Diamond League Stockholm DN Galan 2013Aug 21, 2013 by Mitch Kastoff
Stockholm DL Preview: It's basically the World Championships, but in Sweden
Stockholm DL Preview: It's basically the World Championships, but in Sweden
The guys aren’t even off the plane from Moscow and there's another Diamond League meeting. We’re not even hungover from the World Championships yet - we’re still partying like it’s 1999. But the track and field show must go on. Thankfully, the DN Galan in Stockholm has the same cast of characters.
If you wanted the world’s best, who just raced three days ago (four, by the time the meet starts), to race again, then you’re in luck.
What: Stockholm Diamond League
When: Thursday, August 22nd
Where: Stockholm Olympic Stadium (Stadium Records)
Time: Meet starts at 10:00am ET, main races from 2:00pm - 4:00pm ET
How to Watch: Universal Sports, starting at 2:00pm ET
Races to Watch
Men’s 1500m
Number of World Championship finalists: 6 out of 12
With a second World Championship gold medal and just three middle-distance legends ahead of him on the all-time 1500m list, there isn’t much left for Asbel Kiprop to do this season.
Except maybe win the Diamond League title. Currently, Ayanleh Souleiman sits with the diamond next to his name as he leads the way with 10 points. The 800m bronze medalist took wins in Oslo and Paris, but had to settle for second in London to Kiprop.
Kiprop’s title defense in Moscow, plus his brilliant 3:27.72 run in Monaco that saw the him rise to #4 on the all-time metric miler list, proved that he is truly the world’s best. A handsome cash prize would be a nice cherry on top.
If there is anyone out there that can challenge the towering Kenyan, it’ll probably be one of his compatriots. Silas Kiplagat was frustrated after the final in Moscow and could be out for a little revenge. Nixon Chepseba, who lead early in that championships race but faded in the final 100m, is another strong threat. Don’t expect any Kenyan team tactics in this one.
There’s also Bethwell Birgen, who despite running the fourth fastest time in the world of 3:30.77 from Monaco, did not make the final in Moscow (he finished 10th).
What about the Americans?
Leo Manzano returns to action after a disappointing World Championship semifinal, where he finished eighth and did not advance. We usually look for some kind of pattern to try and predict Manzano’s next performance, but we seriously have no idea what’s in store for "The Lion."
Women’s 3000m
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 15
Three of the top four women from Moscow’s 5000m final will drop down to the 3k in Stockholm. Works for me.
The 5k’ers to watch will be Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar (gold), Kenya’s Mercy Cherono (silver), and Kenya’s Viola Kibiwot (fourth).
While she may have won her fourth 5k title (two Olympic and two Worlds), it was the second half of Defar’s race in Moscow that has us intrigued. The question is how fast can she go?
To try and figure it out, here are some of Defar’s last splits from Moscow. 29.32 for the final 200m. 4:06.67 for the final 1500m. 7:02.03 for the second half (2500m) of the championship final. For those keeping score at home, that’s roughly 14:04 pace. Could Defar take a shot at Dibaba’s 14:11.15 world record later this season? That’s a question that may be answered in Zurich.
But back to Stockholm. After hanging with Defar for nearly the whole way in Moscow, Cherono is an obvious threat. And even though she was dropped over the last lap in Moscow and finished outside the medals, Kibiwot has run 4:00.76 and 14:33.48 this season. Speed and strength make an interesting combination for the 3k. More on that in a bit.
The more important story is that Defar will finally, FINALLY, go up against her compatriot and number one rival, Dibaba... except it’s not Tirunesh, it’s Genzebe. Sigh.
This Dibaba has had an interesting last two championships. Though she ran the third fastest time in the world this year (3:57.54), Dibaba had an unfortunate repeat of her performance from London in Moscow.
Prior to the Olympics, Dibaba had run 3:57.77, but finished 10th in her quarter-final heat. This year in Moscow, she made just barely final, but finished back in eighth. Small improvements?
The other 1500m woman to watch is Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, who walked away from Moscow with the bronze. She’s the ’12 World Indoor 3k Champion and has run 8:35.35i.
What about the Americans (and former NCAA stars)?
