2012 Bislett Games, Oslo Diamond League - Preview

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The middle distances are taking over the track this Thursday in Oslo where world leaders are competing for a win in both the men’s dream mile and the women’s 1500m.  Make sure to grab a good seat for these races.  You don’t want to miss this.

The women’s 1500 kicks off this middle distance party with three women who broke the four minute barrier last week in Rome.  Abeba Aregawi was a huge upset running 3:56 in Rome to take down Genzebe Dibaba. The two Ethiopian powerhouses will match up against each other again in Oslo along with Helen Obiri who also broke four in Rome with a 3:59.  Morgan Uceny, former 1500 leader, will also be competing in the field with a season’s best of 4:01.

The men’s Dream Mile follows the women’s 1500 showdown with a mind-blowing field of Asbel Kiprop, who is looking to continue his winning streak from the Pre Classic, as well as Mekonnen Gebremedhin, Bethwell Birgen, and Caleb Mwanangi Ndiku who have all run 3:50 this season.  Kiprop (3:49), Gebremedhin (3:50.17), and Birgen (3:50.43) are currently the fastest milers in the world running in a stacked field and should provide a great show come Thursday. 

The women’s steeplechase is another contender for most exciting race of the meet as three of the world leaders will be competing for the win.  Milcah Chemos and Sofia Assefa have squared off in Shanghai and Eugene, finishing first and second in both meets.  Their rivalry continues in Oslo, but will also include Ethiopia’s Hiwot Ayalew who has posted a season’s best of 9:15. 

The men’s 5k will also be a sight to see with four runners under 13 minutes scheduled to toe the line in a fierce-looking field filled with some dangerous names in distance running.  Kenensia Bekele and his brother Tariku are both at it again after racing at the Pre Classic along with last year’s bronze medalist at worlds, Dejen Gebremeskel, 2011 10,000 bronze medalist Imane Merga, and two time Olympic silver medalist Sileshi Sihine. 

The meet will end with a bang once the men’s 100 gets underway.  Three Jamaicans who have all run under 10 seconds are favored in this field. Usain Bolt, the current world leader with a time of 9.76, will take on fellow Jamaican teammates Asafa Powell (9.88) and Lerone Clark (9.99).  After Bolt’s close victory over Powell in Rome, Oslo should provide an interesting rematch for the pair.  

Don’t miss any of the action and stay tuned on Flotrack and Universal Sports for live coverage of the 2012 Bislett Games.