Olympic silver medallist Hellen Obiri will battle Francine Niyonsaba from Namibia at the finals of the Wanda Diamond League that will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, as the world’s best athletes descend on Zurich for a two-day feast of athletics to decide who will get their hands on the Diamond Trophy 2021.
Niyonsaba has had a successful reinvention as a long-distance runner with a new Burundian national record of 14:25.34, almost 30 seconds inside her previous personal best, to win the 5000m.
The Rio 2016 800m silver medallist switched to longer distances after being found to have elevated testosterone levels.
Obiri was beaten by Francine in Brussels over the same distance and it will be a tough call for her to overturn this in regard to Namibia’s current form.
Three more Kenyans have been lined up for the final including the 2017 World Cross Country senior Champion Lilian Kasait Rengeruk. Kasait comes to this race with a seasonal best of 14:30.32. Beatrice Chebet who is the 2018 World U20 Champion is also in the list as well as Eva Cherono who is also the 2019 World Cross Country silver medallist Champion.
Ethiopia will be represented by Elgayehu Taye who holds the fastest time on paper of 14:14.19 and Fantu Worku who has a season best of 14:26.80
LEADING RESULTS
WOMEN 5000M
- Elgayehu Taye (ETH) 14:14.09
- Francine Niyonsaba (NAM) 14:25.34
- Hellen Obiri (KEN) 14:26.23
- Fantu Worku (ETH) 14:26.80
- Lilian Kasait Rengeruk (KEN) 14:30.32
- Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 14:34.55
- Eva Cherono (KEN) 14:30.77