1. Ibargüen sets sights on return to the top (Triple Jump W)
Caterine Ibargüen’s title defence got off to a difficult start in Rome last month, as she suffered an extremely rare defeat at the hands of Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas. Ibargüen has held the Diamond Trophy ever since 2013, and has grown thoroughly unaccustomed to defeat in recent years. Though failure to qualify for the Final is simply unimaginable, the Colombian legend will be looking to secure victory in Rabat to ensure that she is once again top of the standings by the time she faces Rojas again in Monaco.
2. Chasing pack target qualification (High Jump M)
The men’s high jump has been dominated by Mutaz Essa Barshim this season, and yet the wealth of talent in the chasing pack means that whoever makes it to the Final, the Qatari faces a stiff challenge to regain the Diamond Trophy. Rabat is a chance to see who can establish themselves among the best of the chasing pack, as the lieks of Robbie Grabarz and Andriy Protsenko look to wrap up qualification. The high jump world will also be willing on Gianmarco Tamberi, who is yet to pick up points this season after his return from injury. Qualification for the Final is still in reach for the Italian, but he will need two a big result in Rabat.
3. Top six do battle (800m M)
The men’s 800m in Rabat could prove to be a dry run for the Final if the standings remain in a similar constellation over the next few weeks. All of the top six in the standings are present in Morocco. Though only Kipyegon Bett has qualified so far, only four points separate Nijel Amos, Adam Kszczot, Donovan Brazier, Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich and Robert Biwott. Victory for any of them would mean qualification, while Canadian Brandon McBride has the chance to leapfrog several athletes and move into the top eight if he can finish among the top four or five.
4. Hastings and Jackson look to catch Williams-Mills (400m W)
Only Novlene Williams-Mills has managed to qualify for the Final in the women’s 400m so far, but Rabat should see that change, given the amount of stars on show. Shericka Jackson and Natasha Hastings are the closest to Williams-Mills on points, and good finishes for them could mean a place in the Final. Shaunae Miller-Uibo, meanwhile, will be after enough points to secure her place in the top eight, perched as she is on the edge of the qualifying positions.
5. De Grasse in need of a victory (200m M)
Andre De Grasse currently sits in joint third in the qualification standings, a full 16 points behind Ameer Webb, the only man to have secured his place in the Final thus far. Victory for the Canadian may or may not guarantee direct qualification, but it would certainly put him in a stronger position than rivals Churunday Martina, Christophe Lemaitre and Noah Lyles. A poor finish, and De Grasse’s hopes of reaching the Final could be, somewhat implausibly, thrown into doubt.