Preview of Memorial Van Damme, August 22, by EME News
Jefferson-Wooden aganst SAFP
BRUSSELS (BEL): The 49th edition of Allianz Memorial Van Damme expects some 35 000 spectators, traditional music and lights show. But mainly top athletics, with specials like mile steeple or mixed 4×100 m. Women 5000 m is billed as WR attempt, women 100 m is the highlight of the evening. In technical events top fields mainly in women pole vault and men discus. Also in all DL events the remaining qualifiying spots for next weeks final in Zurich will be decided.
Event by event previews
Women
100m: Jefferson-Wooden, against Fraser-Pryce, Ofili and Richardson.
1500m: Fastest this year Welteji (out of DL Final spot so far), against season 4-time winner Chepchirchir, pace is set for MR (3:54.75).
5000m (Diamond Plus): Ngetich for world record, Meshesha and Nyaga lead the rest of the field.
1 mile steeplechase (non-DL): In a new discipline, Yavi for the world record/all-time best, pace is set for 4:25.
400m hurdles: Cockrell and Knight for victory.
Pole vault (Diamond+): Moon and Morris, Caudery out of DL Final spot so far.
Long jump (non-DL): Hondema, Gardašević, and three-time heptathlon Olympic champion Thiam.
Triple jump: Top six from DL standings, with DL leader Ricketts, Olympic champion LaFond and season leader Pérez Hernández.
Shot put: Jackson, Ogunleye aiming to secure DL Final spot.
Men
100m (non-DL): Walaza and Leotlela against Omanyala, Hicklin also competes.
200m: DL leader Fahnbulleh, Ogando, and third from US Trials Gregory.
400m: Patterson and Samukonga for DL Final spots, also Dobson in the line-up.
800m (non-DL): Kebenei, fastest from the field this year, against Crestan in front of home crowds.
1500m: Strong line-up with Kipsang, Nader, young Koech, and Nuguse, targeting 3:30.
3000m steeplechase (Diamond +): Wale, Koech, and Bebendorf, targeting 8:05.
High jump: Olympic champion and world No. 1 Kerr against Doroshchuk and McEwen.
Discus (Diamond +): Top seven from DL standings, led by Čeh, WR holder Alekna also competes, Olympic champion Stona only seventh so far. .
Javelin: Weber, DL leader Walcott, Silesia winner Yego, and Peters.
photo by Diamond League
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