Hassan, Stefanidi and Barshim to feature in Florence

Eyeing a fifth successive Diamond League title in 2021, Greek pole vault star Katerina Stefanidi will have her work cut out at the third Wanda Diamond League meeting of the season in Florence, as she faces up against world champion Anzhelika Sidorova. 

Four-time Diamond Trophy winner Stefanidi has been imperious on the Diamond League circuit since 2016, but won bronze behind Sidorova at the World Athletics Championships in Doha in 2019. Their head-to-head in Florence on June 10 will be the second time they clash in the space of just two weeks, with both women also set to jump in Friday’s Doha Diamond League. 

The Pietro Mennea Golden Gala in Florence will also feature a high-class clash in the men’s high jump, as home hero Gianmarco Tamberi goes up against three-time Diamond Trophy winner Mutaz Essa Barshim.

Qatari star Barshim has fond memories of Rome, having broken the meeting record there with a jump of 2.41m on his way to the Diamond Trophy in 2014. 

There will be stardust in the women’s 1500m as well, as Dutch star Sifan Hassan launches her title defence in a stacked field which also includes Gateshead Diamond League winner Laura Muir and Kenyan superstars Beatrice Chepkoech and Faith Kipyegon.

The 2021 Wanda Diamond League comprises 14 meetings and started with Gateshead (which replaced Rabat as the first host city on this year’s circuit) on Sunday 23 May. A single final will be held across two days in Zurich at the end of the season (8/9 September). Each meeting will be broadcast globally in a live two-hour programme.

The 2021 calendar remains subject to change depending on the global health situation in the coming months.