1. Ayana charges on
Almaz Ayana was billed as the favourite to win the women’s 5000m Diamond Race this year, and she hasn’t disappointed thus far. After charging to victory in Doha, she then put in an astonishing performance in Rabat. That brilliant run meant that she now appears twice in the top five fastest times ever, and also gave her a fearsome lead at the top of the Diamond Race standings. The little Ethiopian will be hoping that she can make it three out of three at the Golden Gala and extend her points tally to 30.
2. Rutherford returns for title defence
Greg Rutherford joined the select group of British athletes who can boast of a Diamond Trophy when he stormed to victory in a fine season last year. Rome will be his first appearance in this year’s Diamond Race as he looks to defend his title. Rutherford has 16 points to make up already, but he can at least catapult himself into the top three with a victory at the Stadio Olimpico. Besides, his first win last year only came in the second round, and he went on to win by 11 points.
3. Semenya surging ahead
For the last few years, it has been Eunice Sum who has dominated the women’s 800m Diamond Race. Since the last 150m of the opening race in Doha, however, it has looked like Sum’s hegemony is under serious threat. After victories in Doha and Rabat, South African Caster Semenya is well on course to claim her first ever Diamond League title this year. There is still a long way to go, however, and Rome will provide the next hurdle in what could prove to be a very fine season for the South African.
4. Catching Kynard
Despite defeat to Bogdan Bondarenko in Rabat, Erik Kynard holds a six point lead in the men’s high jump Diamond Race. Bondarenko will be out to obliterate that lead in Rome, but even in Kynard’s absence it will be no mean feat. The rest of the chasing pack are also looking to get more points on the board, with Guowei Zhang, one-time Diamond Race winner Robbie Grabarz and local heroes Marco Fassinotti and Gianmarco Tamberi all present at the Gala. Diamond Trophy holder Mutaz Barshim is also in Italy, and he will be baying for points after a disappointing performance at home in Doha.
5. Polish head-to-head continues
Robert Urbanek knows Piotr Malachowski very well. Yet for all the inside knowledge he may have on his compatriot and training partner, Urbanek has never quite been able to catch him in the Diamond Race, despite often being only just behind. Rabat was a case in point, as Urbanek seemed to have victory sewn up before Malachowski launched a huge throw to secure all ten points at the last. The two will once again go head to head in Rome, and another Malachowski victory would surely be a hammer blow to Urbanek’s hopes of winning the Diamond Trophy.