One year before French capital hosts the greatest show on earth, Fridays Diamond League will act as a brilliant apritif
The Diamond League in Paris on Friday (June 9) features line-ups that are every bit as strong as some of the Olympic finals we will see in the same French capital next year. Brits in action include Keely Hogkinson, Laura Muir and Dina Asher-Smith, while international stars include Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Faith Kipyegon, both of whom will be outside their comfort zone in events they dont usually do.
Running here is going to be amazing with one year to go before the Olympics, said Asher-Smith at the pre-event press conferences on Thursday. Its an amazing opportunity. I know this might sound controversial but its only an hour from London it feels like a home Olympics. There are good vibes for next year and good vibes for tomorrow.
Asher-Smith faces Abbey Steiner, Gabby Thomas, Marie-Jose Ta Lou and others in the 200m while Hodgkinson takes on Ajee Wilson, Raevyn Rogers, Halima Nakaayi, Noelie Yarigo, Catriona Bisset, to name a few, in her summer debut over 800m.
Muir, meanwhile, is in the most intriguing race of all as she tackles the 5000m for the first time in several years as she aims to smash her PB of 14:49.12, which was set indoors in 2017.
Laura Muir and Faith Kipyegon (Getty)
Also in the field is Kipyegon, fresh from her 3:49.11 world 1500m record in Florence. Like Muir she is making a rare step-up in distance, too, although she says it is part of a plan to eventually move to the marathon.
It was a really beautiful night and smashing that record, said Kipyegon, whose PB of 14:31.95 dates back to 2015. Im expecting a good race but Im nervous as its really long and eight years since I ran it seriously. I want to graduate to 5000m first and upgrade slowly and slowly to the marathon in the future. I dont know when or where but I have in my mind it will happen some day.
An incredible field also sees world 5000m, 10,000m and half-marathon record-holder Letesenbet Gidey take part in her first race since her dramatic collapse at the end of the World Cross Country Championships in February.
The line-up also includes world steeplechase record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech, world 5km record-holder Ejgayehu Taye, world indoor 3000m champion Lemlem Hailu of Ethiopia, 2019 world silver medallist Margaret Kipkemboi, world cross bronze medallist Agnes Ngetich and North American 10,000m record-holder Alicia Monson
Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Getty)
An expected crowd of 18,000 at the Stade Charlety will also see Jakob Ingebrigtsen attack Daniel Komens world two miles record of 7:58.61, which was set in Hechtel in 1997. Failing that, the European best is held by Mo Farah with 8:07.85, set in Birmingham in 2014.
Can the Olympic 1500m champion run two consecutive sub-four-minute miles? His opposition includes world under-20 cross-country champion Ishmael Kipkirui and recent Night of the 10,000m PBs winner Paul Chelimo.
Marcell Jacobs (Getty)
After missing recent races with small injury issues, Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs takes on world 200m champion Noah Lyles, plus Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, in the 100m. World 100m champion Fred Kerley is a notable absentee, though, with Jacobs saying on Thursday: This thing ( recent trash talk) I have with Fred is a lot of fun as it gets people talking about a sport that needs more visibility. Its good to have some hype.
Sydney McLaughlin (Getty)
McLaughlin-Levrone, the world 400m hurdles record-holder from the United States, faces world No.1 Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic in her specialist event the flat 400m. Watch out too for 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, who is improving with every race following a suspension due to missing drugs tests. US heptathlete Anna Hall and Britains Ama Pipi are also in the race.
McLaughlin-Levrone said: Everyone is expecting crazy, amazing things but my goal is to open up my season healthily and strong and see where Im at as we continue to progress through 2023.
Hall is also in the womens high jump along with Brit Morgan Lake, American Vashti Cunningham and Australian Nicola Olyslagers, while French decathlon star Kevin Mayer is in a triathlon (long jump, sprint hurdles and shot put).
Kevin Mayer (Getty)
Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia, who broke Komens world indoor 3000m record earlier this year, is looking for a fast time in the mens 3000m steeplechase. Maybe the world record of 7:53.63 could be under danger too.
As if all this isnt entertaining enough, there will be breakdancing exhibitions in between the track and field action ahead of that sports Olympic debut in Paris in 2024.
