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Oddi's Odds

Photo of Vicky OddiEach week, expect to see predictions and athlete highlights posted here from Vicky Oddi, current USATF Communications Coordinator, Temple University Master's Graduate, and former Coastal Carolina University pole vaulter.

During her four-year tenure with USATF, Oddi has gained unique track & field insight by traveling the globe with Team USA and covering USA Championships, IAAF World Championships, and Olympic Games. Be sure to catch her helpful tidbits and athlete picks in the NEW Pick-N-Win feature, Oddi's Odds.

Nike Prefontaine Classic
 
Men’s 200m
 
American 100m record holder and 2009 World Outdoor Championships silver medalist Tyson Gay leads the field in the men’s 200m that includes 2004 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Crawford, 2008 Olympic double bronze medalist Walter Dix, the Netherland Antilles’ Churandy Martina and 2008 Olympic 100m silver medalist Richard Thompson (TRI). Oddi’s Odds pick: Tyson Gay
 
Men’s 1000m
 
Abubaker Kaki’s (Sudan) goal on Saturday is to break the world best in the men’s 1,000m…can anybody stop him? Oddi’s Odds pick: Abubaker Kaki
 
Nike Bowerman mile
 
One of the most revered events at the Nike Prefontaine Classic, the Nike Bowerman mile, is stacked with athletes such as 2007 World Outdoor champion Bernard Lagat, 2008 Olympic 1,500m silver medalist Asbel Kiprop of Kenya and 2009 World Championships 1,500m gold medalist and 800m bronze medalist Yusuf Kamel of Bahrain. Oddi’s Odds pick: Bernard Lagat
 
Nike Men’s 5000m
 
The American record holder over 10,000m, Chris Solinsky will take on current world leader Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya and 2009 World Outdoor Champs 10,000m fourth-place finisher Imane Merga of Ethiopia, as well as former American record holder Matt Tegenkamp. Oddi’s Odds pick: Chris Solinsky
 
Men’s 110m Hurdles
 
Reigning World Outdoor champion Ryan Braithwaite (BAR) will take on the David’s (Oliver and Payne) at Hayward Field this weekend in the men’s 110m hurdles. Oliver headlines the event as the fastest man in the world so far this year after running 12.93 to win the 110’s at last week’s USA Outdoor Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: David Oliver
 
Men’s Long Jump
 
Dwight Phillips vs. Irving Saladino. Phillips is the 2004 Olympic champion and a three-time World Outdoor champion, while Saladino won gold at the ’08 Olympics and ’07 World Champs. Oddi’s Odds pick: Dwight Phillips
 
Visa Men’s Shot Put
 
Reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champion Christian Cantwell leads the field in the Visa Men's Shot Put, which features seven of the top ten ranked throwers in the world from last season. Domestic challengers include 2007 World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa, two-time Olympic Games silver medalist and 2005 World Outdoor champion Adam Nelson and 2009 USA Indoor champion Dan Taylor. Also keep an eye on 2008 NCAA Outdoor champion Cory Martin, who owns the second best throw in the world this year (22.10m/72-6.25) and two-time NCAA Outdoor champion Ryan Whiting, who owns the third and fourth best throws globally this season. 2008 Olympic champion Tomasz Majewski of Poland is also in the field and could make things difficult for the Americans. Oddi’s Odds pick: Christian Cantwell
 
Men’s Discus Throw
 
2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2007 World champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia will lead the men's discus throwers that include two-time Olympic gold medalist Virgilijus Alekna from Lithuania. Oddi’s Odds pick: Gerd Kanter
 
Visa Women’s 100m
 
Two-time World Outdoor Championships bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, who owns the fourth-fastest time ever at 10.64 (2009), will face reigning Olympic and World Outdoor champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (JAM) and two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown in the Visa women’s 100m. Also entered is La’Shauntea Moore, the newest member of the sub-11 club. Oddi’s Odds pick: Carmelita Jeter
 
