Four Big Events To Watch At The World Athletics Indoor Tour In Liévin
Four Big Events To Watch At The World Athletics Indoor Tour In Liévin
The World Athletics Indoor World Tour is making a stop in Liévin, France this weekend and the bulk of the fields are star-studded with world-class talent.
After a riveting couple of meets in Boston and Valencia this last week, the World Athletics Indoor Tour is heading to Liévin, France.
In one of the many stops on the World Athletics Indoor Tour, the fields for Liévin this Saturday are star-studded. From world champions to world record-holders, Saturday's competition should have it all.
Here are four of the events that you for sure need to look out for this weekend.
Holloway Eyes Another Quick Mark
It has been exactly 2,185 days since American Grant Holloway has lost a 60mH, making him a crisp 40-0 since. Besides being the world record-holder and owner of eight of the 12 fastest times in indoor history, Holloway is also far and away the best hurdler in the world. After getting his 2024 season off to a winning start at New Balance Grand Prix last weekend, Holloway will look to lower his 7.35 season best and see if he can break his own 60mH world record yet again. The American is in a league of his own, especially in this field. However, Jakub Szymanski of Poland and Frenchman Just Kwaou-Mathey have both run 7.50 or faster this season and are the best challengers to the three-time defending 110mH world champion.
Moon, McCartney Prep For Pole Vault Battle
With a field highlighted by the most dominant vaulter in the world, this is set to be a favorite among fans on Saturday. American Katie Moon, a two-time world champion and the Tokyo Olympic champion, enters the competition as the top seed, despite having the second worst season best out of the the 11 women competing. Familiar names including New Zealand's Eliza McCartney, Finland's Wilma Murto and Great Britain's Molly Caudery. So far this season, Caudery and Murto are the lone women in the field to have cleared 4.80m.
Loaded Men's 3K Field On Deck
At one point, world-record holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia was set to return to the same venue he made history at a year ago, but as of now, he's no longer in the start lists, instead opting for the 2,000m. Regardless, fellow Ethiopians Selemon Barega and Hagos Gebrhiwet are slated to battle over 15 laps and put on a show. Berega and Wale currently sit 1-2 in the world right now, as the pair clocked 7:25.82 and 7:26.73 just a few days ago in Poland. Ethopian Samuel Tefera, who's also in the race, ran 7:33.80 last month and is No. 4 this season. With or without Girma, this race is going to be a fast one, and has a chance to lower the world record.
Bol Looks To Stay In Win Column
Reigning 400mH world champion Femke Bol of the Netherlands has just five losses since the start of 2022 to her name. She hasn't let anyone beat her since the 200m at the Dutch Championships, which stands as the lone blemish on her resume as of late. However, her event of choice this weekend is the 400m, an event where she is not only the current world lead, but also the short track world record holder. Bol is going up against Dutch teammate Lieke Klaver, who sits No. 2 in the world right now. Throw in Great Britain's Laviai Nielsen, Romania's Andrea Miklos and France's Amandine Brossier, and you've got yourself an incredibly fast and competitive two-lap clash.