Simpson will have her hands full with the red-hot Hassan as Shannon Rowbury, Brenda Martinez, Genzebe Dibaba and Meraf Bahta (who beat Hassan to win 5,000 gold at Euros) are also entered in the 1500. Coburn will try to lower her American record as she battles Ethiopian rivals Hiwot Ayalew and Sofia Assefa.
An unusually high number of races had to be restarted with Sally Pearson being DQd for a false start in the 100H.