Olympic Medalists Added to First Diamond League Program of the Season

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Organizers of the Doha Diamond League meeting announced another round of super star talent set to compete in the first IAAF Diamond League event of the year on Monday, led by Olympic gold medalists Michelle Carter, Ruth Jebet and Caster Semenya. 

Carter, who upset Valerie Adams to win the shot put in Rio, gets her outdoor season underway May 5 in Doha, as she looks to have a big start to her season and earn big early season points in the Diamond League standings. She'll face fierce comeptition from Rio bronze medalist Anita Marton.

The women's steeplechase is even more exciting on paper, as all three Rio medalists are entered, meaning Jebet will square off against Hyvin Kiyeng and American Emma Coburn. Jebet was the class of the event for much of the 2016 season and looks to continue her succes in Doha. For Coburn, Doha will be her first major international competition without the guidance of coach Mark Wetmore, who she left during the off season, currently being coached by fiance' Joe Bosshard. 

In the women's 800, Doha organizers announced the addition of Semenya, along with fellow silver and bronze medalists Francine Niyonsaba and Margaret Wambui, meaning fast times are all but guaranteed for this race.

More names will certainly be announced in the coming weeks, but the Doha Diamond League meet is shaping up to be a grand kickoff to the season.