We really enjoy watching Shannon Rowbury run the 3k. Known for her speed in the 1500m, Rowbury “chose” to run the 5k at Worlds this year and finished seventh, right behind Molly Huddle. So why this love for Rowbury in this odd event?
Back when she ran her personal best of 8:31.38, she had already started to transition to more strength-based work. Earlier that spring, Rowbury had run 15:00.51 in the 5k, which was another personal best. Clearly, the increase in her workload had paid off.
After a very slow opening few laps in Moscow, Rowbury came within 6-seconds of having a new best mark. She’s due for an upgrade in the 5k and if all goes according to plan, her 3k all-time best may fall too.
Fun Fact: When Rowbury ran 8:31.38 in 2010, her season’s best in the 1500m was 4:01.30. Her fastest 1500m this year? 4:01.28. Watch out for her.
The two other Americans are Gabriele Anderson and Jordan Hasay. The two met at this distance in London, where Anderson took second in 8:42.64 (right behind Rowbury, who won in 8:41.46) and Hasay finished fifth in 8:46.89. I’m fairly sure that race didn’t have any rabbits, so expect some quicker opening laps here.
Sandwiched between the two in that race was Canada’s Sheila Reid. The former Villanova standout had a disappointing World Championships, where she finished seventh in her quarter-final heat and did not advance.
There’s another former NCAA star in Stockholm, but she’s riding a high from Moscow. In her first major final, the Netherland’s Susan Kuijken finished eighth in Moscow and was all smiles in the mixed zone. Remember the time that she won the NCAA 3k in 2008?
Women’s 800m
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 8 + Aregawi
Five of the top six finalists from Moscow, plus hometown favorite and reigning World 1500m champion Abeba Aregawi? Whoa.
Here are some general notes that I’ll just post because these’s stories write themselves.
1st - Eunice Sum (Surprise gold medalist in Moscow. Can her luck continue?)
3rd - Brenda Martinez (Historic bronze medal. How much faster can she run?)
4th - Alysia Montano (In tears in the Moscow mixed zone. Can she bounce back?)
5th - Ekaterina Poistogova (Just ran a season’s best. Anything left?)
6th - Ajee Wilson (Also just ran a season’s best and the U.S. junior record in the 800m).
Wilson isn’t the only member of Teen Girl Squad to appear in the Stockholm 800m. Watch out for 17-year-old Anita Hinriksdottir from Iceland, who’s run 2:01.17 this year, plus almost every other Icelandic junior record.
It's too bad there won't be a homecoming parade for Aregawi as she's stuck in possibly the most competitive race of the meet. She did run a national record in the 800m of 1:59.20 back in June, so you never know.
Women’s High Jump
Number of World Championship finalists: 8 out of 13
Since this event has possibly the most World Championship finalists taking the quick trip to Stockholm, Universal Sports will hopefully devote some time to the women’s high jump.
First, some notes about commercial breaks. Please don’t let it be during the women’s 3k. Please don’t let it be just highlights. Please either a) integrate some split-screen technology in there or b) show the event during the downtime. We don’t need to see athletes taking off their warm-ups. I want to see the three Moscow medalists battle it out.
Can Svetlana Shkolinva surprise again? What about Brigetta Barrett, who still leads the world with a leap of 2.04m? Then there’s the reigning Olympic champion, Anna Chicherova. Throw in four more finalists and the hometown humanitarian and world fifth place finisher Emma Green-Tregaro and you have us hooked.
Men’s 3000mST
No World champion Ezekiel Kemboi or World bronze medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, but it’s still one of the best events of the night. Teen sensation and world silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto goes up against Paul Kipsiele Koech, who finished fourth in Moscow.
Throw in Brimin Kipruto, who was left off the Kenyan team despite winning silver in ’11 and running 8:06.86 this year, and a red-hot Matt Hughes, who just ran the Canadian 3kST record of 8:11.64, and we’re still interested. Dan Huling looks to bounce back after a tough World Championships, where he finished last in his semifinal heat.
Men’s 400m
No Kirani James, but we’ll live. The men’s 400m will still have four of the eight finalists from Moscow, which includes all three medalists. LaShawn Merritt looks to continue his winning way as Tony McQuay tries to run him down. Luguelin Santos, who ran an incredible homestretch to grab bronze, will also be in the field.
