The IAAF Diamond League athletics competition returns to Shanghai Stadium with a star-studded lineup of competitors including four Olympic gold medalists and nine champions from last year’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
All eyes will be on Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (pictured), the third woman to win two straight Olympic gold medals in the 100m sprint. The 27-year-old ‘Pocket Rocket’ dominated last year, becoming the first female to win gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m at the World Championships.
Hometown hero Xie Wenjun will attempt to repeat last year’s victory in the 110m hurdles. However, standing in his way is four-time US champion David Oliver. The 31-year-old picked up a bronze at the Beijing Olympics and claimed his first World Championships last year.
One of sport’s great rivalries will continue in Shanghai. German pole vaulter Raphael Holzdeppe claimed last year’s World Championship, but faces Olympic gold medalist Renaud Lavillenie, who is off to a stellar start to the year. The Frenchman set a world record in February, clearing 6.16 meters.
Croatian discus thrower Sandra Perković will try to continue her recent run of dominance. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist finished last year’s Diamond League season on an unbeaten run and returns to the city where she set a national record two years ago.
The men’s shot put will feature three of the best. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Tomasz Majewski will attempt to best last year’s world champion David Storl. The 23-year-old German dominated last year’s competition, winning every indoor competition except the Sopot world indoor final, which was won by Ryan Whiting, who will also be competing.
The meet will include 16 events. Nine for men (100m, 800m, 5000m, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, pole vault, triple jump, shot put and javelin) and seven for women (200m, 400m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, high jump, long jump and discus).
Other athletes to keep an eye on include Olympic gold medalist Christian Taylor (triple jump), world champions Milcah Chemos (steeplechase) and Jehue Gordon (400m hurdles), who will make her Shanghai debut.
// May 18, 6.30pm, RMB120-1,180. Shanghai Stadium, 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu, by Lingling Lu 天钥桥路666号, 近零陵路 (www.dlsh.org)
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