Nike Women’s 400m
 
Three-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix will take on a stacked field in the women’s 400m as she faces reigning World Indoor champion Debbie Dunn, Jamaica’s Shericka Williams, ranked #2 in the world last year, world #3 Novlene Williams-Mills, world #5 Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia and #7 Amantle Montsho of Botswana, who finished 2nd to Felix in Doha and then won the Oslo Diamond League race. Oddi’s Odds pick: Allyson Felix
 
Women’s 800m
 
In the women’s 800m, Anna Pierce, who ended the 2009 season ranked #2 in the world by Track & Field News (T&FN) and won the 1,500m last weekend at the 2010 USA Outdoor Championships will be challenged by Beijing Olympic gold medalist Pamela Jelimo of Kenya and her countrywoman Janeth Jepkosgei, who won the silver medal in Beijing and gold at the 2007 World Outdoor Championships. Also keep an eye on 2009 Pre Classic champion Maggie Vessey, who began the 2010 campaign ranked #6 in the world by T&FN and 2010 World Indoor bronze medalist Alysia Johnson. Oddi’s Odds pick: Pamela Jelimo
 
Women’s 5000m
 
World record holder Tirunesh Dibaba is running the women’s 5,000m, racing to beat the meet record of 14:38.73. When she’s in the field and healthy, she is virtually unbeatable . . . and she is healthy now. Oddi’s Odds pick: Tirunesh Dibaba
 
Women’s Steeplechase
 
Reigning world champion Marta Dominguez of Spain, 2009 World Champs runner-up Yuliya Zarudneve of Russia and Berlin third-place finisher Milcah Chemos of Kenya are all entered in the women’s steeplechase. Lisa Aguilera, who has been ranked in the top five in the U.S. in seven of the last eight years, won her second career U.S. women's steeplechase title and hopes to challenge for the win. Oddi’s Odds pick: Milcah Chemos
 
Women’s 400m Hurdles
 
Current world leader (52.82) Lashinda Demus, the 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist, will face competition from 2008 Olympic silver medalist Sheena Tosta in the women’s 400m hurdles. Also watch for Kaliese Spencer (JAM), currently the second-fastest woman in the world (53.48). Oddi’s Odds pick: Lashinda Demus
 
Women’s Pole Vault
 
2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Suhr is flying high after winning last week’s USA Outdoor Championships with a world-leading 4.89m/16-0.5, but she will face stiff competition from 2009 World Outdoor champion Anna Rogowska (POL), World Outdoor silver medalist Monika Pyrek (POL) and 2010 World Indoor champion Fabiana Murer (BRA). Oddi’s Odds pick: Jenn Suhr
 
Women’s Triple Jump
 
Reigning World Indoor champion Olga Rypakova (Kazakhstan), 2010 USA Outdoor champion Erica McLain and 2009 USA Outdoor champion Shakeema Welsch are entered in the women’s triple jump. Oddi’s Odds pick: Olga Rypakova
 
Women’s Hammer Throw
 
2009 World Outdoor Championships finalist, 2010 USA champion and this year's USATF Women's Indoor Visa Championship Series winner Amber Campbell will face world record holder Anita Wlodarczyk of Poland in the hammer throw. Former world record holder Tatyana Lysenko of Russia is in the field in addition to Betty Heidler of Germany, who was the silver medalist at the 2009 World Championships and is a two-time winner at The Nike Prefontaine Classic. Oddi’s Odds pick: Anita Wlodarczyk
 
Women’s Javelin
 
Newly-minted American record holder Kara Patterson will take on world record holder Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic and Russia's Mariya Abakumova, who won the bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: Barbora Spotakova
 

USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Whew. This is a long one.  With 20 events each, 40 total, I didn’t think I’d ever get through it all. But here we are: my picks for the 2010 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Visa Men’s 100m
 
Walter Dix and Ivory Williams. Both have run sub-10 so far this season. Williams went 9.95 in April and Dix ran 9.98 in May.  Dix has two Olympic bronze medals to his name from the 2008 Olympics while Williams’ last medal, gold, came at the 2004 World Junior Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: Walter Dix
 
Nike Men’s 200m
 
Dix doubles back to compete in the men’s 200m where he will take on three-time World Outdoor medalist Wallace Spearmon.  Oddi’s Odds pick: Wallace Spearmon
 
