E-Paper
Russia’s Rio ban: Who are likely to benefit
One’s misery is another’s opportunity. Giving a few examples of how the ban on the Russian track and field squad over the nation’s alleged state-sponsored doping will brighten the hopes of others.
NEW DELHI
Some of the Rio Olympics athletics events where the ban on Russian athletes is likely to ease the competition on their rivals.
MEN’S HIGH JUMP
Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim, the leading high jumper of the 2015 season who has scaled 2.41m, would face little competition in the absence of Russia’s defending Olympic champion Ivan Ukhov. China’s Zhang Guowei is another jumper who is likely to gain advantage. He was ranked second in 2015 with a jump of 2.38m.
WOMEN’S HIGH JUMP
With Russia’s Anna Chicherova and Mariya Kuchina out of the race, US jumper Chaunte Lowe and Croatia’s Blanka Vlasic will benefit the most. Spain’s Ruth Beitia and Germany’s Marie Laurence Jungfieisch would also be in the race for medal
WALKERS
20KM
Chinese and Japanese race walkers will benefit the most. Wang Zhwen of China and Japan’s Eki Takahashi were among the five leading athletes to have clocked below 1:19 for the 20km in the 2015 season.
50km
Australia’s Jared Tallent , Frenchman Yohann Diniz and Slovakia’s Matej Toth are expected to benefit the most with the Russians absent.
MEN’S 110m HURDLES
Spain’s Orlando Ortege was leading the field in the 2015 season, after clocking 12.94 secs, while Russia’s Sergey Shubenkov, the reigning world champion, had clocked 12.98 secs. Jamaica’s Omar McLeod also clocked 12.97 secs. US’ Devon Allen was the fastest this season with a time of 13.03 secs
WOMEN’S POLE VAULT
With Russia’s double Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva not in the fray, two US pole vaulters, Jenn Suhr and Sandl Morris, are expected to gain the most. This seasoned duo is leading with Shur having crossed the 5m mark and Morris having scaled 4.95m.
