Zurich Diamond League 2013: When and Where to Watch Weekend's Biggest Events

In the first of two IAAF Diamond League finals this year, Zurich is set to host the initial batch of global track's biggest stars this weekend when no less than 16 Diamond Race champions will be decided.

Throughout the season, athletes from every corner of the world have competed to establish their names in what is seen as the ultimate test of consistency among any of their chosen fields.

With some lesser-known faces rising to the occasion and others failing to live up to their profiles, a majority of this year’s Diamond League silverware will be dished out this weekend.

Following is a look at which events have the most riding on the line and when to watch the action unfold in Switzerland’s Letzigrund Stadium.

All events take place on Friday with listed times according to the IAAF’s provisional timetable.

Women’s 800-Metres Final

When: 9:10 p.m. BST/4:10 p.m. ET

Watch: BBC Three (UK), Universal Sports (US)

Stream: BBC Sport website

Up until Zurich, Francine Niyonsaba was flying an extremely strong flag for Burundi in the women’s 800 metres. Unfortunately, due to IAAF regulations, she cannot win this year’s Diamond Race after picking up an injury and not being able to compete in Switzerland.

As a result of points being worth double in the final of any event, that leaves the field almost completely open to whoever should go on to claim victory on Friday.

The strongest candidates to win will be the United States’ Brenda Martinez, who currently has six points, and a handful of athletes with four points, including Russia’s Yekaterina Poistogova, Morocco’s Malika Akkaoui and the Kenyan pair of Eunice Jepkoech and Janeth Jepkosgei.

Even with a second-place finish, Martinez can still claim Diamond Race glory due to her earlier displays in the term.

Men’s 400-Metres

When: 9:20 p.m. BST/4:20 p.m. ET

Watch: BBC Three (UK), Universal Sports (US)

Stream: BBC Sport website

Having dominated the field for the vast majority of the Diamond League season so far, Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt are the only two 400-metres competitors still left with a chance of winning the Diamond Race.

James claimed Olympic gold in this event, and what better way for the Grenadian to celebrate his 21st birthday on Sunday than by further cementing his place as one of track’s biggest talents.

The youngster currently leads his American counterpart in the Diamond League standings by just two points (14 altogether), but will need to shrug off any complacency in order to win his Diamond Race.

Men’s 100-Metres

When: 9:28 p.m. BST/4:28 p.m. ET

Watch: BBC Three (UK), Universal Sports (US)

Stream: BBC Sport website

Although a number of athletes are still in the running to watch Zurich’s most attractive event, only three sprinters truly have a chance at Diamond Race glory save for a major upset.

Justin Gatlin leads the pack at 12 points, followed closely by U.S. teammate Tyson Gay with eight points. Jamaica’s Nesta Carter is some way behind with just five points.  

A first- or second-place showing will tie up the 2013 Diamond Race title for Gatlin, as Carter would need both of the aforementioned Americans to drop out of the top three finishers entirely if he’s to even stand a chance of pulling off such an unlikely feat himself.