Visa Men’s 400m
 
Three-time World Outdoor and two-time Olympic medalist Jeremy Wariner and world indoor record holder Kerron Clement will be challenged by relative newcomers Calvin Smith and Tavaris Tate. Smith owns the fourth-fastest time in the world so far this year and Tate, just a freshman at Mississippi State, was a member of the gold-medal winning men’s 4x400m at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: Jeremy Wariner
 
Men’s 800m
 
Two-time USA Outdoor champion Nick Symmonds and four-time USA Outdoor champion Khadevis Robinson are the top entrants in the men’s 800m. Symmonds is coming off his 1:45.05 runner-up finish at the adidas Grand Prix, while Robinson finished fourth in 1:45.77. Oddi’s Odds pick: Nick Symmonds
 
Visa Men’s 1,500m
 
Three-time runner-up at USA Outdoors, Leo Manzano is out to win his first national title. But he will have to go through reigning USA Outdoor champion Lopez Lomong. Just last week the two raced at the adidas Grand Prix and it was Manzano who came out on top of that battle, running 3:32.92 to Lomong’s 3:35.77. Can he do it again? Oddi’s Odds pick: Leo Manzano
 
Nike Men’s 5,000m
 
Just two words: Bernard Lagat. The newly-minted American record holder over 5,000m, when on his game, there is no one who can touch him. In a field of 18, the closest seed-time to Lagat is almost 30 seconds back. Oddi’s Odds pick: Bernard Lagat
 
Nike Men’s 10,000m
 
Galen Rupp won the men’s 10,000m in 2009 and is looking to repeat in 2010. With his closest competitor seeded almost 50 seconds behind him, expect a tactical race by Rupp. Oddi’s Odds pick: Galen Rupp
 
Nike Men’s 110mH
 
David vs. David. 2008 Olympic silver and two-time World Outdoor bronze medalist David Payne and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver lead the way in the men’s 110m hurdles. Oliver currently owns the world-leasing time of 12.99, the only man to run sub-13 so far this year. Oddi’s Odds pick: David Oliver
 
Hershey Men’s 400mH
 
Young vs. old. 2008 Olympic bronze and two-time World Outdoor medalist Bershawn Jackson will be challenged by 2010 NCAA champion Johnny Dutch and 2008 World Junior champion Jeshua Anderson in the men’s 400m hurdles. Oddi’s Odds pick: Bershawn Jackson
 
Men’s 3,000m steeplechase
 
Last year’s runner-up Dan Huling has the fastest seed in the field by over eight seconds. He also has run the fastest time by an American so far this season, just ahead of Steve Slattery. Oddi’s Odds pick: Dan Huling
 
Men’s 20 km RW
 
Tim Seaman has won five U.S. 20 km RW titles. With 42 total national race walk titles, only one man has ever won more. Oddi’s Odds pick: Tim Seaman
 
Men’s high jump
 
Jesse Williams, Andra Manson, Dusty Jonas. They have been the top three men’s high jumper for the past few years, each making the 2008 Olympic, 2009 World Outdoor and 2010 World Indoor teams. Manson and Jonas have each picked up a bronze medal at a World Indoor Championships, Manson in 2008 and Jonas in 2010, and Jonas currently has the best clearance in the world at 2.33m. Oddi’s Odds pick: Dusty Jonas
 
Gill Men’s pole vault
 
A three-time USA Outdoor champion, four-time World medalist and the American record holder, Brad Walker’s main competition in the men’s pole vault will come in the form of Derek Miles, the fourth-place finisher at the 2008 Olympic Games. Miles finished last year ranked #5 in the world and has a season-best clearance of 5.80m. Walker has yet to compete this season, his last competition coming when he won the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: Derek Miles
 
Men’s long jump
 
Dwight Phillips. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist, a three-time World Outdoor champion, the 2003 World Indoor champion, the 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist and a four-time USA Outdoor champion. Need I say more? Oddi’s Odds pick: Dwight Phillips
 
