Preview: ExxonMobil Bislett Games

The incomparable Usain Bolt heads the list of entries in the 100m as he and Asafa Powell renew their rivalry. Whenever these natives of Jamaica race, you can guarantee sub 10 seconds! Despite Bolt’s effortless win in Rome, Powell has a very fine record at Bislett stadium winning the short sprint on four occasions.
 
World, European and Commonwealth Champion “Dai” Greene from Britain takes on the challenge of this year’s world no.1 the Puerto Rican Javier Culson in the 400m hurdles.

An Oslo tradition is the Dream Mile, last year won by the Olympic and World Champion Asbel Kiprop. The tall Kenyan returns as nominal event favourite but will have to face  the challenge of several  in form runners including his countrymen Caleb Nidiku and James Magut who were both impressive in Eugene. Many eyes in the crowd will be on the new Norwegian record holder for 1500m, Henrik Ingebrigtsen.

The race of the night might well be the men’s 5000m. Olympic Champion and World record-holder Kenenisa Bekele showed he is returning to his best form with an eye catching 4th pace in Eugene. He will again not have things all his own way as a powerful field of his Ethiopians are all looking to impress their national selectors. Shanghai winner Hagos Gebrhiwet and multi medallist Sileshi Sihine will join Bekele’s younger brother Tariku as major challengers, whilst Kenyans Bett and Rotich are both looking to qualify at 5000m after just failing to make the London team over the 10,000m.

In the field, France’s Renaud Lavillenie who overcame a back injury to win the pole vault in Rome will head a list of competitors including the Germans Otto and Mohr who are all looking for results in access of 5.80m. European Champion David Storl (Germany) and Olympic Champion Tomas Majewski of Poland will lock horns in the Shot Put with the current world no.2 Dylan Armstrong.

The women’s program will be headed by the return to Europe of the 2011 Female Athlete of the Year, Sally Pearson in the 100m hurdles. Silver medallist from both indoors and outdoors (Porter and Carruthers) will provide the challenge but look for big local support for Norway’s Christina Vukicevic who won the event last year.

In 2011 no female athlete ran under 4 minutes for the 1500m. Already this season that standard has been surpassed by three separate athletes. Ethiopians Abebe Aregawi, World indoor champion Genzebe Dibaba and Kenya’s Helen Obiri. All three are set to do battle again in Bislett and another fast time is certainly a possibility with Anna Luchkina providing a reliable pace.

Momentum is gathering in the women’s Long Jump with Russian Olga Kucherenko already beyond 7 meters this season. Indoor medallists Janay Deloach (USA) and Britain’s Shara Procter who produced a personal best of 6.84m in Eugene are closing in on the 7 meter mark. Also look for an impressive performance from Norway’s Margrethe Renstrøm who has shown in recent weeks that she has the ability to compete with the world’s best.