{"id":1441,"date":"2019-08-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paris.diamondleague.com\/2019\/08\/22\/the-must-see-highlights\/"},"modified":"2019-08-22T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-08-22T09:00:00","slug":"the-must-see-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paris.diamondleague.com\/en\/the-must-see-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"The must-see highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

MEN’S SHOT PUT<\/b><\/p>\n

The line-up has doubtless never been as dense or refined as it is this season, with some 7 throwers who have exceeded the 22m barrier. The good news for the Parisian audience is that 5 of them are performing at the MEETING de PARIS 2019: Brazilian Darlan Romani<\/b> (22.61m on 30 June in Palo Alto); Pole Micha\u0142 Haratyk<\/b> (22.32m on 3 August at Cetniewo); American Joe Kovacs<\/b>, world champion in 2015 (22.31m on 26 July in Des Moines); New Zealander Tomas Walsh<\/b>, world champion in 2017 (22.27m on 20 June in Ostrava); and Luxembourger Bob Bertemes<\/b>, who has improved on his personal best this year by 1.22m (22.22m). Darlan Romani<\/b> is the least well known of the bunch, but his progress speaks volume about his potential: 21.82m in 2017, 22m last year, 22.61m this season. This first-class opposition might well enable Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Dag\u00e9e<\/b>, four-time champion of France, to secure the level of performance required for the Worlds in Doha (20.80m).<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S TRIPLE JUMP<\/b><\/p>\n

Make no mistake: with 5 of the athletes ranked in the top 8 this season, the competition at the MEETING de PARIS 2019 will be reminiscent of a world final. Furthermore, as is often the case in the discipline, it will have a strong American emphasis. Yulimar Rojas<\/b>, Venezuela\u2019s reigning world champion (silver medallist at the Rio Games 2016), is leading the world ranking thanks to a jump of 15.11m, her personal best, set on 9 August at the Pan American Games in Lima. She could take things to another level at the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium. The rest of the line-up is proving to be equally stellar, with the presence of Cuban Liadagmis Povea<\/b>, just 23 years of age, credited with 14.77m this season (personal best), Jamaican Shanieka Ricketts<\/b>, 14.77m this season (personal best) and American Keturah Orji<\/b>, four-time US champion (14.66m this season). This competition will be an opportunity for the French athlete Yanis David<\/b>, this season\u2019s NCAA long jump champion, recently back from injury, to vie with the world\u2019s elite before the world championships in Doha and, who knows, maybe set a new personal best (14.35m this season).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S POLE VAULT<\/b><\/p>\n

A high-altitude duel between the American Sam Kendricks<\/b> and Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie<\/b>. On paper, the former has the edge after nailing the 2nd highest pole vault in the history of the men\u2019s competition (behind Sergey Bubka), on 27 July in Des Moines, thanks to a jump of 6.06m at the American championships. He still has the security of his victory at Charl\u00e9ty last year. However, Renaud Lavillenie<\/b> (5.85m this season) has really made the MEETING de PARIS his own over many years, amassing six Diamond League successes so far. Another of the competition\u2019s star attractions is the young American Christopher Nilsen<\/b>, 21, NCAA champion in the States in 2018 and 2019. By clearing 5.95m on 5 June in Austin, he\u2019s improved on his personal best by 9 centimetres. Meantime, Frenchmen Valentin Lavillenie<\/b> and Alioune Sene<\/b> are looking to secure a ticket for Doha.<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S TRIATHLON<\/b><\/p>\n

Reigning world champion, Frenchman Kevin Mayer<\/b> is yet to line up for a full decathlon this season, opting instead to prepare for the Worlds in Doha by posting several performances in the individual events. The triathlon competition at the MEETING de PARIS (shot put, long jump and 110m hurdles), is very much in keeping with this approach. He\u2019s racked up some top performances, most notable of which is a new personal best in the hurdles in 13\u2019\u201960 (13\u2019\u201949 conditions were too windy during the French Elite championships). One of his sturdiest contenders appears to be German athlete Kai Kazmirek<\/b>. Securing a bronze medal in 2017, this season he won the decathlon in Ratingen with 8,444 points.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S DISCUS<\/b><\/p>\n

