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LaShawn Merritt

Elaine Thompson Set To Sizzle At Jamaica International Invitational

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sporting Alert — Olympic sprint double champion Elaine Thompson headlines a world-class list of athletes set to compete at the 2017 Jamaica International Invitational – the opening IAAF World Challenge meeting of the season – at the National Stadium on Saturday (20).

Watch Live Streaming on 1Spotmedia.com. Visit the Jamaica International Invitational website for more details.

Thompson v Jackson Could Be Very Fast

Shericka Jackson of Jamaica
Shericka Jackson of Jamaica at the Rio Olympic Games

Thompson, who won gold medals in the women’s 100m and 200m events at the Rio Olympic Games in Brazil last summer, has been in immaculate form thus far on the season and she will look to extend her run when she contests the women’s 200m.

The MVP sprinter has already posted respective times of 22.19 (200m) and 10.78 (100m) in the opening legs of the 2017 IAAF Diamond League series in Doha and Shanghai.

The 24-year-old will start as the favourite to run away with another victory in front of the home supporters this weekend.

One of the main challengers for Thompson at this year’s Jamaica International Invitational is her club teammate Shericka Jackson, the World and Olympic 400m bronze medallist.

Jackson has also competed strongly over the shorter sprints this season — producing personal bests in both the 100m (11.24) and 200m (22.57).

Also lining up in the event are Jamaicans Simone Facey and Jura Levy, as well as Americans Shalonda Solomon and Candyce McGrone in addition to Tynia Gaither from the Bahamas.

De Grasse v Merritt Over 200m

Andre De Grasse of Canada
Andre De Grasse of Canada at Rio Olympic Games

In the men’s event, Canadian sprint star and triple Olympic medallist, Andre De Grasse, will lead a solid lineup when he races for the first time in Jamaica.

De Grasse, who has featured in two open 100m already this term, will make his season debut in the flat 200m.

His main challenge should come from American former world and Olympic 400m champion LaShawn Merritt, who will be racing in his third 200m this campaign.

London Olympics bronze medallist and 2013 IAAF World championships silver medal winner Warren Weir of Jamaica, as well as fellow countrymen Nickel Ashmeade, a semi-finalist at Rio 2016 and reigning Commonwealth Games champion Rasheed Dwyer, will lead the Jamaican charges.

Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes, who finished fifth at the World Championships in 2015, is also in the field and will make his first appearance in the 200m in 2017.

Solid Men’s and Women’s 100m Fields

Allyson Felix v Shaunae Miller
Allyson Felix v Shaunae Miller in World 400m final

The men’s and women’s 100m events have also setup some tasty clashes.

In the women’s race, American sprinter Allyson Felix will take on a solid field, which will include Jamaicans Christania Williams, a finallist in Rio, and Gayon Evans, the IAAF Indoor tour 60m champion.

Rio 100m and 200m finalist Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago and Americans Jenna Prandini and Morolake Akinosun are also entered in the event.

On the men’s side, former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell will aim to add to his sub-10 seconds 100m collection when he makes his third appearance in the event this season.

The 34-year-old should be tested by countryman Yohan Blake, the 2011 world champion, Commonwealth Games champion Kemar-Bailey Cole of Jamaica and American Mike Rodgers.

Asafa Powell of Jamaica
Asafa Powell of Jamaica competes in the Men’s 60m at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Oregon. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images for IAAF)”

Ronnie Baker of USA, Jamaican-born Turkish sprinter Jak Ali Harvey, as well as Jamaicans Nesta Carter and Julian Forte will also compete.

Also on the track, Jamaicans Javon Francis, Demish Gaye and Fitzroy Dunkley will battle against USA’s Tony McQuay and Belgium’s Kevin Borlee in the men’s 400m.

The women’s category sees Americans Natasha Hastings, Phyllis Francis, Ashley Spencer and Courtney Okolo going head-to-head with Jamaicans Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Novelene Williams-Mills, Christine Day and Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby.

Harrison Pulls Out of Sprint Hurdles

Meanwhile, women’s 100m hurdles world record holder Kendra Harrison of the U.S. will not compete in Kingston, after fracturing her hand at the Doha Diamond League meeting earlier this month.

However, Harrison’s compatriots Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin, the Olympic silver and bronze medallists, are both good to go and the pair will join fellow Americans Sharika Nelvis and meet record-holder Jasmine Stowers at the starting line.

