1. Thompson sets up grand finale with Schippers – 100m W
Elaine Thompson may have beaten Dafne Schippers to Olympic gold, but she trailed the Dutchwoman in the Diamond Race ahead of Lausanne. The Jamaican, though, continued her fine form with victory in Switzerland, and took an eight-point lead over Schippers in the process. The two will meet in the final at Brussels, and it now promises to be a nail-biting affair as they battle it out for the Diamond Trophy. Second place will now be enough for Thompson, even if Schippers finishes ahead of her.
2. Vadlejch puts pressure on Röhler – Javelin M
2014 Diamond Race winner Thomas Röhler looked well placed to win another Diamond Trophy in Zürich this season. Even after Jakub Vadlejch’s win in London, the German still held a significant lead at the top of the standings. Olympic glory only served to bolster the assumption that Röhler would win the Diamond Race comfortably. But the Czech Vadlejch had other ideas in Paris, claiming a huge win which puts him within four points of Röhler ahead of the final this week.
3. Walsh’s late surge surprises Kovacs – Shot Put M
For a long time this season, it looked as though Diamond Trophy holder Joe Kovacs was cruising to a comprehensive defence of his title. That was until Tom Walsh began to challenge with victory at Stockholm in Kovacs’ absence. Astonishingly, the New Zealander’s win in Paris has seen him overtake Kovacs at the top of the standings and build a four-point lead ahead of the final. Despite having won one less round than Kovacs this season, Walsh’s regular podium finishes are paying off.
4. Doyle wants the Diamond Trophy – 400m Hurdles W
She may have finished second in Lausanne, but that was nothing less than a success for British hurdler Eilidh Doyle, whose focus is now on winning the Diamond Trophy. "Having finished second overall in the Diamond Race in 2014, I’m really motivated to win it this year," she said. Her runner-up spot in Lausanne saw her extend her Diamond Race lead to six points ahead of the final.
.@EilidhDoyle of @BritAthletics finished 2nd today, but she is well-placed to win the #DiamondTrophy next month! pic.twitter.com/goWWpcpMWM
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 25, 2016
5. Jebet pulls away with world record – 3000m Steeplechase W
Her world record run was the highlight of the night at Meeting de Paris, and it also saw Ruth Jebet take the lead in the Diamond Race. After a thrilling, season long contest with Hyvin Kiyeng, it remains a slender lead for the Bahraini. With only four points between her and Kiyeng, she will probably need another victory in the final to take the Diamond Trophy.