Felix takes on Bol
Paris marks a first Diamond League race on European soil in four years for Allyson Felix, as the American sprint legend lines up in the 400m. A four-time Diamond League champion, Felix finished a disappointing eighth in the 200m in her only other appearance on the circuit this year, and will be hoping that a much stronger performance in Paris can secure her qualification for the 400m final. Among those lining up against her in the French capital is rising Dutch star Femke Bol. Having already secured her place in the 400m hurdles final with five wins this year, the flying Dutchwoman is now testing herself in the 400m flat.
Parchment under pressure
Olympic champion Hansle Parchment cut a disappointed figure after clipping two hurdles and finishing last in the 110m hurdles in Lausanne on Thursday. “It’s my first race since the Olympics and it just wasn’t my day,” said the Jamaican, who will be looking to bounce back with a better result in Paris. The performance also puts him under scoreboard pressure, as he currently has just a single point to his name on the Road to the Final. Victory at the Stade Charléty, however, could still see him sneak into the qualification spots in the nick of time.
Jamaican lightning
It has been quite a week in the women’s sprints. After Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah ran the second-fastest time in history with 10.54 at the Eugene Diamond League last weekend, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce showed her class with a personal best of 10.60 in Lausanne. The world record of 10.49 is now looking under threat for the first time ever, and Thompson-Herah will be back in action in Paris. The Jamaican takes on a tough field, including Shericka Jackson, Dina Asher-Smith and Mujinga Kambundji.
Perkovic eyes Diamond League redemption
An Olympic champion in 2012 and 2016, Croatian discus star Sandra Perkovic has been less dominant in recent years, and she narrowly missed out on a medal in Tokyo. Yet the 31-year-old could still make history this season in the Wanda Diamond League. With six Diamond Trophies to her name already, another title would see her draw level with record champions Christian Taylor and Renaud Lavillenie and make her the single most successful woman in the series’ history. Already on course to qualify for the final, Perkovic will be hoping to bounce back from her Olympic disapppointment in Paris and set the tone for a successful season climax.
Duplantis on the rebound
Hansle Parchment was not the only Olympic champion to make an underwhelming return to business as usual in Lausanne. Pole vault prodigy Mondo Duplantis also suffered a rare defeat as he slumped to fourth in difficult conditions on Thursday evening. With qualification already in the bag, the Swedish world record holder will not be feelling too disappointed, yet he will no doubt be looking to bounce back on Saturday. In Paris, he takes on Sam Kendricks, Renaud Lavillenie and Chris Nilsen, who claimed his first ever Diamond League victory in Lausanne.