The second diamond league event of 2016 is Saturday in Shanghai, China and the US has a large number of athletes in the field. 29 US athletes are in the field for the events including several of last year’s top finishers. Justin Gatlin and Michael Rodgers finished first and third in last year’s 100m overall standings and both are here competing in Shanghai. The same is true of David Oliver and Jason Richardson who were first and fourth in the 110m hurdles. Sam Kendricks was tied for third in the pole vault last year and opens his 2016 campaign here. Jeff Henderson was the third of three US men in the top six of the long jump last season but is the only one competing Saturday. Joe Kovacs is the defending shot put champion with Ryan Whiting in the field after a sixth place overall finish last year.

Candyce McGrone was fourth last year in the 200m (thanks to a win in Monaco) and is competing this weekend. Also fourth last year and beginning this weekend are Natasha Hastings in the 400m and Jenny Simpson in the 1500m. The defending long jump champion, Tianna Bartoletta, is also in the field.

Previous Diamond League Coverage:
Doha Recap