It's time to get read for Worlds as they start on Friday. Wilson is the favorite for gold but might America sweep the medals and go 1-2-3?

There may be a debate about whether Caster Semenya should be allowed to compete, but there was no debate about who the best women's 800 runner was in 2016. American Kate Grace returned from injury with a career year, fulfilling her "dream, dream goal" of making the Olympic final in Rio, but was that enough to crack our world top 10?

After CAS overturned the IAAF's hyperandrogenism policy last year, Semenya has been unstoppable; the only question in Rio is whether she wants to break the world record. World Indoor medallists Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Margaret Wambui of Kenya are the favorites for silver and bronze, though Canada's Melissa Bishop and Kenya's Eunice Sum both have a shot.

Wilson looks to be in good shape but has her hands full in a truly spectacular women's 800 with Caster Semenya, Francine Niyonsaba and all of the medalists from 2015. There's also Elijah Manang'oi in the men's 1,500, Trayvon Bromell in the 200, Justin Gatlin in the 100, Wayde van Niekerk in the 400, Marquise Goodwin vs. Greg Rutherford in the LJ, English Gardner vs. Elaine Thompson in the 100 and Gianmarco Tamberi in the HJ. *MB: Official 2016 Rome Golden Gala Diamond League Discussion Thread.

The Diamond League's debut in Africa features some great distance matchups. Everyone is hyping the women's 5000 at Pre next week but the gold (Almaz Ayana) and silver medallists (Senbere Teferi) are both in Rabat this weekend. Adam Kszczot, Amel Tuka and Nijel Amos headline the men's 800, while MMB joins Jairus Birech and Conseslus Kipruto in the steeple. And then women's 800 where World Indoor champ Francine Niyonsaba will aim to take down Caster Semenya. Plus LaShawn Merritt in the 400 and Erik Kynard vs. Gianmarco Tamberi in the HJ.

Are you ready for the start of the 2016 professional track and field season? You'd better be as the 2016 IAAF Diamond League season starts on Friday with a big bang and A TON of awesome races that feature clashes between the very best in the World: #1 Kiprop vs. #2 Manang'oi in the 1,500, #1 Birech vs. #2 Kipruto and #3 Kemboi  in the steeple, #1 Sum vs. #1 Semenya in the 800, and #1 Ayana vs. #1 Cheruiyot in the 3,000. There's also Mutaz Essa Barshim vs. Derek Drouin in the high jump, Tori Bowie vs. Dafne Schippers in the 200, Omar McLeod vs. Aries Merritt in the 110 hurdles. Plus Sandi Morris (PV), LaShawn Merritt (400) and Christian Taylor (TJ).

LRC's latest dispatch from Kenya includes a recap from the "City of Champions," where Andy Arnold tells you who's looking good (Ezekiel Kemboi, Elijah Manangoi, Timothy Cheruiyot), why Kiprop can go sub-3:26 this year and why he's become a Birech fan. Plus did he spot Kenyan's newest teen sensation? Updated with altitude conversions.

Eunice Sum nabs the top spot as the only race she lost all year was Worlds. Our US #1 Alysia Montano cracks the world top 10.

$50,000 paydays were on the line in a number of events which helped spice up the action and prevent the athletes from succumbing to post-Worlds jet-lag/hangovers. How did Evan Jager, Jenny Simpson, Shannon Rowbury, Emily Infeld, Robby Andrews and Leo the Lion do?

Thursday's meet should be a lot of fun. It serves as a chance for redemption for Evan Jager and Jairus Birech, a $40,000 match race between Asbel Kiprop and Silas Kiplagat, and a battle royale at 3,000 between Emily Infeld, Shannon Rowbury and Jenny Simpson. Plus Mo Aman versus Rudisha and more. 

 A super tight one for 800 glory.

24 women, 10 PRs and no Americans in the final. The three women's 800 semifinals were insane as Canada's Melissa Bishop led all the qualifiers in 1:57.52 (a two-second PR!). Americans Molly Ludlow and Brenda Martinez went home as the final time qualifier was a ridiculous 1:58.35.

Montaño went down with 200 to go in her heat and her protest was unsuccessful so she'll sit out the semis and final. Molly Ludlow was only sixth but her heat was by far the fastest on the day and she made it in on time (2:00.70) while Brenda Martinez had to work for it in the final 100 after being boxed in. Ben True comfortably grabbed an auto qualifier in heat 1 of the 5,000 while Ryan Hill and Galen Rupp made it on time in a much faster heat 2.

Wit Ajee Wilson out, no one without internal testicles stands a chance against Eunice Sum, but should she be nervous give the recent CAS ruling? As for who medals behind Sum, it's wide open and our friend in Britain and Canada are dreaming of medal(s).

5 thoughts and highlights from the Kenyan Trials as Asbel Kiprop gets in some showboating practice + some really fast times by  Geoffrey Kamworor and Faith Kipyegon and a loss by David Rudisha.