Field events grab pre-event headlines for the fourth IAAF Diamond League meet of the season

By Scott Bush, DyeStat Editor

Start lists are out for Thursday's Rome Golden Gala meeting, the fourth stop on this year's IAAF Diamond League circuit.

The annual Italian showcase once again pits the world's top track and field stars against one another, and while the track events are exceptional, the field events are the event's which truly shine - at least before competition begins. 

Here's a quick breakdown of what to watch:

Men's Javelin

The top four finishers at the Rio Olympics are all entered, all of who happen to rank in the top 16 all-time in the event.

Reigning Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany enters as the easy favorite, having become the second-best performer in history earlier this season with an eye-opening 308 feet, 1 inch (93.90m). That performance, along with his dominance in Rio, give him plenty of confidence heading into Thursday's contest. 

Rohler's chief competition comes from the trio of Julius Yego, Keshorn Walcott and fellow German Johannes Vetter.

Yego, the Olympic silver medalist, ranks fourth in the event all-time with a personal best of 304-2 (92.72m) in 2015. Walcott is the reigning bronze medalist, while Vetter is a young and talented rising star and nearly upset Rohler in Doha until his countryman unleashed his 93.90 gem.

Women's Pole Vault

Few events have better head-to-head matchups than the pole vault. Both the men's and women's event are strong up top and deep with talent, making nearly every elite showcase worth watching from start to finish. Rome's women's pole vault match-up is a prime example, pitting Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi against Olympic runner-up Sandi Morris.

The two vaulters are having fine seasons, with Stefanidi winning the first battle of the season by taking the title at the Doha Diamond League meeting, while Morris finished second. Since then, Morris has vaulted to the world-leading mark of 15-10.50 (4.84m), while Stefanidi ranks world #4 on the season with her 15-9 (4.80m).

Adding even more intrigue, Eliza McCartney, 20, finished third to the leading duo in both Rio last summer and again in Doha. The New Zealand vaulter ranks #3 in the world at the moment with a 15-9.75 (4.82m) best and seems poised to upset her two more experienced rivals at some point this season.

Add in 2015 world champion Yarisley Silva of Cuba and this field may be the best collection of talent we see prior to the IAAF World Championships in London later this summer. 

Women's Triple Jump

Speaking of great matchups, fans cannot miss the Yulimar Rojas vs. Caterine Ibarguen battle in the women's triple jump.

At the Rio Olympics, Ibarguen marked her place in history by winning gold, while Rojas finished an impressive second. Ibarguen has been the face of the women's triple jump for years, but Rojas is the young up-and-comer who seems ready to assume the lead in this new quadrenium. 

Rojas currently owns the top two jumps on the season, with a world-leading best of 49-1 (14.96m) earned last weekend. Ibarguen is far from done though, currently ranking fourth in the world with a seasonal best of 47-4.25 (14.43m). Add in Rio bronze medalist in Olga Rypakova, and this event should be entertaining through all six rounds of action. 

Women's 5,000 meters

It's a clash of the titans in the women's 5,000.

While Olympic 10,000 champion Almaz Ayana withdrew from competition citing injury, fans will enjoy a battle between Olympic 5,000 silver medalist Hellen Obiri and Olympic 1,500 silver medalist Genzebe Dibaba.

Dibaba, who went after her sister's 5,000 world record of 14:11.15 at the Prefontaine Classic, ran 14:25.22 in Eugene and felt she could run much faster had the pacing been better.

However, Dibaba's mark doesn't rank her tops in the world this season, as Obiri went 14:22.47 in Shanghai last month, winning the Diamond League contest by nine seconds. Best of all, Obiri vs. Dibaba brings forth another Kenya vs. Ethiopia matchup, a rivalry that always creates quite the buzz at events in Europe. 

Other Events to Watch

The women's 100, while missing Olympic champion Elaine Thompson and Tori Bowie, should create plenty of theatrics.

Dafne Schippers, who currently ranks third in the world this season, leads the charge, but she'll find plenty of competition among the ranks of 100m athletes.

Tianna Bartoletta, who recently placed second in the women's long jump at the Prefontaine Classic, actually owns a faster 100 personal best than Schippers, 10.78-10.81. Add in Michelle-Lee Ahye, Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Gina Luckenkemper and there's a strong likelyhood fans will see at least a couple athletes dip under the 11-second barrier. 

A young American to keep an eye on in Thursday's action is 800 standout Donovan Brazier.

Brazier, who currently ranks third best in the world this season with a 1:44.63 seasonal best, is set to compete in his first Diamond League competition overseas. While he enters with the top mark on the season in the field, he faces an incredibly experienced field with such notable stars as Poland's Adam Kszcot and Marcin Lewandowski, Kenya's Nicholas Kipkoech, Alfred Kipketer and Kipyegon Bett, who ranks right behind Brazier in the world rankings with a 1:44.70 effort.