As IAAF Diamond League meetings go few can match up to the excitement, twists and memorable performances that Monaco has seen over the years.
Last year saw world leads galore and even a phenomenal 3000m steeplechase record from Beatrice Chepkoech. The Kenyan will return to Monaco hoping to produce another big performance, while many other famous names in the sport will also head to Herculis for an exciting set of contests.
Here is how you can tune in to all the action and just what you can expect from the vibrant Monaco meeting.
How to Watch
Aside from Thursday night’s women’s triple jump, all Diamond League contests will be broadcast live on Eurosport 2 from 7pm-9pm BST on Friday. Footage from the triple jump will be available on the Diamond League’s official Youtube channel.
A one hour highlights show from BBC Two can also be viewed from 10am-11am BST, with the show available afterwards on demand through BBC iPlayer.
Live updates and results from the event can also be followed on the Diamond League website and Twitter account @Diamond_League with highlights also available on the Youtube channel.
Who to Watch
Track
World record holders collide in the women’s ‘Brave like Gabe Mile’, as an interesting mix of long distance forces sees fastest ever 1500m runner Genzebe Dibaba take on 3000m steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech. The always dangerous Sifan Hassan also takes part, along with Commonwealth steeplechase winner Aisha Praught-Leer, in what will no doubt be a highly absorbing four lap battle.
After his superb 200m victory in Lausanne, the sensational Noah Lyles looks to do it all over again in the men’s 100m in Monaco. The 200m Diamond League Trophy winner already has a 100m victory under his belt this year and will once again take a lot of stopping from American rivals Justin Gatlin and Cravon Gillespie, while mutiple African medallist Divine Oduduru will also be a favourite.
For the first time this season, 200m Diamond Trophy winner Shaunae Miller-Uibo takes the first step to defending her title. She has a tough task on her hands, with the revitalised Elaine Thompson stepping in to try and wreak havoc, along with Stanford winner Blessing Okagbare and Oslo winner Dafne Schippers, with all of them having multiple international medals to their name.
A mouthwatering mix of strong runners will take to the track in the men’s 800m, which so far this year has proven too close to call. Nijel Amos is looking for his third win this season but has world champion Pierre Andre-Bosse making his first appearance this season, while European champion Adam Kszczot will also be a force to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile, it could go right down to the wire in the men’s 3000m steeplechase which sees Getnet Wale looking to kick on from his brilliant win in Rabat, once again taking on his Ethiopian rival Chala Beyo and Benjamin Kigen, while Doha winner and world silver medallist Sofiane El Bakkali looks to get his season back on track.
The explosive women’s 100m hurdles contest once again features a very stacked field. This year 21-year-old Janeek Brown has been added into the mix and competes against world record holder Kendra Harrison, world indoor silver medallist Christina Clements and world gold medallist Danielle Williams.
The young, exciting Sydney McLaughlin looks to humble her counterparts in the women’s 400m hurdles, but has world champion Kori Carter and Commonwealth champion Janieve Russell for close company.
There will be a new winner this season in the men’s 400m young talents Kahmari Montgomery and Jonathan Jones looking like strong favourites for the race, while 400m hurdles maestro Abderrahman Samba also enters the 400m fray.
Field
The triple jump powerhouses once again collide as world and olympic champion Christian Taylor faces the man responsible for halting his six year Diamond League reign, Pedro Pablo Pichardo. The pair have had some classic encounters in the past and Monaco could be set for another one, while world indoor champion Will Claye also looks to get himself into the mix for a pulsating, unpredictable matchup, with all three now having personal bests over 18 metres.
On the women’s side, world gold medallists Caterine Ibarguen and Yulimar Rojas feature. Diamond Trophy winner Ibarguen just came out on top in Lausanne, but knows full well what the Venezuelan is capable of, as will Shanieka Ricketts and Keturah Orji.
German rivals Thomas Röhler and Andreas Hofmann meet in the men’s javelin with Olympic and European champion Röhler looking for his first Diamond League win this year.
European medallist Magnus Kirt will also be one to watch in the men’s javelin, with world decathlon record holder Kevin Mayer also making his first Diamond League appearance this season.
The unstoppable Mariya Lasitskene looks to make it five successive Diamond League wins this season in the women’s high jump, with the European champion still having the world record in her sights as she looks to hold off the likes of Mirela Demireva, Erika Kinsey and Nicola McDermott.
