A Fan's Guide To The 2012 Samsung Diamond League Rome Track & Field Meet
By LetsRun.com
May 30, 2012
The Samsung Diamond League's third stop will take place on Thursday in Rome before stop #4 happens in Eugene on Friday/Saturday.
For a casual sports fan, the meet is all about the matchup of Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt at 100 meters. But for the LetsRun.com fan, the meet features a fantastic women's 800 which looks to be an Olympic preview for all practical purposes, a great women's 1,500 where 2011 world #1 Morgan Uceny will try to stay close to sensation Genzebe Dibaba, a men's steeple with the Olympic gold and silver medallists battling the 2012 world leader, and a women's 5,000 with all three of last year's medallists. Plus 5 of the top 10 fastest for 2012 in the men's 800 and more.
We break down the mid-d and distance action first (in the order that they occur) before getting to the men's 100 and then the rest of the events (in the order they occur).
You can see the start times of the actual events below:
2012 Rome Diamond League Schedule
(All Times ET)
12:15 |
|
Shot Put | Women | Entry list | Standings |
12:15 |
|
Javelin Throw | Women | Entry list | Standings |
12:30 |
|
Triple Jump | Women | Entry list | Standings |
1:15 | 100m Paralympic | Women | Entry list | ||
1:35 | 100m - Pre Programme (R1) | Men | Entry list | ||
1:40 |
|
Pole Vault | Men | Entry list | Standings |
1:45 | 100m - Pre Programme (R2) | Men | Entry list | ||
1:45 |
|
Discus Throw | Men | Entry list | Standings |
2:03 |
|
400m Hs | Women | Entry list | Standings |
2:13 |
|
400m Hs | Men | Entry list | Standings |
2:30 |
|
800m | Women | Entry list | Standings |
2:30 |
|
High Jump | Men | Entry list | Standings |
2:40 |
|
3000m SC | Men | Entry list | Standings |
2:40 |
|
Long Jump | Men | Entry list | Standings |
2:56 |
|
1500m | Women | Entry list | Standings |
3:08 |
|
100m | Women | Entry list | Standings |
3:15 |
|
5000m | Women | Entry list | |
3:38 |
|
100m | Men | Entry list | Standings |
3:51 |
|
100m Hs | Women | Entry list | Standings |
4:02 | 800m | Men | Entry list | ||
4:13 | 4x400m | Men | Entry list | ||
4:23 | 4x100m | Men | Entry list |
Note: We've already changed the schedule to show the times for you in Eastern time in case you want to get up and watch the meet. US visitors, the meet will be broadcast live on Universalsports.com starting at 2 pm (free if you get the television channel on directv, payment required otherwise). In Canada: WATCH HERE on CBCSports.ca beginning at 2 pm ET.
Second Note: After each event, you'll see all of the competitors and their marks as listed on the IAAF's official start lists. Many of those SBs and some of the PRs are incorrect. We've done our best to correct them (even erased some of them that were really bad) but there probably are still a few errors.
Women's 800: Olympic Preview Headlined By Pamela Jelimo
This meet is an Olympic preview. It has the three medallists from last years' World Championships in Mariya Savinova (outdoor debut), Caster Semenya (world #11 with 1:59.58 SB) and Janeth Jepkosgei (world #2 in 2012 with 1:57.79 SB), plus the world #1 from this year in defending Olympic champ Pamela Jelimo (1:56.94 SB). If that isn't enough, you can add in the 2012 world #4 in Fantu Magiso (1:57.90) and #5 in Yuneysi Santiusti (1:58.53).
