LAUSANNE – All eyes will be on the clock when three of the fastest men in 2015 face the starter over the 100m at the IAAF Diamond League in Lausanne on Thursday. Follow Live Results
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Americans Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay and Jamaica’s Asafa Powell – three of the top five fastest sprinters on the all-time list, will caption a very strong short sprint lineup that is expected to be very fast.
Gatlin leads the world with two blistering times of 9.74 seconds and 9.75 secs and he will start as the man to beat in Lausanne, base on current form.
However, former world record holder Powell is back and he’s healthy again, following a few seasons on the sidelines because of injuries.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games champion who won at the Jamaica Championships last month is coming off a winning performance and a seasonal best time of 9.81 seconds in the Paris Diamond League meet over the weekend.
Powell admits that he feels like he’s in the best shape since 2008 when he ran 9.72 and 9.77, respectively, and the 2007 and 2009 world championships bronze medallist is backing himself to perform very well this summer in Beijing.
Meanwhile, after sitting out a year due to suspension, Gay is back as well and the American champion also looks in very good shape.
The 2007 sprint double world champion from the Osaka, has a year best time of 9.87 secs and he too believes his preparations for another world title has been going according to plan.
The discipline will also include Trinidad and Tobago champions Keston Bledman, who has a seasonal best of 9.86, Mike Rodgers (9.90), Deondre Batson (9.94) and Kim Collins (SKN, 9.94).
A very strong field is also assembled for the men’s 800m, with world record holder David Rudisha, Olympic Games silver medallist Nijel Amos of Botswana and world champions Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia all down for action.
On his return from a minor injury, Rudisha was just outside the world-leading mark when he clocked 1:43.58 in New York on June 13.
The Kenyan Olympic champion from London 2012 is rounding back into good shape and will be targeting a fast time.
“I was a bit scared by what happened in Ostrava, but it was not a serious injury and I didn’t panic,” Rudisha said at the meeting press conference.
“By the time I ran New York I knew I was in good shape. I was reassured when I won in 1.43. The injury is completely gone now.
“I have had three wins here in Lausanne. This is where I ran my second race in Europe when I was still in high school. I won that race in terrible weather conditions.”
Rudisha is also looking to lower the meeting record of 1:42.61 set by former world record holder Wilson Kipketer in 1997.
“I think the weather is going to be good tomorrow and we are looking for a fast race because I believe by now we are in the shape for 1.42, although you never know when that will happen because so many things have to be in place.
“I didn’t participate in the 2013 world championships due to injuries. This year I think that will be my ultimate goal, to go to China and see how best I can do for this championships.”
Another event to watch closely is the men’s Triple Jump where the on form Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo and American Olympic champion Christian Taylor are set to continue their rivalry in the sand.
Pichardo posted 18.06m to edge out Taylor (18.04) in the Doha Diamond League meeting before producing another stunning world-leading effort of 18.08m in Havana, almost two weeks after that to prove that he’s in great form this term.
He’s expected to deliver another powerful mark in Lausanne on Thursday evening, but will be mindful of his rivals.
“It has been a very good start to the season for me, and it has been a product of all the hard work I put into my preparation,” the Cuban said.
“The competition with Christian (Taylor) is a very positive thing, it helps both of us.
“But having a lead over him is a good thing to have – and I want to remain in the lead!”
In other events, Americans Dawn Harper-Nelson, Sharika Nelvis, Jasmin Stowers and Great Britain’s Tiffany Porter will battle in the women’s 100m, while the men’s 400m hurdles discipline with see Javier Culson of Puerto Rico, Bershawn Jackson and Michael Tinsley of USA leading the way in a very strong lineup.
Olympic champion Allysin Felix will race over the women’s 200m against Blessing Okagbare- Ighoteguonor of Nigeria, American Dezerea Bryant, Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers and Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure.