Men’s 110mH
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 8
Again, another repeat from a few days ago. It’s just easier to name the World Championship finalists who aren’t running in Stockholm: USA’s Aries Merritt, France’s Thomas Martinot-LaGarde, and Jamaica’s Andrew Riley.
Those were the last three finishers in Moscow. If having the top five finalists in Stockholm doesn’t get you excited for the men’s hurdles, you need to revisit this race and look at the contrasting reactions of David Oliver and Jason Richardson.
Women’s 400mH
The world champion Zuzana Hejnova just improved on her world lead with 52.83 win in Moscow. Can she be caught? Doubtful.
USA’s and world silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad will try and give chase while Georganne Moline returns after crashing out, but still getting up and finishing, in the quarter-finals.
Just to reiterate, if you enjoyed the World Championships, then you’ll enjoy Stockholm DL. Here are the twelve World Champions that will appear at Thursday’s meeting:
Abeba Aregawi, SWE 1500 m (will 800 m at DN Galan)
Eunice Sum, KEN, 800 m
David Oliver, USA, 110 m hurdles
Meseret Defar, ETH, 5000 m (will run 3000 m at DN Galan)
LaShawn Merritt, USA, 400 m
Valerie Adams, NZL, Shot Put
Asbel Kiprop, KEN, 1500 m
Zuzana Hejnova, CZE, 400 m hurdles
Aleksandr Menkov, RUS, Long Jump
Christina Obergföll, GER, Javelin Throw
Svetlana Shkolina, GER, High Jump
Caterine Ibargüen, COL, Triple Jump
If you wanted the world’s best, who just raced three days ago (four, by the time the meet starts), to race again, then you’re in luck.
What: Stockholm Diamond League
When: Thursday, August 22nd
Where: Stockholm Olympic Stadium (Stadium Records)
Time: Meet starts at 10:00am ET, main races from 2:00pm - 4:00pm ET
How to Watch: Universal Sports, starting at 2:00pm ET
Races to Watch
Men’s 1500m
Number of World Championship finalists: 6 out of 12
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BIRGEN Bethwell
|
06.08.1988
|
KEN
|
3:30.77
|
3:30.77
|
|
CHEPSEBA Nixon Kiplimo
|
12.12.1990
|
KEN
|
3:29.77
|
3:33.9h
|
|
CHERU Tesfaye
|
02.03.1993
|
ETH
|
3:35.67
|
3:35.67
|
|
CHOGE Augustine Kiprono
|
21.01.1987
|
KEN
|
3:29.47
|
3:34.7h
|
|
GEBREMEDHIN Mekonnen
|
11.10.1988
|
ETH
|
3:31.45
|
3:32.43
|
|
INGEBRIGTSEN Henrik
|
24.02.1991
|
NOR
|
3:35.43
|
3:36.33
|
|
KIPLAGAT Silas
|
20.08.1989
|
KEN
|
3:29.27
|
3:33.7h
|
|
KIPROP Asbel
|
30.06.1989
|
KEN
|
3:27.72
|
3:27.72
|
|
MAGUT James Kiplagat
|
20.07.1990
|
KEN
|
3:33.31
|
3:35.2h
|
|
MANZANO Leonel
|
12.09.1984
|
USA
|
3:32.37
|
3:33.14
|
|
MOUSTAOUI Mohamed
|
02.04.1985
|
MAR
|
3:31.84
|
3:33.18
|
|
NDIKU Caleb Mwangangi
|
09.10.1992
|
KEN
|
3:29.50
|
3:29.50
|
|
ROTICH Andrew Kiptoo
|
01.01.1987
|
KEN
|
3:43.43
|
|
|
SOULEIMAN Ayanleh
|
03.12.1992
|
DJI
|
3:30.31
|
3:32.55
|
With a second World Championship gold medal and just three middle-distance legends ahead of him on the all-time 1500m list, there isn’t much left for Asbel Kiprop to do this season.
Except maybe win the Diamond League title. Currently, Ayanleh Souleiman sits with the diamond next to his name as he leads the way with 10 points. The 800m bronze medalist took wins in Oslo and Paris, but had to settle for second in London to Kiprop.
