2 June 2016 

Grand slam champion Greg Rutherford (coach: Dan Pfaff) returns to the IAAF Diamond League circuit in Rome alongside a whole host of Britons.

Rutherford won the Diamond Race last year for the first time in his career after four wins during the series and will be looking for a winning start in the Italian capital. The world’s best long jumpers will line-up including world leader Marquise Goodwin (USA).

After a blistering opener at the Doha Diamond League last month, Eilidh Doyle (Malcolm Arnold) will be looking to replicate her winning ways at the Golden Gala. Fellow Scottish athlete Lynsey Sharp (Rana Reider) goes in a stacked 800m field including world leader Caster Semenya, whilst Shelayna Oskan-Clarke (Jon Bigg) goes in an earlier 800m race in the schedule, a non-Diamond League event.

Britain’s leading high jumpers Robbie Grabarz (Fuzz Caan) and Chris Baker (Sharon Heveran) will go head-to-head against the world’s best. Chris O’Hare (Terrance Mahon) makes an appearance in the 1500m whilst Steph Twell (Mick Woods) lines up for the 5000m.

After a superb 13.32 clocking by Andy Pozzi (Arnold) in Loughborough last month, the Bath-based athlete goes in the 110m hurdles in his first DL event since 2014. CJ Ujah (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) and Desiree Henry (Reider) are involved in the 100m races with the latter having Diamond Race points up for grabs whilst James Dasaolu (Steve Fudge) is included in the 100m B race earlier in the programme.

Laura Sugar (Femi Akinsanya) and Maria Lyle (Tabo Huntley) will warm-up for another Italian trip to the IPC Athletics European Championships later this month in the 100m Para event. Sophie Kamlish (Rob Ellchuk) will also be in this race against her compatriots.

More information on the Rome Diamond League can be found here: http://rome.diamondleague.com/en/programme-results/programme-results-rome/

Live coverage of the event can be found on Eurosport 2 this evening at 19:00.