LRC's Take: It will be interesting to see how Savinova looks in her 2012 opener and how she stacks up against Jelimo. For comparison's sake, last year, she opened up outdoors in 1:58.9 before running 1:58.44 in a loss in Europe. Expect her to lose here to Jelimo, but that doesn't mean she should be discounted in the Olympics.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
25.12.1987
|
MAR
|
1:59.01
|
1:59.01i
|
|
24.07.1981
|
ITA
|
1:58.63
|
2:03.04
|
|
07.06.1988
|
GBR
|
1:59.37
|
1:59.37
|
|
05.12.1989
|
KEN
|
1:54.01
|
1:56.94
|
|
13.12.1983
|
KEN
|
1:56.04
|
1:57.79
|
|
20.11.1983
|
SVK
|
1:58.51
|
2:03.33
|
|
31.12.1986
|
RUS
|
1:56.67
|
2:01.52
|
|
09.06.1992
|
ETH
|
1:57.90
|
1:57.90
|
|
09.03.1987
|
ITA
|
2:01.50
|
2:07.25
|
|
24.12.1984
|
CUB
|
1:58.53
|
1:58.52
|
|
13.08.1985
|
RUS
|
1:55.87
|
NM |
|
07.01.1991
|
RSA
|
1:55.45
|
1:59.58
|
Men's Steeple: Paul Kipsiele Koech Tries To Hold Off Ezekiel Kemboi And Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad
2004 Olympic and 2009 and 2011 world champion Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya makes his 2012 debut here, as does 2011 bronze medallist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France, who also won silver in 2008.
They will challenge Paul Kipsiele Koech, who was brilliant in Doha when he ran the fastest steeple in history for May with his 7:55.76 clocking.
LRC Analysis: It's a shame Koech runs terribly at altitude, as he needs to be on the Kenyan Olympic team - either that or we guess we could say it's a shame that Kenya doesn't hold its steeple trials at sea level like it's doing this year for the 10,000.
We expect Koech to win but will paying attention to how Kemboi and Mekhissi-Bernabbad look as Mekhissi-Bernabbad is probably the leading contender to break up Kenya's 7 straight Olympic golds in the steeple. Kemboi is hoping to be the first two-time steeple Olympic champ since 1936 when Finland's Volmari Iso-Hollo won.
It will be interesting to see how American Billy Nelson does here. The 2011 US champ opened up outdoors with a 3:41 1,500 pb but was only 10th in his lone steeple in 8:34 at Occidental.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
11.02.1992
|
UGA
|
8:15.72
|
8:31.15
|
|
14.12.1992
|
KEN
|
8:06.72
|
8:06.72
|
|
25.12.1981
|
ITA
|
8:28.64
|
8:31.90
|
|
25.05.1982
|
KEN
|
7:55.76
|
NM |
|
04.03.1989
|
UGA
|
8:03.81
|
8:22.94
|
|
10.11.1981
|
KEN
|
7:56.37
|
7:56.58
|
|
15.03.1985
|
FRA
|
8:02.09
|
|
|
02.10.1988
|
KEN
|
8:11.40
|
8:31.4h
|
|
11.09.1984
|
USA
|
8:17.27
|
8:34.10
|
|
01.01.1985
|
KEN
|
8:05.88
|
8:11.00
|
|
04.05.1985
|
POL
|
8:15.47
|
8:15.47
|
|
17.07.1978
|
RSA
|
8:11.50
|
8:24.28
|
|
02.04.1992
|
KEN
|
8:07.71
|
8:07.71
|
|
12.10.1980
|
FRA
|
8:14.74
|
8:48.28
|
Women's 1,500: World #1 Morgan Uceny Tries To Hold Her Own Against Genzebe Dibaba
American Morgan Uceny justifiably was rewarded for her great 2012 with a #1 ranking from Track and Field News. My, how times change very quickly.
