Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred & Faith Kipyegon face uphill battle as Diamond League final spots hang by a thread

Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred & Faith Kipyegon face uphill battle as Diamond League final spots hang by a thread

Festus Chuma 17:39 - 20.08.2024

Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred, and Faith Kipyegon race for points in the final Diamond League meets to qualify for Brussels.

Four more opportunities remain in the 2024 Wanda Diamond League season, where track and field stars vie for their last chance at global glory.

As the athletes transition from the highs of the Paris Olympics, their focus narrows on the prestigious Diamond League Final in Brussels, set for September 13th-14th.

Amidst the contenders, Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred, and Faith Kipyegon stand out as they hustle for crucial points to secure their spots.

In the men's 100m, American sprinter Noah Lyles finds himself in a precarious 10th position. The Olympic champion Lyles is aiming for his sixth Diamond League title.

Similarly, the tension is palpable for St. Lucian star Julien Alfred. Fresh off a victory in Monaco last month, Alfred leads the women’s 100m standings with 15 points.

Despite her current lead, the competitive field means no assurances, necessitating continued excellence in her upcoming races to clinch her qualification.

Kenyan middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon also finds herself in a chase for points.

As the reigning champion in the women’s 1500m, Kipyegon’s position at ninth place leaves her on the brink.

Her season highlight was setting a world record at the Meeting de Paris, yet she needs a strong finish in the remaining events to defend her Diamond League title and return to the finals.

The next meeting will be Lausanne’s Athletissima which is the 11th leg of the series. The event promises to be a battleground for points and positions, with the subsequent meets in Silesia, Rome, and Zurich offering the final chances to make their mark.

The Road to the Final has seen dramatic twists this season, emphasizing the relentless competition and high stakes involved.

With 48 athletes, including notable names like Mondo Duplantis and Marileidy Paulino, already securing their spots, the pressure intensifies for those still in the hunt.

With 13 disciplines still open for qualification, including the men's 200m and women's high jump, the final chapters of this season promise thrilling contests and heroic efforts.

Olympic champions like Letsile Tebogo and Yaroslava Mahuchikh may seem secure with their points tally, but in the Diamond League, nothing is certain until the final race is run for the ultimate prize—the Diamond Trophy and the $30,000 (Ksh 3.8 million) reward that accompanies it.