Leading the home charges are Megan Simmonds and Danielle Williams, the 2015 world champion.

In the men’s 110m hurdles, US champion and Olympic finallist Devon Allen makes his debut in Jamaica and he will battle with teammates Ronnie Ash and Jarrett Eaton, the winner at last year’s Jamaica International Invitational.

Rio semi-finalists Andrew Riley and Deuce Carter, as well as Tyler Mason are the Jamaican trio looking to stop a USA podium sweep.

In action in the field, Columbian two-time world and Rio Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibarguen will make her season debut against Jamaica’s Shanieka Thomas-Ricketts.

Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres, who leads the world list in the men’s discus throw, will hope to improve on his ranking in the event, while Sam Kendricks, the American Rio bronze medallist, starts as the man to beat in the pole vault.

Hurdlers Harrison, Little Won’t Be In Rio; Merritt Runs 19.74 for 200m

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EUGENE, Ore., Sporting Alert – National champion Shamier Little shockingly failed to qualify for the final of the women’s 400m hurdles, while world-leader Keni Harrison failed to make the Olympic team in the women’s 100m hurdles.

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In the women’s one-lap obstacles, Little looked a shadow of herself when finishing fifth in the second semi-finals on Friday.

The 21-year-old, who leads the world with a swift 53.51 seconds, visibly struggled in the first round, and whatever problem the world silver medallist had from the heats, it was carried over into the semis.

Little got off to a very slow start and struggled to run back into contention – running a modest 55.49 seconds, which is way below the standard she set for herself.

She misses out on a place in the final and will not make the trip to Rio, this after coming into the trials as the clear favourite.

Dalilah Muhammad won that semi-final heat in 54.14, ahead of Harvard’s Autumne Franklin, 55.40, Ashley Spencer, 55.41 and Cassandra Tate, 55.49.

Sixteen-year-old Sydney McLaughlin looked very impressive when cruising to victory in her semi-final heat with a time of 55.23, which was the second quickest heading into the final.

Keni Harrison Left At Home

Meanwhile, in the women’s 100m hurdles, world-leader Keni Harrison did not make the Olympic team after she finished sixth in the final.

Harrison looked shaky when finishing second in her semi-final heat and the former Kentucky standout, who is the second-fastest woman ever in the sprint hurdles, following her 12.24 seconds posting this season, was unable to shake off those rust in the final.

Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic champion, and 2012 London Olympic silver medallist, failed to make the final, after she finished third in her semis.

The 32-year-old Harper-Nelson posted a time of 13.01 for third place in her semi-final, but her time wasn’t fast enough to secure one of the fastest loser places and she will have to watch the final on the sidelines.

In the final, 2013 world champion Brianna Rollins blasted to victory in 12.34 and she took Kristi Castlin
(12.50) and Nia Ali (12.55) with her on the plan to Rio, after this completed the top three spots.

MERRITT GOES FAST AGAIN

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In the meantime, LaShawn Merritt ran a world-leading time of 19.74 seconds to win his semi-finals of the men’s 200m.

Despite the dominating performance, however, the American quarter-miler says he’s still undecided about doing the 200/400 double.

“I’m still taking one day at a time,” said Merritt when asked about doing the double in Rio. “We will see. I am feeling good.”

The other two heat winners were high schoolers, but they certainly didn’t look that way.

Michael Norman ran 20.21 into a -1.1 m/s headwind to beat world silver medallist Justin Gatlin (20.23) in the first semi-final, while Noah Lyles came home in 20.26 to beat Kendal Williams (20.31).

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.

Isaac Makwala Sends Worlds Warning To Kirani, Merritt

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SWITZERLAND, Sporting Alert – The race for the IAAF World Championships title next month continues to be of great interest, following two exceptional performances over the weekend.

At the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Paris on Saturday, South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk threw himself in the mix by handing Olympic champion Kirani James his first defeat on the season, while breaking the African record with an impressive 43.96 second run.

He said afterwards: “I think it’s the start of something great for me.”

However, fewer than 24 hours after Van Niekerk set the African record, Isaac Makwala of Botswana, who initially held the mark in 2014 at 44.01 secs, retained his status with a spectacular 43.72 performance at a meeting in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland on Sunday (July 5).

The time posted by Makwala is a new seasonal best – improving the previous mark of 43.95, set by James at the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, on May 30.

The 28-year-old, who is now the fastest non-American 400m runner in history, jumps to fifth on the world one-lap all-time list.