She enters this race as a huge underdog. Over the winter, 21-year-old Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba emerged as an Olympic contender when she captured the 2012 world indoor title. Then in her outdoor opener on May 19th in Shanghai, Ginzaba made herself the overwhelming Olympic favorite when she ran 3:57.77 for the win. In the day and age of legitimate out-of-competition doping tests, women don't run 3:57 any more, as shown by the following stats:
The 6 Women In The Last 10 Years Who Have Run Faster Than 3:57.773:55.33 Süreyya Ayhan-Kop - TUR - 2003 - banned for doping (lifetime)
3:55.68 Yuliya Fomenko - RUS - 2006 - banned for doping (2 years)
3:56.18 Maryam Yusuf Jamal - BRN - 2006 - not banned for doping
3:56.43 Yelena Soboleva - RUS - 2006 - banned for doping (2 years)
3:56.91 Tatyana Tomashova - RUS - 2006 - banned for doping (2 years)
3:57.65 Anna Alminova - RUS - 2010- Banned for doping (3-month ban)
If Dibaba wasn't virtually impossible to beat, Uceny would still have plenty of competition in this race, as it also includes the world's #2, #3 and #4 from this year in 21-year-old Ethiopian Abeba Aregawi (3:59.23), Morocco's Ibtissam Lakhouad (4:01.69 SB, 4th at world indoors this year) and Kenya's Helen Obiri (4:03.15 SB, world indoor champ this year). If that wasn't enough, the field also includes two-time world champ Maryam Yusuf Jamal making her outdoor debut.
LRC Analysis: We are very interested in seeing how Uceny looks here. We expect her to lose (she didn't win a 1,500 until USAs last year), but watching her get walked down at Occidental in the middle of the month was a bit surprising. In some ways, we think Dibaba's rise may have been good for Uceny, as now the pressure is totally off. Any medal of any color will be a welcome development for Uceny in London.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
05.07.1990
|
ETH
|
3:59.23
|
3:59.23
|
|
09.06.1988
|
BRN
|
4:00.25
|
4:03.13
|
|
08.02.1991
|
ETH
|
3:57.77
|
3:57.77
|
|
19.01.1991
|
GER
|
4:05.86
|
4:05.86
|
|
16.09.1984
|
BRN
|
3:56.18
|
4:00.33
|
|
07.12.1980
|
MAR
|
3:59.35
|
4:01.69
|
|
26.02.1987
|
ITA
|
4:12.54
|
4:16.64
|
|
07.08.1981
|
NOR
|
4:02.20
|
4:03.79
|
|
13.12.1989
|
KEN
|
4:02.42
|
4:03.15
|
|
05.02.1985
|
POL
|
4:03.50
|
4:08.26
|
|
29.10.1987
|
UKR
|
4:07.24
|
|
|
17.08.1989
|
GBR
|
4:02.54
|
|
|
10.03.1985
|
USA
|
4:00.06
|
4:06.52
|
Women's 5,000: Vivian Cheruiyot Looks To Remain Undefeated
This race features many of the top names in women's running, as it includes all three medallists from last year's World Champs in Vivian Cheruiyot (gold), Sylvia Kibet (silver) and Meseret Defar (bronze).
LRC Analysis: We have a good idea how this is going to turn out for two reasons.
1) Cheruiyot hasn't lost on the track since August of 2010.
2) Many of these ladies raced against each other in the 3,000 in Doha on May 11th. If Cheruiyot wasn't going to lose in a 3,000 to Defar, which is Defar's speciality, why would it happen here?
