.26
Francena McCorory (USA) 49.48
Shaunae Miller (Bahamas) 49.67
Natasha Hastings (USA) 49.84
Quanera Hayes (USA) 49.91
Stephenie Ann McPherson (Jamaica) 49.92
Ashley Spencer (USA) 50.28

2016 Complete IAAF Diamond League List
6 May – Doha, QAT
14 May – Shanghai, CHN
22 May – Rabat, MAR
28 May – Eugene, USA
2 Jun – Rome, ITA
5 Jun – Birmingham, GBR
9 Jun – Oslo, NOR
16 Jun – Stockholm, SWE
15 Jul – Monaco, MON
22-23 Jul – London, GBR
25 Aug – Lausanne, SUI
27 Aug – Paris, FRA
1 Sep – Zurich, SUI
9 Sep – Brussels, BEL

Fraser-Pryce Rules Out Doubling Up At Worlds

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STOCKHOLM, Sporting Alert – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce once again proved that she will be the woman to beat over the 100m at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, next month after delivering another top class performance at the Diamond League meeting in Stockholm on Thursday.

The Jamaican sprint double champion from Moscow 2013, blew away a quality field to win the women’s 100m in 10.93 seconds – running into a slight headwind.

Fraser-Pryce got away to a confident start, but it was in the middle of the race where the Olympic champion separated herself from the field, which shows that the world leader is on the right track to defend her world title at the Birds Nest.

It was the fourth time she was going under the 11-seconds barrier, and she leads the world with a sizzling 10.77 seconds.

“I’m satisfied with the race, the time wasn’t what I wanted, but I’m grateful I came out here and did my best, thank God,” the star sprinter said.

Earlier this month Fraser-Pryce said she would be running just the 100m in Beijing, but it is now understood her coach Steven Francis has not completely ruled her out of defending her sprint double.

She, in the meantime, revealed: “In Beijing, I’m not running the 200m.

“I’m telling my coach he has to change my mind. The 200m is too far so I’m set for the 100m.”

Finishing second to Fraser-Pryce in Stockholm was American Tori Bowie, who clocked 11.05, while Jamaica’s Natasha Morrison was third in 11.22.

The American said: “I’ll take the performance today. 11.05 is ok.

“I’m looking forward to the IAAF World Championships, there will be some great athletes there, it feels good to be among the best.”

The men’s 400m also saw another Caribbean sprinter showing his speed over the last 40m, as Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Cedenio finished very fast to clock 44.97 to win the event.

“The race felt good,” said Cedenio. “It was a little bit slow but I’m so happy with the win and I thank God for it.”

Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic who recently defeated Cedenio at the Pan Am Games, was second on Thursday in 45.21, while Britain’s Martyn Rooney ran a season’s best of 45.41 for third place.

Justin Gatlin Believes He Can Run 9.60 This Summer

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ROMA (Sporting Alert) — American sprinter Justin Gatlin is confident of running in the 9.60 seconds for the 100m this summer.

Gatlin blasted his way to a meeting record en route to winning the men’s 100m at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rome on Thursday and 2004 Olympic champion believes things are certainly coming together.

The 33-year-old, who leads the world with a swift 9.74 seconds, wasn’t too far from his world-leading mark after posting 9.75secs to improve Usain Bolt’s previous meeting mark of 9.76secs, set in 2012.

“I have had a couple of very good races, couple of 100s and 200s and I feel confident running times around 9.70s,” the American said after his win.

“This meeting is like the end of the first part of the season and now I am heading home and after the trials i’ll have a month to train and to spend time with my son and my family.”

Gatlin stated that his focus right now is just to stay injury free before the American championships, adding that beating world record holder Bolt isn’t on his agenda at the moment.

“I don’t think of beating Usain Bolt now because the championship is not tomorrow, we still have some time to come.

“I am glad I had a good start and managed to execute the first 60m to be confident with the victory. 9.60 should be possible in the summer.”

The American, who now owns the two fastest times in the world this season, finished ahead of Jimmy Vicaut of France and USA’s Mike Rodgers, who both clocked 9.98secs.

Gatlin has been in the form of his life this season and entered the Rome Diamond League meeting on the back of a world-leading 19.68 mark in Eugene, over the weekend.

Earlier, American Johnny Dutch won the men’s 400m hurdles in a seasonal best time of 48.13 — adding to his Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting victory on Saturday.

He held off his countryman Michael Tinsley, who ran home in a season’s best of 48.34 and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson 48.65.

Dutch says he is ready for the American trials.

“The key to win the races is consistency and hard work,” he said. “I feel very prepared, just need to work on some specifics before the US trials.”