Asafa Powell, Carmelita Jeter, Teddy Tamgho: Hot events to watch at Diamond League Birmingham

By Tamika Forrester,

The 9th leg of the Samsung Diamond League series gets under way this Sunday at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Jamaican and American athletes will use this as a chance to familiarize themselves with the stadium which will be used as a training ground for London 2012 Olympics.

Asafa Powell

Mens 100m: Fresh off his blistering 9.78 run in Lausanne former record holder Asafa Powell will try to better that time in Birmingham this Sunday. He faces a strong field which includes fellow Jamaicans Nesta Carter whose personal best equals Powell's fastest time this year and Michael Frater who clocked a PB of 9.88 behind powell in Lausanne. Also included are four British athletes all hoping to finally dip below 10 seconds. Watch for USA's Michael Rodgers who ran a PB of 9.85 in Eugene earlier this year.

Women's 200m: Carmelita Jeter lines up for her third 200m race of the season. The sprinter who will double-up in Daegu has only recently turned her attention to the longer distance. She will face off against Jamaica's Kerron Stewart, the only one in the bunch with a PB under 22 seconds. Veteran Bahamian sprinter Debbie Ferguson-Mckenzie along with other US sprinters Bianca Knight and Marshevet Hooker Myers should keep things interesting.

Women's 100m Hurdles: Watch for Americans Danielle Carruthers and US National Champion Kellie Wells who will go up against Australia's finest Sally Pearson. Last time the trio met in Lausanne, Pearson got the better of the Americans, winning in a wind-aided 12.47 seconds. No doubt the Carruthers and Wells will be seeking to change that. Let's just hope the officials wait until AFTER a winner is declared before handing out the flowers. The race also has a strong representation from Jamaica and Great Britain.

Phillips Idowu

Men's Triple Jumple: The old hop, skip and jump is turning out to be a top event this year. Birmingham will see another showdown between Britain's reigning world champion Phillips Idowu and emerging French star Teddy Tamgho. Their last encounter in Lausanne ended in the Frenchman's favour. Idowu could not get close enough to Tamgho's huge leap of 17.91m, which happens to be better than Idowu's lifetime best of 17.81m.

Men's Shot put: After missing his flight to the Lausanne Grand prix last time, Canada's Dylan Armstrong will be renew his rivalry with the usual shot put giants from the USA Christian Cantwell, Adam Nelson and Reese Hoffa. Armstrong atop the Diamond League standings holds the best heave this year at 22.21m, also his personal best.