Diamond Dash: Asbel Kiprop leads an Olympic quality 1500m field in Paris

Kiprop #1 (courtesy TrackAndFieldPhoto)

There's a chance all three medal winners from the Beijing Olympics Men's 1500m final could be competing Friday at Meeting Areva (Diamond League Paris). Gold Medal winner, Asbel Kiprop, leads the field that includes Silver Medalist, Nick Willis, and possibly Bronze Medalist and local Frenchman, Mehdi Baala (as Willis mentioned in an article this week that Baala is "expected to race"), although he doesn't appear on the provisional entry list.

The field is stacked with top Americans as well, as Bernard Lagat, Andrew Wheating, Leo Manzano and Matt Centrowitz will be ready to face the star-studded field with podium finishes and World Championships A-standards on the line. Paris was special to America in 2007 as Alan Webb outkicked Baala to hit the tape first in an outstanding 3:30.54.

Also on the bill is Mr. Bolt in the 200m against white lightning, Frenchman Christophe Lemaitre, as well as a showdown in the 110m Hurdles of Cuba's Dayron Robles and David Oliver. It will be great to see those two and Liu Xiang in the same race in Daegu.

Finally, keep an eye on the women's 5000m as Amy Hastings will be going after the A-standard and Shalane Flanagan may be taking a crack at regaining her American Record, coming off a strong 30:59 10,000 at USATF Nationals.

Universal Sports will be broadcasting the event on television and online.

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