Asher-smith relishes new dress rehearsal for worlds
In every previous incarnation in the Diamond League’s 10-year history, the final has been something of an after-thought that follows the season’s major competition. Thanks to the wisdom – or otherwise – of scheduling the World Championships in late September to try to avoid the heat of Doha, for the first time this year the Diamond League concludes beforehand.
This provides the guarantee of a series of dress rehearsals ahead of the main event next month and for Britain’s Dina Asher-smith that means a showdown against the world’s best 200metres runners in Zurich tonight, before the same in the 100m next week at the second Diamond League final in Brussels.
Shaunae Miller-uibo, undefeated over the past two years, must start as favourite to replicate her 200m victory over Asher-smith from Birmingham a fortnight ago – but with the Bahamian only running 400m in Doha, it is the battle for second that may provide most clues.
Asher-smith filled that spot in Birmingham but this time Jamaica’s Olympic champion Elaine Thompson, the fastest woman in the world this year, also lines up. Asher-smith welcomes the rare chance to contest the Diamond League final before putting her feet up after the World Championships.
“It means you get a preview [of the World Championships], but also after any major championship you just want to sleep, go home and eat because you’re so focused for six months beforehand,” she said. “So having it before is really good.”
Meanwhile, Jamaica’s world under-20 double sprint gold medallist Briana Williams has tested positive for a banned diuretic, potentially ruling her out of Doha.
Williams has denied any wrongdoing and her lawyer said the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide appeared to have been in an over-the-counter cold remedy that Williams had purchased. Both of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ samples were returned positive.