1. 200 up for Schippers and Thompson
Both Dafne Schippers and Elaine Thompson have had a fine first half of the season in the women’s 100m Diamond Race, with Thompson leading the standings and Schippers only eight points behind in third. Neither woman has managed to make as big an impact on the 200m Diamond Race, however, and they will be looking to get some more points on the board when they go head to head over 200m at Bislett. Victory for either woman would see them break into the top three.
That's a very nice welcome in Oslo!! @BislettGames pic.twitter.com/vXlD7rkHcP
— Dafne Schippers (@dafneschippers) June 6, 2016
2. Will Kiprop keep dreaming?
Asbel Kiprop loves Oslo. Last year saw him win the Bislett Dream Mile for the fourth time, and this year he is going for dreamy high five in the Norwegian capital. Out to stop him is first and foremost Elijah Manangoi, who is currently just four points behind his compatriot Kiprop in the men’s 1500m Diamond Race. Victory in Oslo would see Manangoi claim top spot from Kiprop.
3. Game on in the javelin
Ihab Abdelrahman’s victory in Eugene last month meant that Thomas Röhler’s lead in the men’s javelin Diamond Race was shortened to just one point. Both of the top two will face off in Oslo, but the men’s javelin is by no means merely a two-way fight. Less than ten points behind Abdelrahman and Röhler is Julius Yego, who will be looking for his first Diamond Race victory of the season. For Röhler, victory is important if he is to get some breathing space and win back the title he claimed in 2014.
4. Can Renaud run away with it?
After defeat in Shanghai, it looked like this might be the year in which Renaud Lavillenie finally gave up his Diamond Race crown. The Frenchman fought back with victory in Eugene, however, and now has a two point lead at the top of the standings. Victory in Oslo would see that lead extended to the kind of length Lavillenie is more accustomed to, but young Canadian Shawn Barber may have other ideas. Barber pipped Lavillenie to the world title last summer, and with 10 points already this season, is out to challenge in the Diamond Race as well.
Head to head! Can @vaultbarber put a dent in @airlavillenie's bid for a SEVENTH consecutive #DiamondTrophy when the two jump at @bislettgames tomorrow? #OsloDL #polevault #DiamondLeague
5. Spanovic’s chance
Ivana Spanovic may be among the best long jumpers in the world, but she has never quite managed to win the Diamond Race. 2016 may be her biggest chance yet, and Oslo could prove to be the turning point. The Serbian already has a six point lead at the top of the table, and with second place Brittney Reese absent in Oslo, victory for Spanovic could give her a colossal lead at the halfway stage. It is no easy field, however, with Tianna Bartoletta, Christabel Nettey and Shara Proctor all competing at Bislett.