Makwala also became only the third man to break 44-seconds in 2015, while recording the quickest time in the world since Jeremy Wariner ran 43.45 in 2007.

His exceptional performance at the 2015 Resisprint International meeting on Sunday moves him above the likes of American reigning world champion LaShawn Merritt and 2012 London Olympic gold medal winner Grenadian James, who each have identical lifetime bests of 43.74 secs for the event.

American legendary Michael Johnson holds the world record in the event at 43.18 seconds, which was set in 1999.

In the meantime, finishing second to Makwala in the record breaking race was 18-year-old Abdalelah Haroun of Qatar who posted an Asian record of 44.27 to lower his personal best by 0.41 seconds.

He also moves to second place on the world junior all-time table behind American world junior record-holder Steve Lewis and above Kirani James and Olympic silver medallist Luguelín Santos of the Dominican Republic.

Another highlighting performance from the meet came in the men’s 100m where Henricho Bruintjies set a South African record of 9.97 secs.

Bruintjies recorded his national record in the heats, but was unable to match that performance in the final which was affected by a -2.1m/s headwind.

The 21-year-old won the final in 10.28, with Ouhadi Aziz Maroc of Morocco taking second in 10.32 and Cayman Islands’ Kemar Hyman finishing third, at 10.37.

He became the 24th 100m sprinter to break the 10-seconds barrier on the season.

American Justin Gatlin has the two fastest times in the world this campaign, at 9.74 and 9.75.

T&T’s Cedenio Best World Champ LaShawn Merritt In Ponce

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PONCE, Puerto Rico (Sporting Alert) — Machel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago backed up his impressive run at the Cayman Invitational a week ago, by delivering another solid run to beat some world-class sprinters in the men’s 400m at the 2015 Ponce Grand Prix in Puerto Rico on Saturday (May 23).

Cedenio, who ran a personal-best of 44.36 in the Cayman Islands seven days ago, returned this week with a 44.97 seconds effort to best reigning world champion LaShawn Merritt of USA.

Merritt, who has been having a slow season by his standards, went 45.42secs for second place, with Gustavo Cuesta of the Dominican Republic finishing third in 45.89.

Former world and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner trailed home at disappointing sixth in a time of 46.22, while London Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic crossed fifth in 46.19.

In the men’s 100m dash Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago clocked 10.17 seconds to finish first ahead of Americans Harry Adams, who ran 10.26 and Maurice Mitchell, who crossed the line at 10.26.

The women’s race went to American Jessica Young in 11.38secs.

Young finished in front of compatriots Tawanna Meadows (11.39) and Sholanda Solomon (11.44).

Elsewhere on the night, Cuban pair of Rose Mary Almanza and Sahily Diago finished 1-2 in the women’s 800m.

Almanza ran a personal-best time of 1:59.35 to take the event and beat last year’s World Juniors silver medallist, Diago, who posted 1:59.91.

Jamaica’s Simoya Campbell ran a new personal record of 2:01.59.

Charles Jock of USA won the men’s race with a performance of 1:45.40.

In other results, Olympic silver medallist Jason Richardson (13.34) of USA edged out Cuba’s Yordan OO’Farril (13.35) in the men’s 110m hurdles, while Brigitte Merlano of Colombia took the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.14.

In the night’s final race at the meeting, Jeffery Gibson of Bahamas upset home favourite Javier Culson of Puerto Rico in the men’s 400m hurdles.

The Olympic bronze medal winner, Culson came in as the favourite, but had to settle for second in front of his home supporters in 49.31.

Gibson won the race in 49.19, with Miles Ukaoma of Nigeria finishing third in 49.39.

Click Here For Full Meet Results

Kirani James Wins Again In Shanghai Diamond League

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SHANGHAI, China (Sporting Alert) — Kirani James smashed a world-class field to win the men’s 400m at the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League meeting on Sunday.

James Dominated The Final Dash

The Olympic champion, who leads the world with a dazzling 44.22 seconds, crossed the finishing line in Shanghai in 44.66secs — miles ahead of the rest of the field after separating himself at the top of the straightaway.

“It was very tough, but I am very happy with the win,” James said after his win.

American Tony McQuay was second in 45.54 with countryman and world champion LaShawn Merritt trailing in third in 45.58.

“I am glad to take second place. I am a little tired after a long trip to be here so I am quite satisfied,” McQuay said.

He added: “It’s still too early to talk about the World Championships in Beijing. I will prepare more and train harder for that.”

