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The stage is set at the Stadion Letzigrund to decide the first set of 16 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Diamond League champions, as the season draws to a close on the lucrative track and field series, starting with the first of two finals that take off in Switzerland on Thursday night.
A lot went into the preparations at the 25 000-seater in the big city of Switzerland on Tuesday and it is now left for South Africa to make its mark in a battle for Diamond trophies that carry a whopping $50 000 for each winner.
It is the first time that South Africa enjoys such a big representation in a Diamond League final since the format of the 14-series meet assumed a championship style-model last year.
Long jumper Ruswahl Samaai has already placed his bet on compatriot and middle-distance ace Caster Semenya, making successful defence of her 800m title.
The recently crowned African champion also gave himself and fellow jumper Luvo Manyonga a shot at gold.
Samaai was among an array of stars, alongside Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia, who were nominated to conduct coaching clinics at the competition venue on Tuesday.
“Caster is definitely a win. Luvo and I are also going to battle it out for good [in the long-jump final],” Samaai told City Press during an interview that was often interrupted as he had to do demonstrations on the sandpit for multitudes of children, coupled with the signing of autographs.
“To be among the best in the world and competing at a Diamond final is an amazing experience for South African athletes.
“These are the kind of events for one to gain more international experience to take to the World Champs and the Olympics in future,” added the 2017 IAAF World Championships bronze medallist.
The 26-year-old and Manyonga will face the usual suspects in a nine-man long-jump line-up that includes Olympic champion Jeff Henderson and Marquis Dendy of the US.
“I always knew the field would be like this. It’s always like a world championship or an Olympic final.
“But we all know why we are here and what we want to achieve. It’s going to be something good,” promised the athlete from Paarl in the Western Cape.
The long jump final will resume at 8.45pm.
Meanwhile, Semenya, who will be bidding for her third Diamond title over her specialist event, will race at 8.13pm.
The second set of the Diamond grand final will see South African 100m record holder Akani Simbine and 400m hurdler Wenda Nel contest their specialist events in Brussels, Belgium on Friday.
Also at stake in the Brussels final are 16 Diamond trophies and $50 000 for the ultimate champions.
Other South Africans in action in Zurich on Thursday:
400m: Pieter Conradie (8.04pm)
100m: Carina Horn (8.40pm)
200m: Luxolo Adams (9.11pm).
400m hurdles: Cornel Fredericks
• Mothowagae is in Zurich courtesy of the IAAF. Follow himon Twitter for daily tweets on the Zurich Diamond League and grab your copy of City Press' print edition on Sunday for some exclusive coverage of the athletics.