The world\u2019s elite in the discipline have set a date for the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium. The top seven throwers in the world this season are present: Cubans Yaim\u00e9 Perez<\/b> and Denia Caballero<\/b>, American Valarie Allman<\/b>, German Claudine Vita<\/b>, Brazilian Andressa De Morais<\/b> and Chinese athlete Bin Feng<\/b>. Added to these will be Croatian Sandra Perkovic<\/b>, double Olympic (2012 and 2016) and world champion (2013 and 2017), a familiar face at the Parisian meeting, where she has amassed a string of victories. After a gentle start to the season (62.41m on 16 July in Sotteville), the Olympic No.2 M\u00e9lina Robert-Michon<\/b>, who\u2019s just secured her eighteenth French champion title, is keen to take advantage of the competition to move back up the global hierarchy before taking off for Doha.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S POLE VAULT<\/b><\/p>\n

Another global final ahead of time. No fewer than 6 athletes have cleared 4.80m since the start of the outdoor season. They are all present at the MEETING de PARIS 2019. Headlining are the last two Olympic champions: American Jennifer Suhr<\/b> (London 2012), at the top of the global leader board thanks to a jump of 4.91m very early in the year (30 March in Austin) and Greek athlete Katerina Stefanidi<\/b> (Rio 2016), who jumped 4.83m on 28 July in Petra. Worth keeping a close eye on are the two other Americans in the competition: Sandi Morris<\/b>, Olympic silver medallist and world No.2 (4.85m this season), and Katie Nageotte<\/b>, victorious in Diamond League in Lausanne (4.82m, personal best). Also signed up is reigning French champion Ninon Guillon-Romarin<\/b>, who will make the most of the competition and the home crowd to try to improve on her season\u2019s best (4.60m this season).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 400M HURDLES<\/b><\/p>\n

The 400m hurdles has never been an exact science, however the very presence of Karsten Warholm<\/b> on the start line makes him the firm favourite in the Parisian race. This year, the Norwegian has had the best start to the season in his career. He\u2019s beaten St\u00e9phane Diagana\u2019s European record (47\u2019\u201937), taking the win in Oslo on 13 June in 47\u2019\u201933, before reducing it down to 47\u2019\u201912, the best time in the world, on 20 July in London in the Diamond League. Reigning world champion Karsten Warholm would also be wise to keep an eye on the Turk Yasmani Copello<\/b>, runner-up in London (48\u2019\u201993) and bronze medallist at the Rio Games 2016. And he should watch out for the American TJ Holmes<\/b>, No.2 in the States in 48\u2019\u201959. Two representatives make up the French contingent. Wilfried Happio<\/b> will be looking to run a sub-49\u2019\u2019 time and thus confirm his potential after securing a European Espoir champion title (49\u2019\u201903) for his first race with the seniors. Ludvy Vaillant<\/b>, rapidly returning to form, will be keen to improve on his season\u2019s best (48\u2019\u201998).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S HIGH JUMP<\/b><\/p>\n

With a little more than a month to go till the Worlds in Doha kick off, it\u2019s hard to confirm the hierarchy in the men\u2019s high jump. The competition at the MEETING de PARIS 2019 is an illustration of this with a very dense line-up. World number one this season (2.33m), the Russian athlete Ilya Ivanyuk<\/b>, performing under a neutral flag, boasts an excellent service record this year. However, he won\u2019t be the only serious contender for victory. Ukrainian Andriy Protsenko<\/b> (2.28m this season), European No.2 in 2014, can pride himself on a personal best of 2.40m. Meantime, Canadian Michael Mason<\/b> (2.31m this season) has come close to his personal best this year (2.33m in 2015).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 800M<\/b><\/p>\n

Has Pierre-Ambroise Bosse<\/b>\u2019s time come? The public at the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium very much hopes so. Guaranteed an entry ticket to the Worlds in Doha thanks to his world title in 2017, the Frenchman is seeking to improve on his best time (1\u201945\u2019\u201943 on 12 July in Monaco). The presence in the race of Kenyan Michael Saruni<\/b> (1\u201943\u2019\u201970 this season), Canadian Brandon McBride<\/b> (1\u201943\u2019\u201983), Qatari Abubaker Haydar Abdalla<\/b> (1\u201944\u2019\u201933) and American Clayton Murphy<\/b> (1\u201944\u2019\u201947) indicates a quick race.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S 100M<\/b><\/p>\n

