Incredible matchups set to kick-off series in Doha

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Meet organizers for the Doha Diamond League, the first meet of the IAAF Diamond League season, released a few of the marquee athletes set to square off May 5. Even more exciting for fans, there are top rivalries set to be renewed, giving winning athletes early season bragging rights and a head start toward Diamond League titles. 

Thompson vs. Schippers

Finesse versus power. That's the perfect way to describe Elaine Thompson versus Dafne Schippers, in a powerhouse rematch over 200 meters. At the Rio Olympics, Thompson pulled off a historic 100-200 gold medal double, showing the world she's the next super star sprinter. For Schippers, she looks to get back on top in her best event, challenging Thompson and proving she can regain her own gold medal form she had at the 2015 IAAF World Championships. 

Thompson and Schippers have proven to be the top two athletes over the 200 distance the past two years. In 2016, the duo combined to hold the top six times in the world for the season and there is no reason to believe the same won't be true in 2017. Although Thompson dominates the 100, her rivalry with Schippers in the half-lap event will be one to watch all season long.

Merritt vs. James

Until Wayde Van Niekerk came on the scene by winning the world title in 2015, LaShawn Merritt and Kirani James were the kings of the 400-meter distance. While the young South African squarely positioned himself as the current and future leader in the event, with his gold medal and world-record performance in Rio last summer, Merritt and James are still two of the all-time greats in the event. 

With Van Niekerk focusing more on the 200-meter distance in 2017, Merritt and James renew their rivalry in Doha. Remember, of the seven fastest times in the world last year, Merritt and James owned five of them, with their 43.76 (James) and 43.85 (Merritt) silver and bronze medal times in Rio adding to their sub-44 second legacies. 

Merritt and James know each other well, always have close finishes when racing one another and understand the value of going head to head. This should be good.

Katerina Stefanidi vs. Morris

The new guard of pole vaulting has arrived in a big way over the past 18 months, led by Katerina Stefanidi and Sandi Morris. Stefanidi won gold in Rio last summer, adding to her World Indoor bronze she picked up earlier in the year. The former Stanford star continues to improve seemingly every time out, as does the 24-year old Morris. 

In 2016, not only did the two finish 1-2 at the Olympic Games, they also owned six of the seven top heights of the outdoor season. As they continue to raise the bar (literally) in the pole vault, their consistency in competition is what makes their matchup all the more intriguing. 

Best of all, Morris should be looking for a little revenge, as the two finished with the same 15-11 (4.85m) height in Rio last summer, but Stefanidi won on fewer misses.