Men’s triple jump
 
Florida’s Christian Taylor, fresh off his win at the NCAA Championships, has the best qualifying mark in the men’s triple jump. 2009 USA Indoor and Outdoor champion Brandon Roulhac, two-time Olympian Kenta Bell and 2007 USA Outdoor runner-up Lawrence Willis are also entered and looking for the win. Watch for a battle between Taylor and Roulhac. Oddi’s Odds pick: Christian Taylor
 
Visa Men’s shot put
 
In one of the deepest fields in memory, reigning World Outdoor and three-time World Indoor champion Christian Cantwell leads the field in the men’s shot put. Not far behind him is current world-leader Cory Martin, NCAA champion Ryan Whiting, 2007 World Outdoor champion Reese Hoffa and 2009 USA Indoor champion Dan Taylor. And no field is ever complete without two-time Olympic silver and four-time World Outdoor medalist Adam Nelson. Oddi’s Odds pick: Christian Cantwell
 
Men’s discus throw
 
Jason Young has the farthest qualifying mark at 69.90m in the men’s discus and will be joined in the field by two-time Olympians Casey Malone and Ian Waltz. Also entered is Jarred Rome, who has been ranked in the top five in the U.S. for eight of the past nine years. Oddi’s Odds pick: Ian Waltz
 
Men’s hammer throw
 
A.G. Kruger is the man to beat in the men’s hammer throw. Winning the event for the past four years, Kruger enters this year’s competition with the top qualifying mark by over one meter. Oddi’s Odds pick: A.G. Kruger
 
Men’s javelin
 
2008 Olympian Mike Hazle may have the farthest qualifying mark, but he hasn’t competed since last year due to shoulder surgery in November. Reigning USA Outdoor champion and two-time NCAA champion Chris Hill and Sean Furey will be the main competition. Oddi’s Odds pick: Chris Hill
 
Men’s decathlon
 
2003 World Outdoor champion and three-time Olympian Tom Pappas and two-time NCAA champion Jake Arnold are the only men entered in the decathlon who have broken 8,000 points. So who wins, experience or youth? Oddi’s Odds pick: Tom Pappas
 
Nike Women’s 100m
 
The newest member of the sub-11 club, LaShaunte’a Moore is the fastest seed in the women’s 100m. Three-time World Outdoor 200m champion Allyson Felix and 2009 NCAA champion Alex Anderson will be her main competition. With wins in Brazil (10.97) and Rome (11.04), can Moore continue on her winning ways? Oddi’s Odds pick: LaShanute’a Moore
 
Visa Women’s 200m
 
Moore doubles back to run the women’s 200m where she will be challenged by NCAA champion Porscha Lucas and 2009 Team USA member Charonda Williams. Oddi’s Odds pick: Porscha Lucas
 
Nike Women’s 400m
 
Sanya Richards-Ross, the reigning World Outdoor champion, will run her first 400m of the season after suffering an injury during relay practice in April. 2010 World Indoor champion Debbie Dunn, American indoor record holder Francena McCorory and Monica Hargrove will not make it easy for Richards-Ross to win her sixth national title. Oddi’s Odds pick: Sanya Richards-Ross
 
Nike Women’s 800m
 
Three-time Olympian and reigning USA Outdoor champion Hazel Clark will be vying for her sixth national title in the women’s 800m. 2010 World Indoor bronze medalist Alysia Johnson, 2009 Nike Pre Classic champion Maggie Vessey and 1,500m specialist Christin Wurth Thomas are also entered in the two-lap race and will be out to make sure that that doesn’t happen. Oddi’s Odds pick: Hazel Clark
 
Nike Women’s 1,500m
 
2009 World Outdoor bronze medalist Shannon Rowbury , Christin Wurth Thomas and Anna Pierce are three of the top six women in the world in the 1,500m. Rowbury ended 2009 ranked #3 in the world, while Wurth Thomas was #5 and Pierce #6. Pierce has the fastest seed time (3:59.38), but Rowbury has the fastest time this season (4:04.00). Oddi’s Odds pick: Shannon Rowbury
 
Women’s 5,000m
 
2008 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan, the American record holder over 5,000m, will race Jenny Barringer, the American record holder in the steeplechase. Shannon Rowbury has also declared in the 5,000m. Will she double? Oddi’s Odds pick: Jenny Barringer
 
