Reigning champions to compete in Doha this Friday
Reigning world outdoor champions are set to compete to Doha, along with some of the sport's biggest stars, for the opening meeting of the IAAF Diamond League this Friday.
The meeting has traditionally attracted some of the best athletes, and this year is no different. 38 champions and 80 medallists from past Olympic Games and IAAF World Championships expected to compete this weekend.
Local heroes Mutaz Essa Barshim and Abdalelah Haroun will also be out to impress their home fans at the meet. Barshim has competed at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha on three previous occasions but the 2014 world indoor champion has yet to notch a win.
On the men's side, six current or former Olympic champions will be in Doha: US trio LaShawn Merritt, Aries Merritt and Christian Taylor along with Kenyans Asbel Kiprop, Ezekiel Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto.
Fourteen athletes competing have been world champions outdoors – nine alone last year in Beijing – and nine have won a world indoor title.
In the women's events, Doha will welcome 18 global champions and 37 medallists.
"Although 2016 is an Olympic year and many medal contenders elected to delay their outdoor debut, I am sure that athletics fans will enjoy another fantastic night on Qatar Sports Club's track next Friday," said Qatar Athletics Federation President Dahlan Al Hamad.
"Doha Diamond League will be once more the ideal start to the outdoor season with so many great athletes competing and I am sure that many records will be broken," he added. [www.iaaf.org]
Deleterious - If only you'd seen her in her leotards with the White powder on her chin and chest - swoon
It will be a meeting of doping addicts!
Is there Cuban shot-putting? That seems to be popular amongst thing website.
Excited very much ........... will be there to watch it .............. ........