With three athletes boasting sub-11-second times this year, the women\u2019s 100m at the MEETING de PARIS may well flare up. With a top time of 10\u2019\u201973 (on 21 June in Kingston), plus two others under 10\u2019\u201990, Jamaican Elaine Thompson<\/b> stands out as the best of the bunch. She won the event at the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium in 2017. However, the athlete from the Ivory Coast Marie Jos\u00e9e Ta Lou<\/b> always seems to perform at her best in Paris: 2nd in the 100m in 2017, 3rd last year in the 200m. She ran 10\u2019\u201993 this year in Lausanne. However, the race won\u2019t come down to a mere duel. Dutch athlete Dafne Schippers<\/b> (11\u2019\u201904 in Lausanne) and American Teahna Daniels<\/b>, 22, champion of the United States this season (11\u2019\u201900 on 8 June in Austin), are not accustomed to making do with a bit part. French athletes Carolle Zahi<\/b> will try to improve her season best (11\u2019\u201920) and Orlann Ombissa-Dzangue<\/b> (11\u2019\u201924), will be aiming to earn her ticket for Doha (11\u2019\u201910).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S TRIPLE JUMP<\/b><\/p>\n

An American affair. Lining up for the competition will be the three best performers of the season, all from the United States: Will Claye<\/b> (18.14m in 2019), Christian Taylor<\/b> (17.82m) and Omar Craddock<\/b> (17.68m). The first of the trio seems to be the most consistent this season, with 4 jumps in excess of 17.65m. However, Christian Taylor<\/b>, the double Olympic champion (2012 and 2016), and triple world champion (2011, 2015 and 2017), can still savour his victory in Paris (17.29m in 2017). The meeting record could well be under threat\u2026 Also worth following is the Burkinabe athlete Hugues Fabrice Zango<\/b> who\u2019s on a roll this season (17.50m, personal best). Among the French contingent will be four athletes after a 17m jump in a bid to earn selection for the world championships: Benjamin Compaor\u00e9<\/b> (French champion 2019 with 16.94m), Jean-Marc Pontvianne<\/b> (16.95m), Harold Correa<\/b> (16.82m) and Yoann Rapinier<\/b> (16.69m).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 1,500M<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the widest open and most exciting races of the evening. At the start are two of the three medallists over the distance at the Rio Games in 2016, Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi<\/b> (silver) and New Zealander Nick Willis<\/b> (bronze); plus the two Ingebrigtsen<\/b> brothers, Jakob<\/b> and Filip<\/b>, respectively credited this year with 3\u201930\u2019\u201916 and 3\u201930\u2019\u201982. On top of these are three more competitors of calibre, Ugandan Ronald Musagala<\/b> (3\u201930\u2019\u201958 on 12 July in Monaco, personal best), Djiboutian Ayanleh Souleiman<\/b> (3\u201930\u2019\u201979 on 5 July in Lausanne), a familiar face from the MEETING de PARIS and winner over the distance in 2013, as well as the young Ethiopian Samuel Tefera<\/b>, 19, who\u2019s posted a time of 3\u201931\u2019\u201939 this year. Progressing well in 2019 (3\u201935\u2019\u201998 on 16 June in Rabat, 3\u201934\u2019\u201923 on 12 July in Monaco), young Frenchman Alexis Miellet<\/b>, 24, has a golden opportunity to set his benchmark still higher.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S 400M<\/b><\/p>\n

The lap of the track is shaping up to be an American monopoly. Taking centre stage will be Shakima Wimbley<\/b>, the reigning US champion, Kendall Ellis<\/b>, runner-up at the US championships in Des Moines, as well as Phyllis Francis<\/b>, crowned world champion two year ago. French athletes D\u00e9borah Sananes<\/b> and Amandine Brossier<\/b> intend to use the opposition to improve on their personal best times for this year (respectively 51\u2019\u201955 and 51\u2019\u201977).<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 200M<\/b><\/p>\n