Women’s 10,000m
 
Reigning USA Outdoor champion and 2008 Olympian Amy Begley will take on Lisa Koll in the women’s 10,000m. Koll recently completed the 5,000m/10,000m double at the NCAA Championships Des Moines, running the fastest time by an American so far this year in winning the 10,000m. Oddi’s Odds pick: Lisa Koll
 
Visa Women’s 100mH
 
Two-time World Indoor champion and current world leader Lolo Jones, 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Damu Cherry and 2010 USA Indoor champion Ginnie Crawford will battle for top honors in the women’s 100m hurdles. Jones, who already owns three national indoor titles, will be racing for her second national outdoor title. Oddi’s Odds pick: Lolo Jones
 
Women’s 400mH
 
2008 Olympic silver medalist Sheena Tosta will be challenged by 2008 Olympian and 2007 NCAA champion Nicole Leach in the women’s 400m hurdles. 2010 NCAA runner-up Ti’erra Brown, currently the third-fastest American so far this year, is also entered. Oddi’s Odds pick: Sheena Tosta
 
Women’s 3,000m steeplechase
 
2006 USA Outdoor champion Lisa (Aguilera) Galaviz is back and ready to take on 2010 NCAA champion Bridget Franek in the women’s steeplechase. Franek ran the fastest time by an American so far this season (9:38.86) when she won NCAAs. Galaviz’s top seed time of 9:33.11 came last September in Greece. Oddi’s Odds pick: Bridget Franek
 
Women’s 20 km RW
 
This one breaks the tie. Teresa Vaill and Joanne Dow each have four USA Outdoor titles to their names. Who will win a fifth? Oddi’s Odds pick: Teresa Vaill
 
St. Vincent Sports Performance Women’s high jump
 
Chaunte Lowe. Is there anyone out there right now who can touch her? I think not. Oddi’s Odds pick: Chaunte Lowe
 
Gill Women’s pole vault
 
Silver vs. silver in the women’s pole vault as 2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Suhr goes up against 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Chelsea Johnson. And don’t forget 2010 USA Indoor champion Lacy Janson. Oddi’s Odds pick: Jenn Suhr
 
Women’s long jump
 
Brittney Reese is the reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champion in the women’s long jump. But is she healthy? This will be Reese’s second competition of the outdoor season. That one competition, though, gave her the third-farthest mark in the world so far this year.  Funmi Jimoh and Brianna Glenn are the main competitors. Jimoh was a finalist at the 2008 Olympic Games, while Glenn is fresh off a win at the adidas Grand Prix. Oddi’s Odds pick: Brittney Reese
 
Women’s triple jump
 
Reigning USA Indoor and Outdoor champion Shakeema Welsch will face 2008 Olympian Erica McLain, ranked in the top three in the U.S. for four of the past five years, in the women’s triple jump. Oddi’s Odds pick: Erica McLain
 
Women’s shot put
 
A six-time USA Indoor champion, Jillian Camarena-Williams threw just shy of the 19 meter mark when she finished third at the adidas Grand Prix. Camarena’s main competition will come in the form of Michelle Carter, a two-time USA Outdoor champion who finished sixth at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships. Oddi’s Odds pick: Michelle Carter
 
St. Vincent Sports Performance Women’s discus throw
 
Four-time USA Outdoor champion Aretha Hill Thurmond, 2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton and 2005 USA Outdoor champion Becky Breisch will battle for top honors in the women's discus. Breisch has thrown the farthest this season, but right on her heels, Thurmond and Trafton will give her a run for her money. Oddi’s Odds pick: Aretha Hill Thurmond
 
Women’s hammer throw
 
A good head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, 2008 Olympian Amber Campbell and Britney Henry will throw the weight around in the women's hammer throw. As a veteran of strong competition and high pressure, Campbell will look to claim the victory; but not a stranger to far distances, Henry may sneak up to take the title. Oddi’s Odds pick: Amber Campbell
 
Women’s javelin
 
Rachel Yurkovich last year was the first woman to qualify for the finals in the women’s javelin since 1983. Kara Patterson has won back-to-back national titles and is looking for a three-peat. Oddi’s Odds pick: Kara Patterson
 
