Barshim excited for Diamond League return
Home favourite Mutaz Barshim won everything there was to win last year, including a world championship title.
So naturally he is looking to break every meeting record he can this season, starting with Doha.
"I’m super excited that the Diamond League is back"@mutazbarshim is looking to every meeting record this season.#DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal pic.twitter.com/6QLOEs9KD6
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Stefanidi relishing battle with Morris
Katerina Stefanidi pipped Sandi Morris to gold at last year’s IAAF World Championships, but the American beat Stefanidi to the world indoor title earlier this year.
The Greek athlete loves having a rival to push her to greater heights and anticipates stern competition in Doha.
"I love having someone pushing me to go higher"@KatStefanidi is looking forward to renewing her rivalry with @sandicheekspv at the #DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal pic.twitter.com/p8SuB1QZbh
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Taylor relives Doha defeat
It was perhaps one of the greatest competitions in Doha Diamond League history.
The battle between Christian Taylor v Pedro Pablo Pichardo at the Doha Diamond League in 2015 saw both men go over 18 metres, with Pichardo winning by just two centimetres.
As the two prepare to face off again on Friday, Christian Taylor relives a seminal moment in his career.
"I was the biggest loser of one of the greatest competitions in triple jump."@Taylored2jump relives his battle with Pedro Pablo Pichardo from 2015 as the two meet again at the #DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/8r6xUvqwxC
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Röhler to show everyone ‘who is the real boss’
Thomas Rohler threw a national record & Diamond League record when he took victory in Doha last season. The German javelin throw says competition in his event is ‘crazy’ feels he still has more to give.
.@thomasroehler believes he can throw even further than 93.90m this season, and is looking forward to showing his competition "Who’s the real boss."#DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/DJwCJDxixv
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Taylor looking to dazzle Doha crowd
Christian Taylor has a knack for snatching victory from the jaw of defeat. It turns out it is no accident, with American determined to put on a spectacle for fans, saying ‘the last jump is my jump’. He wants to entertain an adoring Doha crowd once more on Friday.
"I got goosebumps competing here. I love Doha"@Taylored2jump is looking to put on a show for fans at the #DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/TuJNmrQPRj
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Röhler: Vetter and I will break the world record
Thomas Röhler and Johannes Vetter have dominated men’s javelin at an international level over the past few years, and seem to be throwing further and further every season.
Röhler feels ‘it is only a matter of time’ before either he or his compatriot breaks the world record.
"We’re going to break the world record"@thomasroehler is backing himself or @jojo_javelin to break the Javelin world record.#DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/mfi8KanZEd
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Obiri glad to be back in Doha
With Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Jenny Simpson asking the questions, the showdown between Hellen Obiri and Simpson in the 3000m was always going to come up.
The Kenyan says she’ll try her best to beat her friend in Doha.
Worried about racing @trackjenny at the #DohaDL?
"I’m just going to run my race" says @hellen_obiri#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/rELJJV3tUd
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Barshim sets the bar high
Another man gunning for a world record is Mutaz Barshim. The high jumper says it is a huge motivation for him, and he will only be truly satisfied once he breaks it.
"I think about the world record all the time"@mutazbarshim feels it only a matter of time before he breaks the high jump world record.#DohaDL#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/y4vXeidC3I
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Simpson keen to test herself in 3000m
While the women’s 1500m competition is happening, Jenny Simpson will be watching from the sidelines. The world 1500m silver medallist has instead opted to compete in the 3000m, and feels it is a great time to test herself over the increased distance.
“I like to dabble”@trackjenny feels the #DohaDL is a good opportunity to test herself over 3000m.#RoadToTheFinal#DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/TRpaT4IyoG
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 3, 2018
Watch the full press conference