With the opener just days away, here’s a few things to keep an eye on in Doha!
1. Schippers and Thompson to set the tone (200m W)
It was the defining duel of last season, as Dafne Schippers and Elaine Thompson went head to head in nearly all major competitions over 100 and 200m. The Diamond League was no exception, with Thompson claiming the Diamond Trophy in the 100m, and Schippers taking the crown in the 200m. The new IAAF Diamond League format will no doubt see both of them pit against each other on several occasions this season, and the first opportunity to catch the sprinting sensations will be in Doha on Friday.
Olympic champion @fastelaine faces the media at #DohaDL!
2. Barshim to bounce back? (High Jump M)
Ever since he jumped 2.43m at Brussels in 2014, Mutaz Essa Barshim has been nothing less than a legend of the Diamond League. The Qatari high jumper claimed his first Diamond Trophy on that very evening, and added a second just a year later. Last season, though, Barshim lost his crown to US rival Erik Kynard. The two will face off in Doha as Barshim looks to win at this meeting for the first time, and get his IAAF Diamond League campaign off to a good start.
"I say to my coach: I want to jump! When is the season going to start?!" – @mutazbarshim confesses to some high jump cravings.#DohaDL pic.twitter.com/z0RIyTPBWy
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 4, 2017
3. Jebet and Kiyeng meet again (3000m Steeplechase W)
In one of last year’s most nailbiting Diamond League battles, Ruth Jebet and Hyvin Kiyeng stayed neck and neck for the duration of the season, as both repeatedly pulled out top performances at Diamond League meetings. It was Jebet, who also won Olympic Gold and set a world record in 2016, who claimed the Diamond Trophy in the end. The two go head-to-head at the start of their 2017 campaigns, and they come against strong opposition with the likes of Habiba Ghribi, Sofia Assefa and Emma Coburn also set to appear.
4. Taylor aiming for trophy number six (Triple Jump M)
Christian Taylor is not just a double Olympic champion, he is also one of the most successful athletes in IAAF Diamond League history. A five-time Diamond Trophy winner, Taylor has good memories of Doha, where he broke the 18m barrier in 2015. That occasion also kickstarted a thrilling season-long duel with Pedro Pablo Pichardo, in which Taylor eventually triumphed. Retaining his Diamond Trophy last season, he is now looking to win a sixth title this year.
"I think it adds to it" – @taylored2jump talks about the new #DiamondLeague format.#DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal pic.twitter.com/9HPQSIkfh6
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 4, 2017
5. Harrison returns to defend title (100m Hurdles W)
Kendra Harrison burst onto the IAAF Diamond League scene with a story of heartbreak and redemption last year. After dramatically missing out on a place in the USA Olympic team, Harrison declared that her two season goals would be to break the world record and win the Diamond Trophy. She promptly did both, breaking the record in London and running away with the title in a dominant season. This year, she is back, and will be hoping to get her title defence off to a flying start in Doha.