24 Hour Fitness Women’s heptathlon
 
Oddi’s Odds pick: Hyleas Fountain

adidas Grand Prix

After more than a month with no Visa Championship meet, we’re back in full force with the adidas Grand Prix. The second stop on USATF’s Visa Championship Series, the adidas Grand Prix, is also the fifth stop on the IAAF’s Diamond League tour. With one of the deepest fields ever compiled in NYC, let’s get straight to the picks.

adidas men’s 800m

Two-time USA Outdoor champion Nick Symmonds and four-time USA Outdoor champion Khadevis Robinson will take on 2008 Olympic bronze and two-time World Outdoor medalist Alfred Yego (KEN) in the men’s 800m. Also watch for 2008 Olympic 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop (KEN). Oddi’s Odds pick: Alfred Yego

adidas men’s 400m hurdles

Two-time World Outdoor champion Kerron Clement and 2005 World Outdoor champion Bershawn Jackson are entered in the men’s 400m hurdles. With one victory apiece so far in the Diamond League, Clement in Oslo and Jackson in Doha, it’s anyone’s race. 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Javier Culson (PUR) and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Felix Sanchez (DOM) are also entered. Oddi’s Odds pick: Kerron Clement

Visa men’s 1,500m

Straight off his American record in the men‘s 5,000m, Bernard Lagat leads the field in the Visa men’s 1,500m. 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Deresse Mekonnen (ETH), 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist Shedrack Korir and 2008 Olympians Leo Manzano and Lopez Lomong will all try to take Lagat down. Oddi’s Odds pick: Bernard Lagat

Men’s 3,000m steeplechase

The fastest man in the men’s steeplechase field is Paul Kipsiele Koech (KEN); he’s run 8:06.69 so far this year. Just behind him is Patrick Langat (KEN), the pace-setter who changed his mind and finished the race in Doha, winding up third in 8:09.21. Oddi’s Odds pick: Paul Koech

Men’s high jump

2008 Olympians Andra Manson, Dusty Jonas and Jesse Williams, along with 2007 World Outdoor champion Donald Thomas (BAH) top the field in the men’s high jump. Manson and Jonas each earned a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships, Manson’s came in 2008 and Jonas’ this year in Doha, Qatar. Tied for the current world lead (2.33m), I expect Jonas will be the man to beat. Oddi’s Odd pick: Dusty Jonas

Men’s triple jump

World Indoor record holder Teddy Tamgho (FRA) is the new man, and favorite, on the scene in the men’s triple jump. Reigning World Outdoor champion Philips Idowu (GBR) and 2004 Olympic champion Christian Olsson (SWE), back after a three-year layoff due to injury, will try to unseat Tamgho. Also entered are two-time Olympian Kenta Bell and reigning USA Indoor and Outdoor champion Brandon Roulhac. Oddi’s Odds pick: Teddy Tamgho

Men’s pole vault

Reigning Olympic and World Outdoor champion and Diamond League Ambassador Steve Hooker (AUS) and 2009 World Outdoor bronze medalist Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) will compete in the men’s pole vault. Last week in Oslo, Lavillenie won with a clearance of 5.80m while Hooker failed to clear his opening height. 2004 Olympic gold medalist Tim Mack and 2008 Olympic Games fourth-place finisher Derek Miles will also compete. Oddi’s Odds pick: Steve Hooker

Men’s javelin

Two-time Olymic champion and three-time World Outdoor medalist Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) and 2007 World Outdoor champion Tero Pitkamaki (FIN) are the men to beat in the men’s javelin. Top American challengers include Corey White, Sean Furey, and Chris Hill. Oddi’s Odds pick: Andreas Thorkildsen

Western Union men’s 100m

In the notable absence of the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt (JAM), Ivory Williams has the fastest time in the field so far this season with 9.95. Last year’s champion and 2009 USA Outdoor champion Mike Rodgers and 2007 Pan Am Games champion Churandy Martina (AHO) are also entered. Sweeping the men’s 100m in last year’s Visa Championship Series, Rodgers is my favorite to win this weekend. Oddi’s Odds pick: Mike Rodgers