Easy Win For Spencer Over The Hurdles

Kaliese Spencer continued her good form in Diamond League action with another victory in the women’s 400m hurdles on Sunday.

The Jamaican Commonwealth Games champion produced a world-leading time of 54.71 for victory on her way to beating Americans Tiffany Williams, 55.27 and Cassandra Tate, 55.68.

Spencer says her main focus is to get her preparation right for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, later this summer.

“I am very happy with my first place. I am happy with the world lead,” the Jamaican said. “I really believe that I can win in Bijing.

“Now I have to try harder, stay focus and injury free.”

Blessing’s Day In Shanghai

Commonwealth Games champion Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor raced away from a very strong field to win the women’s 100m.

The Nigerian clocked 10.98 seconds to take the event in a seasonal best and finished ahead of the fast travelling Tori Bowie of the United States, 11.07 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye, 11.13.

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor credit her rare good start for the win.

“The first part of the race was the best part,” she revealed. “Normally I don’t have the best start, so it was good to be leading at the beginning.

“The race was prety good. It is not easy to compete with the best of the world but I won.”

Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica was only fifth in 11.25, just behind her compatriot Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was fourth in 11.22, but she seems “OK” with the performance.

“It was a good start. I didn’t have have anytime in my hand and no expectations,” the World Championships sprint double champion said. “The feeling is OK. I am looking forward to the next 100m. What comes, comes.”

Elsewhere at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting, Jairus Birech won the men’s 3,000, steeplechase, in a world-leading 8:05.37 and led a Kenyan 1-2-3 finish in the event.

The men’s high jump competition also produced a world-best for 2015, as Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar cleared a meeting record of 2.38m on his first try before ending the competition on the chilly night.

“I stopped (jumping) in the competition because it is too early in the season to jump higher,” Barshim, who will next compete in Eugene revealed.

Live Stream IAAF 2015 Shanghai Diamond League

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MAY 16, 2015 — The following is the starting lists for the IAAF Shanghai Diamond League on Sunday (May 17). The meet  is the second of the 2015 series, after the campaign got underway in Doha on Friday night.

Follow live action from the meeting on Sunday on the IAAF Website, while live streaming coverage can be see here.

Some of the women’s best athletes, including Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica, her compatriots Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kaliese Spencer, veteran Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya, Kirani James of Grenada, Americans LaShawn Merritt and Aries Merritt, as well as Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko.

At her press conference before the meet five-time world champion Fraser-Pryce said: “Last year was disappointing. But it was important to stay active because 2015 is a World Championships year.

“The field here is a good one, as always. It’s hard to hide in women’s sprints. There is always one, or sometimes many, to push you hard. I just want to execute my 100m really well.”

The live action is underway and the starting lists are below

Start Lists Women

100m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Michelle-Lee Ahye TTO
Tori Bowie USA
Schillonie Calvert JAM
Veronica Campbell-Brown JAM
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce JAM
Muna Lee USA
Blessing Okagbare NGR
Yujia Tao CHN
Yongli Wei CHN

800m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Malika Akkaoui MAR
Marina Arzamasova BLR
Molly Beckwith-Ludlow USA
Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei KEN
Angelika Cichocka POL
Yekaterina Kupina RUS
Lenka Masná CZE
Jennifer Meadows GBR
Winnie Nanyondo UGA
Eunice Jepkoech Sum KEN
Jing Zhao CHN

5000m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Almaz Ayana ETH
Gelete Burka ETH
Irene Chepet Cheptai KEN
Stella Chesang UGA
Dera Dida ETH
Changqin Ding CHN
Birtukan Fente ETH
Alemitu Hawi ETH
Alemitu Heroye ETH
Irene Jelagat KEN
Viola Jelagat Kibiwot KEN
Magdalene Masai KEN
Peril Nengampi KEN
Senbere Teferi ETH
Tamara Tverdostup UKR
Lydia Nasimiyu Wafula KEN
Qiuzi Xu CHN

400m Hurdles

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Bianca Baak NED
Kori Carter USA
Lashinda Demus USA
Georganne Moline USA
Dalilah Muhammad USA
Kaliese Spencer JAM
Cassandra Tate USA
Tiffany Williams USA
Xia Xiao CHN