2012 Doha Top 4 Results
1 Vivian Cheruiyot KEN - 8:46.44 - WL
2 Meseret Defar ETH - 8:46.49
3 Sylvia Kibet KEN - 8:47.49
4 Gelete Burka ETH - 8:48.92
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR |
---|---|---|---|
23.01.1986
|
ETH
|
14:31.20
|
|
07.05.1991
|
KEN
|
14:35.13
|
|
11.09.1983
|
KEN
|
14:20.87
|
|
19.11.1983
|
ETH
|
14:12.88
|
|
15.01.1995
|
ETH
|
15:49.90
|
|
05.05.1992
|
ETH
|
14:58.34
|
|
28.03.1984
|
KEN
|
14:31.91
|
|
22.12.1983
|
KEN
|
14:34.86
|
|
16.01.1992
|
ETH
|
15:11.50
|
|
29.10.1989
|
KEN
|
15:05.38
|
|
20.09.1973
|
GBR
|
14:39.96
|
|
05.10.1982
|
ITA
|
15:13.19
|
|
12.08.1994
|
KEN
|
16:13.08
|
|
13.07.1979
|
ITA
|
15:02.65
|
|
31.12.1992
|
ETH
|
15:03.52
|
Men's 800: 5 Of World's 10 Fastest Will Battle
The 800 isn't technically a Diamond League event at this meet, but 5 of the 10 fastest guys on the year are entered in Leonard Kosencha (#3 - 1:43.60), Timothy Kitum (#6 - 1:44.00), Marcin Lewandowski (#7 - 1:44.34), Andrew Osagie (#9 - 1:44.64) and Antonio Manuel Reina (#10 - 1:44.65). The 17-year-old Kosencha seems to be a real medal threat.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR |
---|---|---|---|
22.05.1989
|
ITA
|
1:46.32
|
|
13.07.1987
|
DEN
|
1:44.99
|
|
20.02.1988
|
CZE
|
1:45.12
|
|
20.11.1994
|
KEN
|
1:44.00
|
|
11.08.1989
|
KEN
|
1:43.72
|
|
21.08.1994
|
KEN
|
1:44.08
|
|
13.06.1987
|
POL
|
1:43.84
|
|
19.02.1988
|
GBR
|
1:44.64
|
|
13.06.1981
|
ESP
|
1:43.83
|
|
03.02.1986
|
GBR
|
1:43.89
|
|
02.02.1989
|
ITA
|
1:47.20
|
|
20.02.1980
|
NED
|
1:43.45
|
Men's 100: Usain Bolt Versus Asafa Powell
Current world record holder Usain Bolt will try to remove memories of his 10.04 run in Ostrava last week when he takes on former world record holder Asafa Powell, who will try to prove that he can run well under pressure. The great white hope (Christophe Lemaitre) is also entered as is 2005 and 2011 bronze medallist and 2003 world champ Kim Collins.
LRC Analysis: As we said in our weekly recap, we don't think Bolt should be worried much at all by his 10.04 from last week as the weather was poor.
In our minds, the odds of Powell not starting this race or being DQed for a false start are greater than him actually beating Bolt. That being said, we'll be glued to our TVs.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
21.08.1986
|
JAM
|
9.58
|
9.82
|
|
07.07.1981
|
JAM
|
9.99
|
9.99
|
|
05.04.1976
|
SKN
|
9.98
|
10.11
|
|
04.05.1989
|
JAM
|
10.09
|
10.10
|
|
11.06.1990
|
FRA
|
9.92
|
10.05w
|
|
14.05.1986
|
RSA
|
10.06
|
10.06
|
|
23.11.1982
|
JAM
|
9.72
|
9.88
|
|
21.09.1990
|
JAM
|
10.13
|
10.20
|
|
17.09.1981
|
JAM
|
10.11
|
10.28
|
Women's Shot Put
The gold (Adams) and silver (Ostapchuk) winners from last year's Worlds square off. They also are #1 and #2 in the world this year.