Kiprop’s title defense in Moscow, plus his brilliant 3:27.72 run in Monaco that saw the him rise to #4 on the all-time metric miler list, proved that he is truly the world’s best. A handsome cash prize would be a nice cherry on top.
If there is anyone out there that can challenge the towering Kenyan, it’ll probably be one of his compatriots. Silas Kiplagat was frustrated after the final in Moscow and could be out for a little revenge. Nixon Chepseba, who lead early in that championships race but faded in the final 100m, is another strong threat. Don’t expect any Kenyan team tactics in this one.
There’s also Bethwell Birgen, who despite running the fourth fastest time in the world of 3:30.77 from Monaco, did not make the final in Moscow (he finished 10th).
What about the Americans?
Leo Manzano returns to action after a disappointing World Championship semifinal, where he finished eighth and did not advance. We usually look for some kind of pattern to try and predict Manzano’s next performance, but we seriously have no idea what’s in store for "The Lion."
Women’s 3000m
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 15
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ANDERSON Gabriele
|
25.06.1986
|
USA
|
8:42.64
|
8:42.64
|
|
BAHTA Meraf
|
26.06.1989
|
SWE
|
8:58.55
|
8:58.55
|
|
CHERONO Mercy
|
07.05.1991
|
KEN
|
8:38.51
|
|
|
CHERONO Gladys
|
12.05.1983
|
KEN
|
9:17.80
|
|
|
DEFAR Meseret
|
19.11.1983
|
ETH
|
8:24.51
|
|
|
DIBABA Genzebe
|
08.02.1991
|
ETH
|
8:48.35
|
|
|
HASAY Jordan
|
21.09.1991
|
USA
|
8:46.89
|
8:46.89
|
|
HASSAN Sifan
|
01.01.1993
|
ETH
|
8:57.71
|
8:57.71
|
|
KIBIWOT Viola Jelagat
|
22.12.1983
|
KEN
|
8:40.14
|
|
|
KUIJKEN Susan
|
08.07.1986
|
NED
|
9:07.04
|
9:07.04
|
|
OBIRI Hellen
|
13.12.1989
|
KEN
|
|
|
|
PLIÅš Renata
|
05.02.1985
|
POL
|
9:04.46
|
9:04.46
|
|
REID Sheila
|
02.08.1989
|
CAN
|
8:44.02
|
8:44.02
|
|
ROMAN Sonja
|
11.03.1979
|
SLO
|
9:03.99
|
9:28.32
|
|
ROWBURY Shannon
|
14.09.1984
|
USA
|
8:31.38
|
8:41.46
|
Three of the top four women from Moscow’s 5000m final will drop down to the 3k in Stockholm. Works for me.
The 5k’ers to watch will be Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar (gold), Kenya’s Mercy Cherono (silver), and Kenya’s Viola Kibiwot (fourth).
While she may have won her fourth 5k title (two Olympic and two Worlds), it was the second half of Defar’s race in Moscow that has us intrigued. The question is how fast can she go?
To try and figure it out, here are some of Defar’s last splits from Moscow. 29.32 for the final 200m. 4:06.67 for the final 1500m. 7:02.03 for the second half (2500m) of the championship final. For those keeping score at home, that’s roughly 14:04 pace. Could Defar take a shot at Dibaba’s 14:11.15 world record later this season? That’s a question that may be answered in Zurich.
But back to Stockholm. After hanging with Defar for nearly the whole way in Moscow, Cherono is an obvious threat. And even though she was dropped over the last lap in Moscow and finished outside the medals, Kibiwot has run 4:00.76 and 14:33.48 this season. Speed and strength make an interesting combination for the 3k. More on that in a bit.
The more important story is that Defar will finally, FINALLY, go up against her compatriot and number one rival, Dibaba... except it’s not Tirunesh, it’s Genzebe. Sigh.
This Dibaba has had an interesting last two championships. Though she ran the third fastest time in the world this year (3:57.54), Dibaba had an unfortunate repeat of her performance from London in Moscow.
Prior to the Olympics, Dibaba had run 3:57.77, but finished 10th in her quarter-final heat. This year in Moscow, she made just barely final, but finished back in eighth. Small improvements?
