Lavillenie will be joined in Doha by his fellow London 2012 gold medallists Sally Pearson and Sanya Richards-Ross, as well as Christian Taylor. Illustrating the strength of the 100 m hurdles field, Pearson – the fifth-fastest woman in the event’s history – will not be alone among the favourites, with two athletes of the same calibre also competing: Brianna Rollins, holder of the third-fastest time in history with her superb 12.26 sec in the United States in 2013, alongside Dawn Harper-Nelson, defending Diamond Race champion and the fastest hurdler in 2014.
Rollins, who continued to defend her mark last summer at the World Championships, said: “This will be a genuinely tough race – a perfect early-season test as I prepare to defend my world title.” Rollins was not at her best in 2014, reaching a season’s best of 12.53 sec, while Harper-Nelson proved on the same track that she was not only the fastest but also the most consistent at that level.
But Australia’s Pearson, who also won the world title in 2011 and finished runner-up two years later, cannot be underestimated. There is also a heavyweight entry from American Queen Harrison, who achieved her season’s best of 12.43 sec at the 2013 World Championships, and 2014 European champion Tiffany Porter is also taking part.