Both also medalled in Beijing.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
06.10.1984
|
NZL
|
21.24
|
20.67
|
|
12.10.1985
|
USA
|
19.86
|
19.22
|
|
24.01.1989
|
CHN
|
20.35
|
19.84
|
|
20.10.1975
|
GER
|
20.20
|
19.67
|
|
06.06.1988
|
CHN
|
18.74
|
18.41
|
|
28.10.1980
|
BLR
|
21.09
|
20.53
|
|
28.01.1983
|
ITA
|
19.15
|
17.43
|
|
17.02.1986
|
GER
|
18.59
|
18.59
|
Women's Javelin
The three medallists from the last Olympics (Špotáková, Abakumova, Obergföll) and last World Champs (Abakumova, Špotáková, Viljoen) are all entered.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
15.01.1986
|
RUS
|
71.99
|
66.86
|
|
31.12.1979
|
ITA
|
62.75
|
59.43
|
|
22.08.1981
|
GER
|
70.20
|
64.59
|
|
10.04.1986
|
USA
|
66.67
|
60.36
|
|
02.11.1981
|
SLO
|
67.16
|
65.24
|
|
16.07.1982
|
GBR
|
65.75
|
63.04
|
|
30.06.1981
|
CZE
|
72.28
|
66.17
|
|
06.10.1983
|
RSA
|
68.38
|
61.15
|
Women's Triple Jump
The three medallists from last year's Worlds (Saladuha, Rypakova, Ibargüen) will square off.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
14.08.1972
|
GBR
|
15.29
|
14.50
|
|
06.02.1983
|
BRA
|
14.57
|
14.31
|
|
12.02.1984
|
COL
|
14.99
|
14.95
|
|
14.04.1983
|
ITA
|
14.69
|
14.43
|
|
21.07.1976
|
RUS
|
15.34
|
13.84
|
|
30.11.1984
|
KAZ
|
15.25
|
14.33
|
|
04.06.1983
|
UKR
|
14.98
|
14.98
|
|
03.11.1988
|
JAM
|
14.33
|
14.33
|
Men's Pole Vault
Olympic champ Steve Hooker's comeback resulted in a no-height in Shanghai. Here he'll face the world leader and the #2 on the year - i.e., Renaud Lavillenie and Björn Otto. Last year's world champ Pawel Wojciechowski is also in the field.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
05.01.1979
|
ITA
|
5.90
|
5.60
|
|
04.08.1983
|
BRA
|
5.77
|
5.70
|
|
16.07.1982
|
AUS
|
6.00
|
5.10
|
|
18.09.1986
|
FRA
|
6.01
|
5.90
|
|
20.05.1986
|
GBR
|
5.72
|
5.72
|
|
13.07.1977
|
FRA
|
5.95
|
5.52
|
|
27.06.1986
|
GER
|
5.90
|
5.55
|
|
16.10.1977
|
GER
|
5.90
|
5.83
|
|
23.11.1991
|
ITA
|
5.55
|
5.42
|
|
06.06.1989
|
POL
|
5.91
|
5.52
|
Men's Discus Throw
Last year's 1-2-3 at Worlds in Harter, Kanter and Hadadi will throw. Kanter is the defending Olympic champ.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PB | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
13.02.1972
|
LTU
|
73.88
|
66.64
|
|
20.01.1985
|
IRI
|
69.32
|
68.20
|
|
18.10.1984
|
GER
|
70.66
|
70.66
|
|
06.05.1979
|
EST
|
73.38
|
66.32
|
|
22.12.1978
|
ITA
|
65.01
|
62.04
|
|
10.04.1979
|
HUN
|
69.95
|
68.21
|
|
07.06.1983
|
POL
|
69.83
|
68.94
|
|
21.12.1976
|
USA
|
68.76
|
62.26
|
Women's 400 Hurdles
The three medallists from last year's World Champs in Demus, Walker and Antyukh will battle. Demus was awful in her 400H opener Ostrava on May 25th (57.43).
