3rd May 2018

BRITISH QUARTET SET FOR DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE OPENER

The much-anticipated return of the IAAF Diamond League commences on Friday evening in Doha with four Brits taking on world-class fields.

Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake is involved in the blockbuster event of the programme, the men’s 200m. The world relay champion recorded a rapid 10.08 clocking in Baton Rouge two weeks ago, and lines-up alongside a stacked field in Qatar.

Six of the field have PBs under twenty seconds including 2017 world champion Ramil Guliyev (TUR), Commonwealth champion Jareem Richards (TTO) and Olympic silver medallist Andre de Grasse (CAN). Throw in America’s Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Rasheed Dwyer as sub-twenty sprinters.

There will also be an appearance from reigning Olympic and world champion over 110m hurdles Omar McLeod (JAM) who takes on the 200m. The race gets underway at 18:36 UK time.

Holly Bradshaw (coach: Scott Simpson) returns to the Diamond League circuit alongside a stellar field in the pole vault which includes Olympic and world champion Katerina Stefanidi, and newly crowned world indoor champion Sandi Morris. Bradshaw was fourth at last month’s Commonwealth Games.

Eilish McColgan (Liz McColgan) competes in the 3000m which includes the likes of Hellen Obiri (KEN) and Jenny Simpson (USA). After competing over 1500m and 5000m in Australia last month at the Commonwealth Games, it is a quick return to the track for the Dundee Hawkshill athlete.

Jack Green (June Plews) – who was so close to a 400m hurdles bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games – will be looking to continue his fine form at the opening fixture of the series. He will take on Commonwealth gold medallist Kyron McMaster (IVB) who looked very impressive last month.

Introduced last season, the championship format continues in the 2018 IAAF Diamond League, with athletes set to take their first steps on the Road To The Final in Doha this week.

In each Diamond Discipline, the stars have the chance to pick up points at a series of meetings on the Road To The Final, and the highest scoring athletes over the course of the season will book their place in the IAAF Diamond League Final in Brussels or Zurich.

The Doha Diamond League will be live on Eurosport 2 on Friday 4 May from 17:00. Highlights will be available on BBC Two on Sunday 6 May from 18:00.

Start lists and timetable can be found here.