The IAAF Diamond League 2017 took off on May, 5th in Doha. Athletes could qualify for the Diamond League Finals either in Zürich (Aug. 24th) or in Brussels (Sep. 1st). Points can still be scored in Rabat, Monaco and Birmingham. 55 athletes have already qualified for the Final in Brussels. Preliminary scorings only serve to qualify. The Diamond League winners will be decided in a single race or field event in the King Baudouin Stadium.
CHANCES FOR MILANOV AND THIAM
Philip Milanov has realistic chances on a Belgian Diamond League victory. The Discus Thrower from Bruges won the Diamond Race in Shangai and showed consistency in all other Diamond Races. The Belgian World and European Silver Medalist is now second in the Diamond Race behind Daniel Stahl from Sweden who will be the biggest challenger for Milanov. But reigning World and European Champion Piotr Malachowski (POL) and German brothers Robert and Christoph Harting (Olympic Champions in 2012 and in 2016 respectively) also count as favourites for the diamonds.
Equally exciting will be the Women’s High Jump Final. Mariya Lasitskene, formerly known as Kuchina, is one of the athletics stars of the season. The Russian athlete who is allowed to compete as an Authorised Neutral Athlete (ANA) won all five Diamond Races that she competed in and set a national record and the 5th all time performance of 2.06m in Lausanne. The home crowd will be delighted to see Nafi Thiam participate in the event. The Olympic Heptathlon Champion has been given a wildcard and she can be in the mix for the honors, having set a seasonal best of 1.98m in Götzis.
MORRIS, THOMPSON EN MERRITT RETURN TO HOLY GROUND
Sandi Morris from the USA set a Meeting record in the Pole Vault in Brussels last year (5.00m) and will be happy to return to the packed stadium that cheered her so loudly. Morris taken on Katerina Stefanidi (GRE) and Yarisley Silva (CUB). The Men’s Triple Jump promises to become of the highlights with Christian Taylor and Will Claye on the infield. Both Americans jumped beyond 18m this year while Taylor became the third all time performer with 18.11m.
Elaine Thompson set a meeting record in the 100m in Brussels in 2016 and this year another exciting duel between the Jamaican and her strongest rival Dafne Schippers is in the making. The Dutch fans will also be looking forward to watch Sifan Hassan in the 1500m. The Dutchwoman with Ethiopian roots is highly favoured to catch the diamonds in Brussels.
Aries Merritt became a sports icon when he set a fabulous 110m Hurdles World Record in 2012 in the King Baudouin Stadium (12”80). He will be warmly welcomed by the home crowd. The 32 year old American still counts amongst the world’s best hurdlers and will be challenged by Orlando Ortega (ESP) and by Sergey Shubenkov (ANA).
QUALIFIED ATHLETES FOR THE DIAMOND LEAGUE FINAL IN BRUSSELS:
- 100m Women: Elaine Thompson.
- 200m Men: Ameer Webb.
- 400m Women: Novlene Williams-Mills.
- 800m Men: Kipyegon Bett.
- 1500m Women: Sifan Hassan, Winny Chebet, Angelika Cichocka.
- 5000m Women: Hellen Obiri, Letesenbet Gidey.
- 3000m Steeplechase Men: Soufiane El-Bakkali, Yemane Haileselassie.
- 110m Hurdles Men: Orlando Ortega, Sergey Shubenkov, Aries Merritt..
- 400m Hurdles Women: Ashley Spencer..
- High Jump Women: Mariya Lasitskene, Kamila Licwinko, Sofie Skoog, Vashti Cunningham.
- Pole Vault Women: Yarisley Silva, Katerina Stefanidi, Lisa Ryzih, Anzhelika Sidorova, Nicole Büchler, Sandi Morris.
- Long Jump Women: Tianna Bartoletta, Daria Klishina, Lorraine Ugen, Ivana Spanovic, Shakeela Saunders, Shara Proctor, Brittney Reese, Claudia Salman-Rath.
- Triple Jump Men: Christian Taylor, Alexis Copello, Will Claye, Pedro Pablo Pichardo, Bin Dong, Jhon Murillo, Max Hess, Jean-Marc Pontvianne.
- Shot Put Men: Ryan Crouser.
- Discus Throw Men: Daniel Stahl, Philip Milanov, Fedrick Dacres, Andreas Gudzius, Piotr Malachowski, Christoph Harting, Robert Harting, Robert Urbanek.
- Discus Throw Women: Sandra Perkovic, Yaimi Perez, Denia Caballero, Nadine Müller, Mélina Robert-Michon.
