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The Grand Prix circuit continues this evening at Olympic Stadium in Athens. Some of the key match-ups:
MEN -
100m: With the current superstar names missing, the fast Athens track could provide Bahamian Derrick Atkins (9.98), one of this year's two new members of the sub-10 club, an opportunity to stand out. The 23-year-old's first race since his 9.83w behind Tyson Gay at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York (2-Jun). Also in the field, and back on the track where he struck Olympic silver is European double sprint champion Francis Obikwelu (10.06 this season). Competing against five men who have run 10.00 or better, a good field for Briton Craig Pickering (10.15 PB) to size himself up more accurately.
800m: Yuriy Borzakovskiy racing again for the third time in five days; the Olympic champion hasn't done that since the 2005 World Championships. First outing for Mohamed Al-Azimi (1:44.56) of Kuwait since his Oslo win. In five races this season, Ugandan teenager Abraham Chepkirwok has a pair of Grand Prix wins and three third place finishes.
110m Hurdles: First race since US Championships for David Oliver, who passed the first major test of his career with his runner-up finish and ticket to Osaka. US record holder Dominique Arnold also in his first race since taking third at the US Championships. David Payne bounced back from his fourth place finish at the US Championships with a commanding win in Ostrava (27-Jun). Cuban Dayron Robles is looking to come back from his disappointing third in Ostrava where he clocked 13.45, his slowest time of the season in a final. Ryan Wilson won't be going to Osaka, but he's run 13.02 this year.
Long Jump: Will Luis Tsatoumas continue his roll? The world leader (8.66) has jumped sensationally well at home this season, and Monday will be his last opportunity to do so again. Field also includes US Championships runner-up Miguel Pate, South African Godfrey Mokoena (8.34 at altitude this year) and European champion Andrew Howe.
400m Hurdles: Before Wednesday's race in Ostrava, reigning world champion Bershawn Jackson said, "There's a new Sheriff in town." Said Felix Sanchez, the 2001 and 2003 world champ: "The reason that Bershawn was No 1. in '05 and No. 2 in '06 was because I wasn’t running." While Jackson laid on the ground next to hurdle No. 10 after taking a tumble for the first time in his career, Sanchez came huffing home a well-beaten sixth (50.82) after an overly-aggressive and lightning quick first half. After his 45.06 PB in the second of three difficult 400m rounds at the US Championships, Jackson is obviously faster than he's ever been. This time they'll meet on Periklis Iakovakis's turf. After his clear 48.35 win at the European Cup last weekend the European champion showed he's quickly getting into shape.
High Jump: Others have jumped higher but 22-year-old Kyriacos Ioannou of Cyprus (2.32) has won each of his five outings this season, including Ostrava (27-Jun) against a top notch field.
Pole Vault: Australians Steve Hooker and Paul Burgess (both 5.91 in January) return to action along with Osaka-bound Jeff Harwig, the U.S. Champion.
Discus Throw: Reigning Olympic, World and European champion Virgilijus Alekna going for consecutive victory No. 32. Five of the six men who have thrown beyond 67m this year are in the field, including world leader Gerd Kanter (72.02).
WOMEN -
100m: First outing for Olympic 200m champion and 100m world leader (10.89) Veronica Campbell after her strong double win at last weekend's Jamaican Championships. First race for Carmelita Jeter since her surprise third place finish at the U.S. Championships. Double European sprint champion Kim Gevaert is also in the field.
200m: Both Campbell and Gevaert are entered here as well, with the former deciding this morning whether she will contest both events.
800m: Plenty of fast Russians including Svetlana Cherkasova (1:59.05) who was very impressive in Ostrava (27-Jun), but the fastest in the field thus far this season is Jamaican Kenia Sinclair (1:58.62). Five in the field have gone under two minutes this year.
1500m: Russia has the most 1500m depth on the planet, and virtually the entire crew will be here. After her 4:15.63 mile on Friday, Yelena Soboleva has the momentum. Last year Soboleva won in a quick 3:56.74. Two-time world champion Tatyana Tomashova is also in the field, along with Bahraini Maryam Yusef Jamal. Great test for rising Australian Lisa Corrigan (4:05.25 PB over the winter).
3000m Steeplechase: This will be a showcase for Russian Gulnara Samitova-Galkina, the world record holder (9:01.59/2004) and world leader (9:14.37). Rapidly improving Kenyan Eunice Jepkorir (9:19.44) is in the field, along with European champion Alesia Turava, last year's No. 1 (9:16.51/2006) in her first steeplechase of the season. Pole Wioletta Janowska, who won last year in 9:17.15, returns. World record attempt? The main problem is finding a steepler fast enough who's willing to help set the pace.
400m Hurdles: Showcase for reigning Olympic champion Fani Halkia. She'll face US championships runner-up Sheena Johnson and 2003 world champion Jana Rawlinson, who was sidelined from her scheduled appearance in Ostrava. World record holder and reigning world champion Yuliya Pechonkina was initially announced but doesn't appear on latest start list.
Triple Jump: First outing of the season for Russian star Tatyana Lebedeva in her better event. Could we see the first 15m jump of the year? World leader Yargelis Savigne (14.99) and reigning world champion Trecia Smith of Jamaica are also in the field. The first major international test for Slovenia's Marija Sestak, who rose up the ranks after her 14.92 (Currently No. 2 in the world) at home in early June.
Javelin Throw: Five of the season's six best are in the field. Returning to action is German Christina Obergfoll, who hit 70m again last weekend at the European Cup (70.20 European record).
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