The other 1500m woman to watch is Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, who walked away from Moscow with the bronze. She’s the ’12 World Indoor 3k Champion and has run 8:35.35i.
What about the Americans (and former NCAA stars)?
We really enjoy watching Shannon Rowbury run the 3k. Known for her speed in the 1500m, Rowbury “chose” to run the 5k at Worlds this year and finished seventh, right behind Molly Huddle. So why this love for Rowbury in this odd event?
Back when she ran her personal best of 8:31.38, she had already started to transition to more strength-based work. Earlier that spring, Rowbury had run 15:00.51 in the 5k, which was another personal best. Clearly, the increase in her workload had paid off.
After a very slow opening few laps in Moscow, Rowbury came within 6-seconds of having a new best mark. She’s due for an upgrade in the 5k and if all goes according to plan, her 3k all-time best may fall too.
Fun Fact: When Rowbury ran 8:31.38 in 2010, her season’s best in the 1500m was 4:01.30. Her fastest 1500m this year? 4:01.28. Watch out for her.
The two other Americans are Gabriele Anderson and Jordan Hasay. The two met at this distance in London, where Anderson took second in 8:42.64 (right behind Rowbury, who won in 8:41.46) and Hasay finished fifth in 8:46.89. I’m fairly sure that race didn’t have any rabbits, so expect some quicker opening laps here.
Sandwiched between the two in that race was Canada’s Sheila Reid. The former Villanova standout had a disappointing World Championships, where she finished seventh in her quarter-final heat and did not advance.
There’s another former NCAA star in Stockholm, but she’s riding a high from Moscow. In her first major final, the Netherland’s Susan Kuijken finished eighth in Moscow and was all smiles in the mixed zone. Remember the time that she won the NCAA 3k in 2008?
Women’s 800m
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 8 + Aregawi
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AKKAOUI Malika
|
25.12.1987
|
MAR
|
1:57.64
|
1:57.64
|
|
AREGAWI Abeba
|
05.07.1990
|
SWE
|
1:59.20
|
1:59.20
|
|
HINRÍKSDÓTTÍR Aníta
|
13.01.1996
|
ISL
|
2:00.49
|
2:00.49
|
|
KUPINA Yekaterina
|
02.02.1986
|
RUS
|
1:59.21
|
1:59.21
|
|
MARTINEZ Brenda
|
08.09.1987
|
USA
|
1:57.91
|
1:57.91
|
|
MONTAÑO Alysia
|
23.04.1986
|
USA
|
1:57.34
|
1:57.75
|
|
OKORO Marilyn
|
23.09.1984
|
GBR
|
1:58.45
|
1:59.43
|
|
POISTOGOVA Yekaterina
|
01.03.1991
|
RUS
|
1:57.53
|
1:58.05
|
|
SUM Eunice Jepkoech
|
10.04.1988
|
KEN
|
1:57.38
|
1:57.38
|
|
WILSON Ajee
|
08.05.1994
|
USA
|
1:58.21
|
1:58.21
|
Five of the top six finalists from Moscow, plus hometown favorite and reigning World 1500m champion Abeba Aregawi? Whoa.
Here are some general notes that I’ll just post because these’s stories write themselves.
1st - Eunice Sum (Surprise gold medalist in Moscow. Can her luck continue?)
3rd - Brenda Martinez (Historic bronze medal. How much faster can she run?)
4th - Alysia Montano (In tears in the Moscow mixed zone. Can she bounce back?)
5th - Ekaterina Poistogova (Just ran a season’s best. Anything left?)
6th - Ajee Wilson (Also just ran a season’s best and the U.S. junior record in the 800m).
Wilson isn’t the only member of Teen Girl Squad to appear in the Stockholm 800m. Watch out for 17-year-old Anita Hinriksdottir from Iceland, who’s run 2:01.17 this year, plus almost every other Icelandic junior record.
It's too bad there won't be a homecoming parade for Aregawi as she's stuck in possibly the most competitive race of the meet. She did run a national record in the 800m of 1:59.20 back in June, so you never know.