Subscribe to AW magazine here
Subscribe to the AW Newsletter
Read more here:
Olympic-quality athletics arrives one year early in Paris - AW - Athletics Weekly
- The weight of gold - Anna Kiesenhofer on managing expectations after Tokyo Olympics shock victory - Cyclingnews - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Climate Crisis Forces the IOC to Rethink Winter Olympics - Greek Reporter - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Macron: "If there are security problems, the inauguration could be reconsidered" - Insidethegames.biz - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Its not only the Olympics that could be coming to Utah in 2034 - Deseret News - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Jesse Mendes Says He Wont Pursue Olympics After Switching From Brazil to Italy - The Inertia - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- British teen Sky Brown targets medals in two sports at Paris Olympics - The Telegraph - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- From Stanford to Team USA, a water polo dynasty eyes an Olympic four-peat - The Athletic - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- 'Boys in the Boat' gives Hollywood treatment to rowing during an Olympic year - Denver 7 Colorado News - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- USSS Nominates Stellar Teams for 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games in Gangwon, South Korea - SkiRacing.com - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Mohamad Aniq chasing fourth ranking in Olympic qualification for Paris - theSun - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Olympic Hurdler Michelle Jenneke Brought the Vibes to Las Vegas - Yahoo Life - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- France could move Paris Olympics opening ceremony over security concerns - The Hill - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Aaron Picos unknown Bellator-PFL future has him thinking Olympics - MMA Junkie - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Paris 2024: Will they regret it? >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News - Scuttlebutt Sailing News - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Winter Olympics 2034: Blocks of Park City-area hotel rooms already essentially booked - The Park Record - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- 'Freezin' for a Reason': Special Olympics Polar Plunge to return to Buckhannon in February 2024 - My Buckhannon - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- How Suni Lee Refused to Let "Really Scary" Kidney Illness Stop Her From Returning For the 2024 Olympics - E! Online - E! NEWS - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Exclusive: Special Olympics New York calls on Hochul to increase funding ahead of program cuts - WXXI News - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, and Sunisa Lee: Can USA Gymnastics have its own 'Dream Team' at Paris 2024? - Olympics - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Olympics 2024: Event rider Ros Canter aiming for glory in Paris - BBC.com - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Jamaica's surf healer Imani Wilmot taps into ocean forces to empower women - Olympics - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- Usain Bolt: My 200m world record will be broken before 100m - Olympics - December 27th, 2023 [December 27th, 2023]
- USA Basketball womens and mens 33 programs qualify for 2024 Olympics - The Athletic - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- IOC says its Olympic ban on Russia cannot be compared with Israel situation - Japan Today - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Diosdado and Jimnez win gold and secure their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics - Insidethegames.biz - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis should forget about the 2024 Olympics - LeBron Wire - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- What could Team USA look like at the 2024 Olympics? - Hoops Hype - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Team USA: LeBron James' Olympics recruitment has fans going wild - ClutchPoints - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Gay rower Robbie Manson just qualified for the Olympics while still updating his OnlyFans page - Queerty - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- LeBron James Recruiting Stars To Play In Paris Olympics - RealGM.com - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Roundup: Mel Tucker Responds to Allegations; LeBron Wants to Play in the 2024 Olympics; Aaron Rodgers Injured - The Big Lead - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Episcopal Academy graduate Ashley Sessa has her sights set on the Olympics - The Philadelphia Inquirer - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Thompson: To rule the Olympics, Team USA needs to call in The Avengers - The Athletic - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- LeBron James to Lead Superstar Roster for the 2024 Olympics - Yahoo Life - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- LeBron James reportedly wants to play in one more Olympics, and he's already recruiting - Yahoo Sports - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- USA Basketball: LeBron James leads projected roster for 2024 Olympics - For The Win - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- LeBron James, Stephen Curry favorites to play for Team USA in 2024 Olympics - ClutchPoints - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Special Olympics as Beth-el - The Reformed Journal Blog - Reformed Journal - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Watch Peyton Manning Prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a ... - PEOPLE - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- Exclusive - Olympic champion Janja Garnbret speaks out on eating ... - Olympics - September 13th, 2023 [September 13th, 2023]
