Time to shine - Thompson, Goule among Jamaicans looking to sparkle in Monaco

Six Jamaicans, headed by double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson, will be in action on the track today as the IAAF Diamond League circuit makes its stop in Monaco.

Thompson, who is yet to hit top form this season, will get another shot at turning some heads when she competes in a quality 100m field.

Following a surprise defeat in the event last Saturday at the Athletics World Cup in London, where she was beaten by the United States' Ashley Henderson, Thompson will be gunning for what would her fifth win in 10 100m starts with the likes of Cote d'Ivoire duo Marie Josee Ta Lou and Murielle Ahoure, along with Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria, Jenna Prandini of the United States, and The Netherlands' Dafne Schippers all looking to keep her win-less in the Diamond League this season.

With a season and personal best 10.85 seconds, Ta Lou is unbeaten in the event this season and is the Diamond League leader, making her the favourite to continue her winning ways.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Hansle Parchment will have it all to do when he competes in the 110m hurdles. The towering sprint hurdler has been doing well so far this season, but he will have to be at his best if he is to have a say in a field led by world leader Sergey Shubenkov of Russia, who is the only sub-13-second man in the line-up this season, having gone 12.92 seconds.

With a season best of 13.22 seconds, Parchment will need to step up a gear as Orlando Ortega of Spain, Devon Allen and Aries Merritt of the United States, and World Cup of Athletics winner Pascal Lagarde Martino from France are all capable of producing something special on their day.

Other Jamaicans who will be in action today are the ever-improving Natoya Goule in the women's 800m, Yanique Thompson and Shimarya Williams in the 100m hurdles, and Commonwealth gold medallist Aisha Praught-Leer in the women's 3000m Steeplechase.

HIGHLIGHT OF MEET

The highlight of the meet will be the women's 400m, which will bring together the two top athletes in the event this season in The Bahamas' Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the world leader with 49.52 seconds, and Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain, 49.55 seconds.

The last time both met was at the World Championships last year, where Naser finished second and Miller-Uibo ran fourth and today's clash between the two, who are so far unbeaten this year, should be a thriller.

World Championships gold medallist Phyllis Francis, along with Jessica Beard and World Indoor champion Shakima Wimbley will also be among the entrants here.

Yesterday, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Daniel Thomas Dodd finished eight in the women's shot put event with 17.74m. Lijiao Gong (China) won the event with 20.31m ahead of Raven Saunder (USA), 19.67m and Germany's Christina Schwanitz, 19.51m.