Pole Vault

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Tina Šutej SLO
Katharina Bauer GER
Alana Boyd AUS
Nikoléta Kyriakopoúlou GRE
Ling Li CHN
Mary Saxer USA
Yarisley Silva CUB
Silke Spiegelburg GER
Ekateríni Stefanídi GRE
April Steiner Bennett USA
Huiqin Xu CHN

Triple Jump

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Katja Demut GER
Rouguy Diallo FRA
Kristin Gierisch GER
Irina Gumenyuk RUS
Caterine Ibargüen COL
Xiaohong Li CHN
Yanmei Li CHN
Patrícia Mamona POR
Olga Rypakova KAZ
Olga Saladukha UKR
Yosiri Urrutia COL

Shot Put

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Cleopatra Borel TTO
Tia Brooks USA
Yang Gao CHN
Lijiao Gong CHN
Tianqian Guo CHN
Felisha Johnson USA
Yuliya Leantsiuk BLR
Anita Márton HUN
Christina Schwanitz GER
Brittany Smith USA

Javelin

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Maria Abakumova RUS
Elizabeth Gleadle CAN
Hanna Hatsko-Fedusova UKR
Lingwei Li CHN
Huihui Lu CHN
Kimberley Mickle AUS
Kathryn Mitchell AUS
Christina Obergföll GER
Martina Ratej SLO
Sunette Viljoen RSA
Kara Winger USA

Men’s Starting List

200m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Nickel Ashmeade JAM
Aaron Brown CAN
Rasheed Dwyer JAM
Alonso Edward PAN
Julian Forte JAM
Churandy Martina NED
Carvin Nkanata KEN
Zhenye Xie CHN
Karol Zalewski POL

400m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Kévin Borlée BEL
Kind Butler III USA
Kirani James GRN
Isaac Makwala BOT
Tony McQuay USA
LaShawn Merritt USA
Renny Quow TTO
David Verburg USA
Chenbin Zhu CHN

1500m

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Robert Kiptoo Biwott KEN
Ben Blankenship USA
Collins Cheboi KEN
Nixon Kiplimo Chepseba KEN
Mekonnen Gebremedhin ETH
Jakub Holuša CZE
Vincent Kibet KEN
Nicholas Kiplangat Kipkoech KEN
Silas Kiplagat KEN
Lei Li CHN
James Kiplagat Magut KEN
Ronald Musagala UGA
Hillary Cheruiyot Ngetich KEN
Bram Som NED

3000m Steeple

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Nicholas Kiptonui Bett KEN
Jairus Kipchoge Birech KEN
Hamid Ezzine MAR
Víctor García ESP
Clement Kemboi Kimutai KEN
Benjamin Kiplagat UGA
Festus Kiprono KEN
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto KEN
Conseslus Kipruto KEN
Barnabas Kipyego KEN
Gilbert Kiplangat Kirui KEN
Paul Kipsiele Koech KEN
Haron Lagat KEN
Abel Kiprop Mutai KEN
Jonathan Muia Ndiku KEN
Bernard Mbugua Nganga KEN
Ilgizar Safiullin RUS
Tao Yang CHN
Hillary Kipsang Yego KEN

110m Hurdles

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Ronnie Ash USA
Aries Merritt USA
David Oliver USA
Orlando Ortega CUB
Jason Richardson USA
Andrew Riley JAM
Sergey Shubenkov RUS
Ryan Wilson USA
Wenjun Xie CHN

High Jump

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Jaroslav Bába CZE
Muamer Aissa Barsham QAT
Mutaz Essa Barshim QAT
Bohdan Bondarenko UKR
Erik Kynard USA
Michael Mason CAN
Wojciech Theiner POL
Naoto Tobe JPN
Yu Wang CHN
Jesse Williams USA
Guowei Zhang CHN

Long Jump

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Damar Forbes JAM
Ignisious Gaisah NED
Mike Hartfield USA
Jeff Henderson USA
Changzhou Huang CHN
Jinzhe Li CHN
Aleksandr Menkov RUS
Godfrey Khotso Mokoena RSA
Luis Rivera MEX
Greg Rutherford GBR
Christopher Tomlinson GBR
Jianan Wang CHN

Discus

ATHLETE COUNTRY
Erik Cadée NED
Vikas Gowda IND
Andrius Gudžius LTU
Victor Hogan RSA
Gerd Kanter EST
Martin Kupper EST
Piotr Malachowski POL
Jason Morgan JAM
Apostolos Parellis CYP
Robert Urbanek POL

Javon Francis Demands More From Jamaican 4×4 Teammates

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IAAF World Relays 2015
Javon Francis of Jamaica at IAAF World Relays 2015. Getty Image Photo

NASSAU, Bahamas (Sporting Alert) — Javon Francis produced yet another stunning anchor leg in guide Jamaica into the final of the men’s 4x400m at the IAAF World Relays 2015 on Saturday, but the youngster is demanding more from his teammates.