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
26.06.1981
|
RUS
|
52.92
|
53.75
|
|
24.10.1989
|
USA
|
54.74
|
54.88
|
|
10.03.1983
|
USA
|
52.47
|
52.47
|
|
07.02.1978
|
ITA
|
55.78
|
56.23
|
|
19.12.1986
|
CZE
|
53.29
|
53.29
|
|
27.10.1987
|
NGR
|
54.59
|
55.07
|
|
21.12.1988
|
GBR
|
54.18
|
55.25
|
|
06.05.1987
|
JAM
|
52.79
|
54.99
|
|
01.03.1983
|
JAM
|
52.42
|
54.62
|
Men's 400 Hurdles
The three medallists from last year's worlds in Greene, Culson and van Zyl will race, as will 2004 Olympic champ Sanchez and 2005 world champ Jackson.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
16.05.1992
|
ITA
|
49.94
|
50.18
|
|
25.07.1984
|
PUR
|
47.72
|
48.00
|
|
03.03.1990
|
RSA
|
48.14
|
48.91
|
|
15.12.1991
|
TRI
|
48.26
|
48.89
|
|
11.04.1986
|
GBR
|
47.88
|
48.20
|
|
08.05.1983
|
USA
|
47.30
|
48.20
|
|
30.08.1977
|
DOM
|
47.25
|
48.74
|
|
20.07.1985
|
RSA
|
47.66
|
49.42
|
|
17.10.1989
|
GBR
|
48.71
|
50.29
|
Men's High Jump
The silver (Dmitrik) and bronze (Barry) medallists from last year's Worlds are here.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
14.06.1983
|
BAH
|
2.32
|
2.27
|
|
24.06.1991
|
QAT
|
2.35
|
2.35
|
|
17.07.1988
|
ITA
|
2.28
|
|
|
26.01.1988
|
GRE
|
2.32
|
2.32
|
|
12.04.1984
|
RUS
|
2.36
|
2.20
|
|
29.04.1989
|
ITA
|
2.28
|
|
|
03.10.1987
|
GBR
|
2.28
|
2.26
|
|
29.03.1986
|
RUS
|
2.36
|
2.34
|
|
27.12.1983
|
USA
|
2.37
|
2.30
|
|
04.06.1991
|
CHN
|
2.31
|
2.27
|
Men's Long Jump
None of last year's medallists are here, but 2008 silver medallist Godfrey Mokoena is as is 2012 outdoor world leader Greg Rutherford. Rutherford is tied for the British record with Chris Tomlinson, who also is jumping
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
06.04.1980
|
FIN
|
8.22
|
7.92
|
|
20.07.1983
|
GHA
|
8.43
|
7.99
|
|
07.12.1990
|
RUS
|
8.28
|
8.22
|
|
06.03.1985
|
RSA
|
8.50
|
8.29
|
|
17.11.1986
|
GBR
|
8.35
|
8.35
|
|
26.10.1978
|
FRA
|
8.42
|
7.79
|
|
15.09.1981
|
GBR
|
8.35
|
8.35
|
|
26.05.1986
|
SWE
|
8.19
|
8.19
|
Women's 100
Zero medallists from last year's Worlds but the 2008 Oympic champ Fraser-Pryce is running.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR | SB |
---|---|---|---|---|
23.08.1987
|
CIV
|
11.06
|
11.14
|
|
22.05.1985
|
NGR
|
11.03
|
11.21
|
|
04.10.1980
|
USA
|
11.02
|
11.13
|
|
27.07.1988
|
JAM
|
11.05
|
11.15
|
|
27.12.1986
|
JAM
|
10.73
|
11.00
|
|
16.09.1981
|
ISV
|
11.13
|
11.21
|
|
18.05.1984
|
BUL
|
10.77
|
11.45
|
|
12.08.1984
|
JAM
|
10.82
|
11.22
|
|
16.04.1984
|
JAM
|
10.75
|
10.98
|
Women's 100 Hurdles
This is a mini-US Olympic Trials.
American Danielle Carruthers won silver last year at Worlds and Dawn Harper won bronze last year and gold in 2008. And, oh yeah - Kellie Wells won the US champs. But none of them are as glamorous or a virgin like Lolo Jones, so you may not know who they are.
The #2 in the world this year is Brigitte Foster-Hylton.
Athlete | DATE OF BIRTH | Nation | PR |
---|---|---|---|
23.10.1981
|
ITA
|
12.85
|
|
22.12.1979
|
USA
|
12.47
|
|
07.11.1974
|
JAM
|
12.45
|
|
13.05.1984
|
USA
|
12.47
|
|
05.08.1982
|
USA
|
12.43
|
|
26.08.1982
|
CAN
|
12.49
|
|
01.05.1979
|
USA
|
12.43
|
|
13.11.1987
|
GBR
|
12.56
|
|
16.07.1982
|
USA
|
12.50
|
|
|
|