Women’s High Jump
Number of World Championship finalists: 8 out of 13
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BARRETT Brigetta
|
24.12.1990
|
USA
|
2.04
|
2.04
|
|
CHICHEROVA Anna
|
22.07.1982
|
RUS
|
2.07
|
2.02
|
|
GORDEYEVA Irina
|
09.10.1986
|
RUS
|
2.04
|
1.97
|
|
GREEN TREGARO Emma
|
08.12.1984
|
SWE
|
2.01
|
1.97
|
|
KASPRZYCKA Justyna
|
20.08.1987
|
POL
|
1.97
|
1.97
|
|
KUCHINA Mariya
|
14.01.1993
|
RUS
|
1.98
|
1.98
|
|
SHKOLINA Svetlana
|
09.03.1986
|
RUS
|
2.03
|
2.03
|
|
SKOOG Sofie
|
07.06.1990
|
SWE
|
1.90
|
1.90
|
|
STEPANIUK Kamila
|
22.03.1986
|
POL
|
1.99
|
1.99
|
|
TROST Alessia
|
08.03.1993
|
ITA
|
1.98
|
1.98
|
Since this event has possibly the most World Championship finalists taking the quick trip to Stockholm, Universal Sports will hopefully devote some time to the women’s high jump.
First, some notes about commercial breaks. Please don’t let it be during the women’s 3k. Please don’t let it be just highlights. Please either a) integrate some split-screen technology in there or b) show the event during the downtime. We don’t need to see athletes taking off their warm-ups. I want to see the three Moscow medalists battle it out.
Can Svetlana Shkolinva surprise again? What about Brigetta Barrett, who still leads the world with a leap of 2.04m? Then there’s the reigning Olympic champion, Anna Chicherova. Throw in four more finalists and the hometown humanitarian and world fifth place finisher Emma Green-Tregaro and you have us hooked.
Men’s 3000mST
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
BIRECH Jairus Kipchoge
|
14.12.1992
|
KEN
|
8:03.43
|
8:10.27
|
|
GENEST Alexandre
|
30.06.1986
|
CAN
|
8:19.33
|
8:23.43
|
|
HUGHES Matthew
|
03.08.1989
|
CAN
|
8:11.64
|
8:11.64
|
|
HULING Daniel
|
16.07.1983
|
USA
|
8:13.29
|
8:22.38
|
|
KAHSAY Meresa
|
23.05.1996
|
ETH
|
8:36.13
|
|
|
KIPRUTO Conseslus
|
08.12.1994
|
KEN
|
8:01.16
|
8:01.16
|
|
KIPRUTO Brimin Kiprop
|
31.07.1985
|
KEN
|
7:53.64
|
8:06.86
|
|
KIRUI Gilbert
|
22.01.1994
|
KEN
|
8:06.96
|
8:06.96
|
|
KOECH Paul Kipsiele
|
10.11.1981
|
KEN
|
7:54.31
|
8:02.63
|
|
KOECH John
|
23.08.1995
|
KEN
|
8:21.5h
|
8:21.5h
|
|
LAGAT Haron
|
15.08.1983
|
KEN
|
8:15.80
|
8:24.90
|
|
LESLIE Cory
|
24.10.1989
|
USA
|
8:20.08
|
8:20.08
|
|
LUCHIANOV Ion
|
31.01.1981
|
MDA
|
8:18.97
|
8:19.64
|
|
YEGO Hillary Kipsang
|
02.04.1992
|
KEN
|
8:03.57
|
8:03.57
|
No World champion Ezekiel Kemboi or World bronze medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, but it’s still one of the best events of the night. Teen sensation and world silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto goes up against Paul Kipsiele Koech, who finished fourth in Moscow.
Throw in Brimin Kipruto, who was left off the Kenyan team despite winning silver in ’11 and running 8:06.86 this year, and a red-hot Matt Hughes, who just ran the Canadian 3kST record of 8:11.64, and we’re still interested. Dan Huling looks to bounce back after a tough World Championships, where he finished last in his semifinal heat.