Francis, who collected the baton in fourth place and out of the automatic qualifying places, shifted gears to produce a scorching final leg split of 44.01 to take the Jamaicans into second place behind USA and through to the final in 3:02.81.

The opening two legs did Jamaica no favours and it took a solid run on the penultimate leg from high schooler Nathon Allen to recover from being in last place at the Thomas Robinson Stadium.

Francis was delighted at making the final, which is set for Sunday, but he would like to be getting the baton much closer to the leaders.

“It would be nice to get the baton closer but we got the job done, we are in the final,” Francis was quoted as telling the Jamaica Sunday Gleaner.

“I just focus on running my best and helping my team to qualify.”

The 20-year-old sprinter added: “Hopefully we will go out there and make it on the podium (Sunday).

“I will be telling my teammates to stay focused because we have a big day. I just want to get it (baton) close to the leader.”

On Sunday night at the IAAF World Relays 2015, Jamaica will start in lane seven behind Belgium in the final.

The United States, which will feature the likes of Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt in its lineup, will start as the team to beat on papers.

However, hosts and Olympic champions Bahamas, who finished second last year and fellow Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago both looked good in their heats and are expected to give the Americans a strong challenge in the battle for the gold medal.

The second edition of the IAAF World Relays 2015 concludes on Sunday and Jamaica will be eyeing a medal, in addition to qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Kirani James Breaks Michael Johnson’s Drake Relays Record

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Kirani James
Kirani James winning at Drake Relays. Linked Photo

DES MOINES, IA (Sporting Alert) — Grenadian Kirani James broke Michael Johnson’s meeting record on his way to winning the men’s 400-meter Beijing WC preview race at Drake Relays on Friday night.

James, who won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games, posted a time of 44.22 seconds to take the event at Drake Stadium and erased Johnson’s previous mark of 44.41, set in 1996.

The performance by the 22-year-old was also a world-leading time, which bettered his own time of 44.31, set earlier this month.

“I’m very happy with my time,” James said after the win in the cold and windy condition. This shows that I am in good shape.

“Good things can happen this season, but nothing is guaranteed. It’s still early.”

He flashed across  the finish line in miserable conditions for sprinters in front of Yousef Ahmed Masrahi of Saudi Arabia, who ran 44.70, with Bahamas veteran Chris Brown taking third in 44.76.

James, who faded to a disappointing seventh in the 400m final at the last IAAF World Championships in 2013, will be hoping to improve on that performance come this summer in Beijing, China.

Reigning world champion LawShann Merritt of USA could only manage fifth-place after running home in 45.27.

“I didn’t do so well as far as place-wise, but I still feel good,” Merritt told reporters.

“Today wasn’t really about the time. I just needed to work on some things.”

Merritt’s fellow American countryman Tony McQuay was fourth in 45.15, while Olympic silver medallist Luguelin Santos of  the Dominican Republic finished seventh, in 45.69.

In the men’s 400m Hurdles Beijing preview, American Bershawn Jackson came home first in 48.87 seconds to beat fellow American Michael Tinsley (49.39) and Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson (49.47).

Aleec Harris ran a world-leading 13.16 secs (-0.6) to win the men’s 110m Hurdles, beating David Oliver (13.19) and Jamaica’s Andrew Riley (13.32). World record holder Aries Merritt was fourth in 13.37, with fifth going to Hansle Parchment of Jamaica in 13.40.

”It means a lot,” said Harris. “That’s where the pressure was really, knowing who was in the field.

“Those are the guys I’m going to see at (the U.S. championships),” he added.

In other Beijing world championship preview events, Katerina Stefanidi cleared a world-leading mark of 4.71m (15 feet, 5 and 1/2 inches) to win the women’s Pole Vault, while Derek Drouin went over 2.32m (7 feet, 7 and 1/4 inches) to take the men’s High Jump competition.

The 2015 Drake Relays continues on Saturday with another healthy schedule.

Meanwhile at the 121st Penn Relay Festival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, Texas A&M made it seventh in a row in the Championship of America College women’s 4x100m relay after they posted a time of 43.76 seconds.

