Qatar's Haroun, Samba to miss Diamond League finals

Several stars of the 2018 Diamond League series will be on show tomorrow and Friday in Zurich and Brussels, respectively.

After 12 different stops, 32 champions will be crowned in individual events with the winners set to walk away with Diamond Trophies and cash prizes of US$50,000.

Two pre-race favourites and leaders in their respective events will be missing in Zurich. The Qatari pair of Abdalelah Haroun (400m) and Qatar's Abderrahman Samba (400m hurdles) are representing their country at the Asian Games in Indonesia.

Haroun (35 points) is the number one man in the 400m with a season's best and national record 44.07 seconds.

His countryman, Samba has been very hot all season in the 400m hurdles where he ended with 48 points after picking up six wins. His best win came in Paris where he clocked a world-leading 46.98 seconds.

In the absence of the two, the way could now be open for Caribbean success in both events. Steven Gardiner of The Bahamas is now the fastest man in the field in the 400m, while British Virgin Islands' Kyron McMaster is the leading man in the 400m hurdles.

Gardiner, who was victorious in May at back-to-back meets in Doha and Shanghai where he clocked 43.87 and 43.99 seconds, respectively, has been absent from the track since but returned recently to get the better of American Fred Kerley, who has a season's best 44.33.

In the 400m hurdles, the leading lights are now McMaster, Kersten Worholm of Norway and Yasmani Copello of Turkey. McMaster is the top man in the field with 47.54 seconds and he could go all the way.

The women's 100m should also attract a lot of attention tomorrow. Recently crowned European champion, Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain will face the CÙte d'Ivoire duo of of Murielle AhourÈ and Josee Mari Ta Lou. Smith produced a lifetime best of 10.85 seconds to win the European title in Berlin. However, Ta Lou, who also has a best of 10.85 this season, has dominated the short sprint on the Diamond League circuit.

Four Jamaicans, Janieve Russell (400m hurdles), Natoya Goule (800m), Kimberly Williams (triple jump) and Shanieka Ricketts (triple jump), will be also be hunting trophies in their events.

SCHEDULE FOR JAMAICANS TOMORROW

- 11:25 a.m. - Triple jump women: Kimberly Williams, Shanieka Ricketts

- 1:13 p.m.- Women's 800m: Natoya Goule

- 2:02 p.m. - Women's 400m Hurdles- Janieve Russell