Men’s 400m
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EKELUND ARENANDER Nick
|
23.01.1989
|
DEN
|
45.50
|
45.50
|
|
LEVINE Nigel
|
30.04.1989
|
GBR
|
45.11
|
45.23
|
|
MANCE Josh
|
21.03.1992
|
USA
|
44.83
|
45.08
|
|
MASLÁK Pavel
|
21.02.1991
|
CZE
|
44.84
|
44.84
|
|
MCQUAY Tony
|
16.04.1990
|
USA
|
44.40
|
44.40
|
|
MERRITT LaShawn
|
27.06.1986
|
USA
|
43.74
|
43.74
|
|
SANTOS Luguelín
|
12.11.1993
|
DOM
|
44.45
|
44.52
|
|
WISSMAN Johan
|
02.11.1982
|
SWE
|
44.56
|
|
No Kirani James, but we’ll live. The men’s 400m will still have four of the eight finalists from Moscow, which includes all three medalists. LaShawn Merritt looks to continue his winning way as Tony McQuay tries to run him down. Luguelin Santos, who ran an incredible homestretch to grab bronze, will also be in the field.
Men’s 110mH
Number of World Championship finalists: 5 out of 8
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NOGA Artur
|
02.05.1988
|
POL
|
13.27
|
13.29
|
|
NOSSMY Philip
|
06.12.1982
|
SWE
|
13.47
|
13.49
|
|
OLIVER David
|
24.04.1982
|
USA
|
12.89
|
13.00
|
|
RICHARDSON Jason
|
04.04.1986
|
USA
|
12.98
|
13.20
|
|
SHARMAN William
|
12.09.1984
|
GBR
|
13.26
|
13.26
|
|
SHUBENKOV Sergey
|
10.10.1990
|
RUS
|
13.09
|
13.16
|
|
THOMAS Mikel
|
23.11.1987
|
TRI
|
13.19
|
13.19
|
|
WILSON Ryan
|
19.12.1980
|
USA
|
13.02
|
13.08
|
Again, another repeat from a few days ago. It’s just easier to name the World Championship finalists who aren’t running in Stockholm: USA’s Aries Merritt, France’s Thomas Martinot-LaGarde, and Jamaica’s Andrew Riley.
Those were the last three finishers in Moscow. If having the top five finalists in Stockholm doesn’t get you excited for the men’s hurdles, you need to revisit this race and look at the contrasting reactions of David Oliver and Jason Richardson.
The joy on Oliver's face and the sadness on Richardson's is what makes sports great. One race means everything. http://t.co/mziy4IKBZc
— Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) August 13, 2013
Women’s 400mH
| ATHLETE | DATE OF BIRTH | NATION | PB | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ANTYUKH Natalya
|
26.06.1981
|
RUS
|
52.70
|
55.20
|
|
CHILD Eilidh
|
20.02.1987
|
GBR
|
54.22
|
54.22
|
|
HEJNOVÁ Zuzana
|
19.12.1986
|
CZE
|
52.83
|
52.83
|
|
MOLINE Georganne
|
06.03.1990
|
USA
|
53.72
|
53.72
|
|
MUHAMMAD Dalilah
|
07.02.1990
|
USA
|
53.83
|
53.83
|
|
SPENCER Kaliese
|
06.05.1987
|
JAM
|
52.79
|
54.88
|
|
TITIMETS Hanna
|
05.03.1989
|
UKR
|
54.63
|
54.63
|
|
YAROSHCHUK Hanna
|
24.11.1989
|
UKR
|
54.35
|
54.77
|
The world champion Zuzana Hejnova just improved on her world lead with 52.83 win in Moscow. Can she be caught? Doubtful.
USA’s and world silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad will try and give chase while Georganne Moline returns after crashing out, but still getting up and finishing, in the quarter-finals.
Just to reiterate, if you enjoyed the World Championships, then you’ll enjoy Stockholm DL. Here are the twelve World Champions that will appear at Thursday’s meeting:
Abeba Aregawi, SWE 1500 m (will 800 m at DN Galan)
Eunice Sum, KEN, 800 m
David Oliver, USA, 110 m hurdles
Meseret Defar, ETH, 5000 m (will run 3000 m at DN Galan)
LaShawn Merritt, USA, 400 m
Valerie Adams, NZL, Shot Put
Asbel Kiprop, KEN, 1500 m
Zuzana Hejnova, CZE, 400 m hurdles
Aleksandr Menkov, RUS, Long Jump
Christina Obergföll, GER, Javelin Throw
Svetlana Shkolina, GER, High Jump
Caterine Ibargüen, COL, Triple Jump