Must-Watch Event

There’s no doubt about it: the men’s 5000m is absolutely stacked. The world record holder. Seven sub-12:50 performers. World and Olympic medalists galore. And a showdown between American studs.

The headline up front will likely be the battle between Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, the reigning world record holder and Olympic champion in the event, and a squadron of Ethiopians including Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see World silver medalist Jacob Krop of Kenya, Spaniard Mohamad Katir, or Canadian Moh Ahmed mix it up in the final laps.

And then there are the Americans. The #1, #2, and #4 fastest of all time in the event are all headed to Florence to throw down against some seriously tough international competition. Among U.S. record holder Grant Fisher, U.S. indoor record holder Woody Kincaid, and 10,000m champ Joe Klecker, Fisher is the most experienced against this caliber of competition. But he’s only raced sparingly this spring, with a disappointing 3000m indoors and two more promising 1500ms, so it’s hard to guess where he’s at, fitness-wise. Kincaid and Klecker are matching up for the third time this year, and Klecker will certainly have a chip on his shoulder after getting beaten by Kincaid in the 5000m indoors and at The TEN outdoors. This is also the first time Kincaid and Fisher have gone head-to-head since Kincaid left Bowerman Track Club, where he and Fisher were teammates and training partners, so rivalry narratives abound.

Must-Watch Athlete

We wrote a full article on Faith Kipyegon’s world record attempt in the 1500m, and she’s surely the athlete to watch on the middle distance card. But you should also keep an eye on the electric Dutchwoman Femke Bol as she toes the line in the 400m hurdles for the second time this season.

Her first attempt at her signature distance at a meet in Germany last weekend yielded a 53.12 world lead in the event, and after her dominant indoor season, expectations are sky-high. The 23-year-old star set indoor world records in the 400m and 500m earlier this year, and unlike her rival Sydney McLaughlin, she’s not afraid to race early and often. She’ll get a good challenge from Americans Anna Hall and Shamier Little, so it won’t be a surprise to see her dip under 53 seconds if conditions are favorable.

Must-Watch Matchup

We’re getting another round of Quanesha Burks vs. Tara Davis-Woodhall!

At the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix, the hotly anticipated matchup between the American rivals lived up to the hype, with both athletes leaping over 7 meters and Davis-Woodhall pulling out the win on her final jump. You can read the CITIUS recap of the competition here. Davis-Woodhall has a 5-3 lifetime advantage over Burks now head to head, so Burks will certainly head to Florence with something to prove. Despite the two jumpers’ strong starts to the season, it’s entirely possible that neither woman actually wins the competition with World and Olympic long jump champion Malaika Mihambo of Germany in the field. What is guaranteed is that the competition will be entertaining as heck.

Must-Watch Championship Preview

The women’s steeplechase has been a rollercoaster in recent years, with reigning world champ Norah Jeruto and former world record holder Ruth Jebet suspended for doping bans, 2021 Olympic champ Peruth Chemutai seemingly unable to recapture the magic of Tokyo, and current world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech coming back from a few off years.

Anything can happen this season and anyone can quickly emerge as a potential Worlds favorite. Chepkoech seems to have returned to decent form this season, with strong showings at the Doha DL and the Kip Keino Classic, but she’s not the dominant force she was in 2019. 2017 World champ Emma Coburn is entered, but she had a rocky start to the season to say the least, falling in Doha and only running 9:29. But she clocked a strong 4:05.35 1500m last weekend in Los Angeles, so clearly the fitness is there. Fellow American Courtney Wayment is entered, but it would be a serious jump for her to win her first Diamond League meet. Two strong contenders to keep an eye on are World bronze medalist Mekides Abede and 4th-placer Winfred Yavi, and how this race plays out could easily preview the dynamics at play in Budapest.