Fresh off the back of a noteworthy Rome/Florence staging of the Wanda Diamond League, we turn our attention to the ninth of June, the Paris edition.
Rome saw a sensational World Record run of 3:49.11 from Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon to cement herself as the greatest woman to ever compete over 1500m. It would take something special in Paris to outshine that performance, let’s take a look at what’s in store.
Featured Athletes
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone ~ 400m
The woman on everyone’s minds after her insane exploits over 400mh last year will make her season debut in Paris this weekend. McLaughlin-Levrone’s unthinkable 50.68 World Record last year left athletics fans dreaming about what she could possibly do over the flat event; and they’ll have those dreams realised.
Her appearance in Paris will provide some indication as to how her season may unfold, but you can certainly expect fireworks one way or another. Her personal best over the distance came when she was 19-years-old at 50.07s, and it would take something unimaginable for that to stand once the dust settles.
Yohan Blake ~ 100m
It has been a tough start to the diamond league calendar for the second fastest man in history. His opener in Rabat saw him finish sixth and clock a time of 10.18s. A week later his time dropped but so did his place, clocking 10.15s in Florence in a seventh placed effort.
His training has reportedly been going well alongside up-and-comer Ackeem Blake, and hopefully the Jamaican fans will continue to see Yohan lower his season best time in Paris.
Featured Events
Women’s 200m
The women’s 200m is sure to be the headlining event with Merlene Ottey’s 21.97s Meeting Record set in 1990 under serious threat if the stars strut into Paris.
Sha’Carri Richardson has looked in supreme form already. She laid down a marker with a blazing SB of 22.07s and could easily lower that this weekend.
Her 100m performance in Doha provided a MR of 10.76, where she beat out Shericka Jackson in impressive fashion. Make no mistakes, Richardson is the headline act at the moment.
Men’s 100m
Ferdinand Omanyala is expected to go again in the 100m, after Fred Kerley wiped the floor with him and the rest of his competition in Florence.
The Kenyan is currently 0-2 after his declaration a few weeks ago that he would not lose a single 100m this season, and he’ll be hoping he notches a win to settle his nerves.
Aforementioned Noah Lyles and Yohan Blake will join Omanyala in the lineup, one that will also include the World Junior Record holder Lestile Tebogo, who will be looking to replicate his sub-10 form from last season.
Men’s 110mh
Another stacked field is set for the 110mh, and the hurdles this year looks like one of the most competitive of all events. Grant Holloway and Devon Allen, number two and three all time over the distance respectively, prepare to go to battle once more.
Holloway is fresh off a win in Florence where he clocked a solid 13.05s time and Allen placed third, with the man who split the American duo, Jason Joseph of Switzerland, also down to participate in Paris.