USATF women’s 800m

Two-time NCAA Outdoor champion Geena Gall and 2010 World Indoor Team USA member Sarah Bowman are the top entrants in the women’s 800m. Oddi’s Odds pick: Sarah Bowman

Women’s 1,500m

Five of the top seven women in the world are entered in the women’s 1,500m. 2009 World Outdoor bronze medalist Shannon Rowbury (#3), two-time World Indoor medalist Gelete Burka (ETH - #4), Christin Wurth-Thomas (#5), Anna Willard (#6), and Nancy Lagat (#7) will square off this weekend. Taking on the top women in the 1,500m world will be two-time Olympic and three-time World Outdoor 5,000m medalist Meseret Defar, American steeplechase record holder Jenny Barringer and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan. Oddi’s Odds pick: Shannon Rowbury

NYRR women’s 5,000m

This is the Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) show. The “baby faced destroyer” is the world record holder over 5,000m and the reigning Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m gold medalist. If she’s on, no one can touch her. This will be her first 5,000m race in 2010. Oddi’s Odds pick: hands down it’s got to be Tirunesh Dibaba

Women’s 100m hurdles

Two-time World Indoor champion Lolo Jones has the fastest time in the women’s 100m hurdles so far this year. But the hurdles are a fickle race and anything can happen. There to challenge Jones is 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep (CAN), three-time World Outdoor medalist Delloreen Ennis-London (JAM), 2008 Olympic silver medalist Sally Pearson (AUS) and two-time USA Outdoor champion Ginnie Crawford. Oddi’s Odds pick: Lolo Jones

Women’s long jump

2008 Olympian Funmi Jimoh, 2009 World Outdoor finalist Olga Kucherenko (RUS) and Brianna Glenn are the top entrants in the women’s long jump. With a personal best of 7.13m set earlier this season, Kucherenko is the favorite to win. Oddi’s Odds pick: Olga Kucherenko

Women’s pole vault

It’s silver vs. silver as 2008 Olympic silver medalist Jenn Suhr challenges 2009 World Outdoor silver medalist Chelsea Johnson in the women’s pole vault. This will be Suhr’s first competition since the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships. 2010 USA Indoor champion Lacy Janson along with newly-minted Israeli athlete Jillian Schwartz will also be vying for the top clearance on Saturday. Oddi’s Odd pick: Jenn Suhr

Women’s shot put

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Valerie Vili (NZL) and silver medalist Natalia Mikhnevich (BLR) are the top entrants in the women’s shot put. Challenging them will be three-time USA Outdoor champion Kristin Heaston, six-time USA Indoor champion Jillian Camarena-Williams and two-time USA Outdoor champion Michelle Carter. Oddi’s Odds pick: Valerie Vili

Women’s discus throw

2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton, four-time USA Outdoor champion Aretha Hill Thurmond, and 2005 USA Outdoor champion Becky Breisch will battle for top honors in the women’s discus. Also watch for 2009 European Athletics Junior champion Sandra Perkovic (CRO).  Oddi’s Odds pick: Becky Breisch

Visa women’s 200m

It’s Felix vs. Campbell-Brown.  A three-time World Outdoor champion, there’s only one thing Felix craves and Campbell-Brown has two of them, Olympic gold medals. Felix has won three consecutive world titles (’05, ’07, ’09), while Campbell-Brown won Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008. Felix took silver in both those finals. This is Felix’s first 200m of the year, while Campbell-Brown is the current world leader with 22.32. Oddi’s Odds pick: Allyson Felix

JetBlue women’s 400m

Fresh off her win in Oslo, Amantle Montsho (BOT) is looking for her second Diamond League win in the women’s 400m. There to keep this from happening is 2004 Olympic 4x400m gold medalist Dee Dee Trotter and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Shericka Williams (JAM). Oddi’s Odds pick: Amantle Montsho

adidas women’s three event challenge

Reigning World Indoor and Outdoor champion Jessica Ennis (GBR) and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Hyleas Fountain will go head-to-head in a three event challenge. Events included in the challenge are the shot put, long jump and 100m hurdles. Oddi’s Odds pick: Jessica Ennis