- What Could The USWNT Look Like At The 2024 Summer Olympics? - UPROXX - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Don't Miss the UP Pasty Olympics in Calumet! - Awesome Mitten - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Water quality concerns halt Paris Olympics swimming test in the Seine - TheJournal.ie - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Paris Olympics swimming test event cancelled over water quality fears - Yahoo News UK - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- John Devitt, Champion Swimmer With a Tarnished Gold Medal, Dies at 86 - The New York Times - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Expect a lot of players from this year's Team USA to be back for Paris Olympics - Yahoo Sports - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Emotions run high as Morgan Pearson ends 'whirlwind day' with a place at Paris Olympics - TRI247 - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- On This Day, 2008: Rafael Nadal captures gold medal at Beijing Olympics - Tennis Magazine - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- India Ends Olympics Pre-Qualifying Campaign with loss to Bahrain - Ekalavyas - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Olympic Triathlon Test Event: A huge success for athletes, a boost of ... - Olympics - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Paris Olympics swimming test event cancelled over water quality fears - Euronews - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Gender inequality will still be an issue at the Paris 2024 Olympics ... - The Conversation Indonesia - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Grant Holloway exclusive: On 'running free' at Budapest 2023 and ... - Olympics - August 20th, 2023 [August 20th, 2023]
- Minnesota Sports and Events has major announcement next week - Star Tribune - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- IOC call IBA's bluff over future without Olympics, but boxing on LA28 programme - Insidethegames.biz - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Garden Theatre gets new leaders with Disney, Olympics experience - Orlando Sentinel - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Cone frank about Gilas' World Cup chances, says goal is to qualify for Paris Olympics - Rappler - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- 2028 Summer Olympics could be coming to OKC Riversport, decision coming soon - City-sentinel - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Gay Olympic Rower Robbie Manson Joins OnlyFans - Star Observer - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Day for champions: Hundreds cheer on Special Olympics at SUNY - Evening Observer - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- IOC Coordination Commission chair says Paris 2024 will stage new Olympics - Insidethegames.biz - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- TCU baseball fans donated more than $23k to Special Olympics Indiana - For The Win - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- University of Minnesota Athletics - GopherSports.com - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Paris 2024 Olympic Headquarters Stormed By French Pension Protesters - SwimSwam - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Special Olympics 2023 'Flame of Hope' Lit in Athens - Greek Reporter - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Olympic Gymnasts Jordyn Wieber & Chris Brooks Tie the Knot in Arkansas Wedding - Just Jared Jr. - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- 2023 NYS Special Olympics Games This Weekend In Ithaca And Vestal - wnbf.com - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Local Special Olympics Athletes Set to Ignite the Summer Games - Eagle 99.3 FM WSCH - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Washington Co. deputy to carry the torch in 2023 Special Olympic World Games - KARE11.com - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Missing the Captain Kyle Busch - Fans Demand Exclusion of Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson in NASCAR ... - The Sportsrush - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- Special Olympics Delaware moving forward with Summer Games ... - 1150AM/101.7FM WDEL - June 9th, 2023 [June 9th, 2023]
- "If I Make the Olympics, I'll Retire at the Olympics." Surf Legend Kelly Slater Will Be ... - Latest Tweet - LatestLY - February 24th, 2023 [February 24th, 2023]
- The US should insist that Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from the 2024 Olympics - The Hill - February 18th, 2023 [February 18th, 2023]
- Belarus coach who removed sprinter from Olympics charged - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- Milano Cortina 2026: Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- 6 individuals from the Carolinas to participate in Special Olympics World Games in Berlin - WCNC.com - January 22nd, 2023 [January 22nd, 2023]
- Olympic Games | History, Locations, & Winners | Britannica - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Im Still in Therapy: Simone Biles Breaks Silence on Paris Olympics Appearance - EssentiallySports - January 19th, 2023 [January 19th, 2023]
- Course work on campus | The Culinary Olympics return to UConn - FOX61 Hartford - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- Germany May Go After An Olympics That Could Coincide With The 100th Anniversary Of The Hitler Games - Sports Talk Florida - December 28th, 2022 [December 28th, 2022]