The figures speak volumes about the standard of the line-up: six of the runners competing at the MEETING de PARIS have run under 20 seconds this season for this distance. However, one of them is clearly a cut above the rest. At just 22 years of age, American Noah Lyles<\/b> has become the 4th fastest man in history in this discipline, thanks to a time of 19\u2019\u201950 on 5 July in Lausanne. He\u2019s announced as the firm favourite at the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium, but the other entries also have solid track records. Not widely recognised last year, Nigerian Divine Oduduru<\/b> is no longer in the shadows since his victory at the meeting in Austin, on 7 June, in 19\u2019\u201973. Three other runners have set a personal best for the distance this season: Ecuadorian Alex Quinonez<\/b> (19\u2019\u201987 on 5 July in Lausanne), American Cravon Gillespie<\/b> (19\u2019\u201993 on 7 June in Austin) and Canadian Aaron Brow<\/b>n (19\u2019\u201995 on 5 July in Lausanne). Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre<\/b>, one of the darlings of the audience at the Charl\u00e9ty Stadium, who posted a time of 20\u2019\u201946 on 16 July in Sotteville, is still on a quest to achieve the level of performance required (20\u2019\u201935) for the Worlds in Doha.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S 800M<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the most open races of the night. Jamaican Natoya Goule<\/b> (2nd in Monaco in 1\u201957\u2019\u201990), American Hanna Green<\/b> (number two in the States in 1\u201958\u2019\u201919), as well as Ethiopian Habitam Alemu<\/b> (1\u201956\u2019\u201971 last year in Monaco), hold all the cards to pocket the win. It\u2019s the perfect race for French athlete R\u00e9nelle Lamote<\/b>, double silver medallist at the European championships, who is still in pursuit of the minimum requirement (2\u201900\u2019\u201920) to compete at the Worlds in Doha. After a disrupted start to the season, she\u2019s close to bringing her A game, as is evidenced by her victory in the European Team Championships in Bydgoszcz.<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 3,000M STEEPLECHASE<\/b><\/p>\n

A golden duel. On the cards is a face-off between the reigning Olympic and world champion, Kenyan Conseslus Kipruto<\/b>, and the world number 1 this season, Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali<\/b>. The former has chosen the MEETING de PARIS to make his comeback, having been away from the track since May as a result of a foot fracture. The second has already bagged two wins this season in Diamond League, on 3 May in Doha (8\u201907\u2019\u201922), and above all on 12 July in Monaco (8\u201904\u2019\u201982). The 8-minute barrier might well be broken for the first time this season. However, they aren\u2019t the only ones with victory in their sights in a fast-changing discipline. This is notably evidenced by the performances of Kenyan Benjamin Kigen (8\u201905\u2019\u201912 this season) and Ethiopian Chala Beyo<\/b>, credited with 8\u201906\u2019\u201948 this season, his personal best. The Parisian public will have the opportunity to cheer on the new French champion, Djilali Bedrani<\/b>, who\u2019s run a sub-8\u201910 time (8\u201909\u2019\u201947 on 12 July in Monaco) for the first time this year.<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S 110M HURDLES<\/b><\/p>\n

Just weeks away from the Worlds in Doha, the discipline is looking for its leader. American Grant Holloway<\/b> is the only athlete under 13 seconds this season (12\u2019\u201998 on 7 June in Austin). Ranked just below him is his compatriot Daniel Roberts<\/b>, just 21 years of age (13\u2019\u201900 on 7 June in Austin), he too in attendance, as is Spaniard Orlando Ortega<\/b>, Olympic No.2 (13\u2019\u201905 on 5 July in Lausanne). Fighting fit at the start of the season, Sergey Shubenkov<\/b> injured himself during a collision with Omar McLeod on 16 June in Rabat. He\u2019ll be making his comeback at the MEETING de PARIS. In the French contingent, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde<\/b>, European champion, is back in shape after a training session in Montpellier and he\u2019ll be keen to nail a strong performance before the world championships. In race B, Dimitri Bascou<\/b>, Aurel Manga<\/b> and Ludovic Payen<\/b> will be after a performance worthy of a place in Doha.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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