WHAT TO WATCH
SAILING SCHIPPERS:
A bronze medal in the 100 meters at the worlds has only energized Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers in her bid to defend her 200 title. Schippers’ biggest challenger in the final will be Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, who finished a disappointing fourth in the 400 after stumbling while glancing at the scoreboard near the finish line. “I live and I learn through it,” said Miller-Uibo, who won her semifinal heat Thursday. “I’m getting over it. Focusing on the 200.” Another challenger is Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, the silver medalist in the 100. Missing from the field will be American sprinter Tori Bowie, who didn’t start her first heat because of a banged-up hip from a fall over the line after winning the 100.
Ruth Jebet had quite a stretch last season — winning the Olympic steeplechase title in Brazil and days later breaking the world record. A transfer from Kenya, Jebet represents Bahrain. Her biggest obstacles will be defending champion Hyvin Jepkemoi of Kenya and American Emma Coburn, who captured bronze in Rio.
With Ashton
THE CHASE IS ON: FIRST FIVE:
Eaton retired, a new decathlon champion will be crowned for the first time since 2011 at any world championship or Olympics. The first five events take place Friday. Damian Warner of Canada won silver two years ago in Beijing, and was often Eaton’s closest pursuer. The wild-cards in the event are Olympic silver medalist Kevin Mayer of France and Trey Hardee of the United States, who captured gold at the 2009 and ‘11 world championships.
HAMMER, HAMMER, HAMMER:
Pawel Fajdek of Poland is the favorite to win his third straight world championship title in the hammer throw. If he doesn’t win, the gold may stay in Poland. Wojciech Nowicki had the longest throw in qualifying and has bronze medals from last year’s Olympics and the 2015 worlds.
100-meter hurdles world-record holder Kendra Harrison leads a strong American crew into the first round. Harrison didn’t earn a place on the U.S. hurdles squad for Rio last July, but soon after went on to set the world record. Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali is in the field, along with 2008 Olympic champion Dawn HarperNelson. The final is Saturday.
STRONG CAST: