PARIS, France – The organisers of the Areva Paris Diamond League on July 5 have announced that the women’s 200 and men’s 200-metre events will have top fields.
Olympic champion Allyson Felix headlines the 200m field.
The American sprinter holds the Stade de France stadium record of 22.14, set in 2010.
Her challengers will be double world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, world leader Tori Bowie, double world medallist Blessing Okagbare and 2010 European champion Myriam Soumare.
There are 7 sub 10 second competitors in the men’s 100m field, with former world record holder Asafa Powell set to make his highly anticipated international return to the track.
The favourite will be the back-to-form Richard Thompson, who leads the 2014 World list.
French hopes have been diminished by the withdrawal of Jimmy Vicaut due to a right thigh strain sustained at the Euro Team Championships, but European 100m champion Christophe Lemaitre will aim for a home victory.
Other top contenders are Michael Rodgers and the ever-green Kim Collins.