BRUSSELS, June 15 (Xinhua) -- After only six meetings, and just halfway through the season, many big sporting names have already registered a place for the IAAF Diamond League grand final at the AG Memorial Van Damme in Brussels on August 31 2018, according to news released Friday in Brussels.
In the high jump, Mutaz Barshim once again produced a series of stellar performances, and with three wins in the Diamond League already, the Qatari has successfully qualified for the finals with half a season to spare.
Four finalists are already known in the men's discus throw: Andrius Gudzius, Ehsan Hadadi, Fedrick Dacres and Daniel Stahl.
In the women's 100m hurdles, Brianna McNeal already has her ticket to Brussels. Two athletes are also assured of their place in the women's 3000m steeple final, namely Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng and American Emma Coburn.
The AG Memorial Van Damme will exceptionally host two discus throw contests this year, since the ladies will also be present. Croatian Sandra Perkovic has dominated the women's record for several years now and seems unstoppable this season. She is currently the only one to be already qualified.
Since 2009, the Memorial has been part of the IAAF Diamond League, a series of athletic events that take place each year across 14 cities around the world. On August 31 2018, the AG Memorial Van Damme will take place at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The name for the Memorial was given in reference and honor to Belgian athlete Ivo Van Damme, who tragically died in 1976. Earlier that year, he won silver at the Olympic Games in Montreal, in both the 800m and 1500m sections.
Since last year, athletes have been competing hard to qualify for the finals in Zurich and Brussels at the 12 meetings (of which six are still scheduled to take place) of the IAAF Diamond League.