“This is my first time running a relay for Texas A&M. It’s a great experience just to come out here and to know this was our 7th time to get out here and run against all these people,” said anchor leg runner Aaliyah Brown. “We came out here and dominated. It was a great feeling.

“I came out here in high school but it’s nothing compared to getting out in this environment and run on a collegiate team that’s well known.”

Texas, who recorded that fastest time in the heats, picked up second in 44.36, with Oklahoma (45.49), G.C. Foster (45.54), South Carolina (45.74), Houston (45.83), Hampton (46.79) and Boston University (46.93) following home in the minor places.

UTech of Jamaica, who was one of the favourite to win the event, did not start in the final.

Justin Gatlin dominates Tyson Gay to set WL in Lausanne

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American Justin Gatlin in action over 100m
American Justin Gatlin in action over 100m

LAUSANNE (SportingAlert) — American sprinter Justin Gatlin beat Tyson Gay in their 100m clash at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on Thursday.

Gatlin, who has been in very good form all season, stayed undefeated on the term when he flashed to a new world-leading time of 9.80 seconds to take the event over two of his American countrymen.

Gay, making a controversial early return to the track from a doping suspension, after working with the anti-doiping governing body, finished second in 9.93secs in his first race of the season, while recently crown USA champion Mike Rodgers took third in seasonal best time of 9.98secs.

The women’s race went to Trinidad and Tobago’s national champion and world-leader Michelle-Lee Ahye, who ran 10.98secs, and beat Murielle Ahoure of the Ivory Coast, (10.98secs) on the evening.

USA’s English Gardner took third in 11.19.

Earlier in the day, Olympic champion Kirani James produced a new world-lead, personal best, Diamond League record and national record of 43.74 to win the men’s 400m title.

In his strides, the Grenadian star dominated LaShawn Merritt of the USA who was second in a season’s best time of 43.92, while third went to Yousef Ahmed Masrahi of Saudi Arabian, who set a new Area record of 44.43.

Elsewhere, Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya continued her impressive form this season by winning the women’s 800m in a seasonal best of 1:58.48 to go four in four in the IAAF Diamond League this season.

Universal Sports to stream Lausanne and Paris Diamond Leagues

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Justin Gatlin
Justin Gatlin wins U.S. Trials 100m

Los Angeles  – Universal Sports Network will air exclusive national television coverage of the IAAF Diamond League from Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m. ET LIVE, and Paris, France on Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m. ET LIVE.

In addition, universalsports.com will live stream both races to authenticated users.

This Thursday in Lausanne, American record holder Tyson Gay is scheduled to compete in the 100m against Justin Gatlin – who is undefeated and owns the four fastest 100m times this season.

Gay, the 2007 world champion over 100m and 200m, will be making his first appearance in nearly a year after testing positive for a banned substance last summer.

Joining Gatlin and Gay in Switzerland are 15 Olympic and world champions including Olympic Gold Medalist Kirani James and World Champion LaShawn Merritt. The latter two are scheduled to go head-to-head in the 400m for the second time this season following James’ victory over Merritt in a photo finish at June’s Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.

On Saturday in Paris, Olympic silver medalist Michel Tinsley and decathlete Ashton Eaton are scheduled to compete in the 400m hurdles alongside an exciting field in the women’s 100m hurdles featuring Americans Dawn Harper Nelson and Lolo Jones, and Australian Sally Pearson.

A bevy of decorated sprinting stars are also expected to compete including Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Allyson Felix and Tori Bowie.

Universal Sports Network Remaining Broadcast Schedule: 2014 IAAF Diamond League

All Times ET – Subject to change

Date                      Time                                      Location

Jul. 3                      2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Lausanne, SUI
Jul. 5                      2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Paris, FRA
Jul. 11                    3 p.m. ET LIVE                    Glasgow, UK (Day 1)
Jul. 12                    10 a.m. ET LIVE                  Glasgow, UK (Day 2)
Jul. 18                    2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Monaco, MON
Aug. 21                 2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Stockholm, SWE
Aug. 24                 1 p.m. ET SDD                    Birmingham, GBR
Aug. 28                 2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Zurich, SUI
Sep. 5                    2 p.m. ET LIVE                    Brussels, BEL

Universal Sports Network is now available on Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Verizon FiOS, satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH, and numerous regional cable and IPTV operators in markets across the country. To find Universal Sports in your channel lineup, please visituniversalsports.com.