Letsile Tebogo, Fred Kerley, and other Olympic finalists will return for the Rome Diamond League, where Christian Coleman will be seeking redemption in a tantalizing 100m battle.
Letsile Tebogo and Fred Kerley will lead a star-studded field that includes other 100m Olympic finalists who’ll be in Rome for the Golden Gala on Friday (30) as the Italian capital hosts the 13th Wanda Diamond League meeting of the season – where Christian Coleman will seek redemption.
The American speedster disappointingly finished fourth at the US Olympic trials, hence not making the individual team. Despite being included in the 4x100m relay squad, Coleman had a Paris outing to forget after an unsuccessful attempt in his baton handover to Kenny Bednarek in the final, which led to a disqualification.
With the Paris Olympics now a thing of the past, the world indoor champion will be gunning for redemption against a formidable field in Rome that includes some of the 100m finalists.
Top on the list is Paris bronze medallist – Kerley, who is brimming with confidence after running a Meeting Record of 9.87s in Silesia and will be aiming for another famous win against Botswana’s Tebogo, who won the Olympic 200m title in an African record of 19.46s after placing sixth in the 100m final in a national record of 9.86s.
Italy’s Marcell Jacobs may have lost his Olympic title in Paris, but racing in front of his home crowd will be an extra motivation for a win and a return to the conversation as an elite performer like he did three years ago.
Consequently, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala seems to have found his speed rhythm back following an impressive display of 9.88s to finish behind Kerley in Silesia, so will be gunning for the same measure or a better performance.
Letsile Tebogo was received at the Vatican by Pope Francis with prayers for his late mother and received the Holy Father’s signature on his Paris Olympics-winning spikes.
Completing the field are Coleman’s training partner Kyree King, Great Britain’s speed sensation Jeremiah Azu, and Japanese speed king Hakim Sani Brown.
Jamaica’s Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson was initially included in the list but has been replaced by his compatriot Ackeem Blake.
Following Divine Iheme setting an age-14 world best and the viral video of Australia’s wonder kid Gout Gout, track fans are divided on the ‘Next Usain Bolt’ debate which can be a future Messi vs Ronald rivalry of the 100m.
With the level of competition listed for Rome, the eventual winner will stand as the outright favourite to claim the Diamond League trophy on September 14th in Brussels.
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