Toronto's Justyn Knight wants strong finish in Diamond League debut

World championship-bound Justyn Knight will set out to accomplish his next goal of setting a personal-best time in the 5,000 metres, starting Thursday when the 22-year-old makes his Diamond League debut at the Golden Gala in Rome (CBCSports.ca, 2 p.m. ET).

Former NCAA star expects 'challenging' 5,000m in Rome after qualifying for worlds

Former NCAA star Justyn Knight of Toronto will make his Diamond League debut at Thursday's 39th edition of the Golden Gala in Rome. The 22-year-old now runs for Reebok Boston Track Club. (Submitted by Geoff Robins/Reebok)

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Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, women's 1,500 (3:15 p.m.): . In January, DeBues-Stafford set national indoor marks in the 5,000 and mile. She is making her season debut in the outdoor 1,500 racing against new training partner, Laura Muir of Great Britain.

WATCH | Gabriela DeBues-Stafford set her 3rd Canadian record of 2019:

The 25-year-old native of Surrey, B.C., has four podium finishes in four meets to begin the outdoor season. Lovett jumped a winning 2.30 metres at Mt. SAC Relays in April to match his personal best from the 2018 Commonwealth Games and qualify for this year's Pan Am Games and track and field world championships.

Brandon McBride, men's 800 (2:23 p.m.): McBride opened his outdoor season a week ago at the Music City Distance Carnival in Nashville, where he posted a winning time of 1:45.04. The 24-year-old failed to qualify for the Diamond League final last August, a disappointing end to a 2018 campaign that saw McBride

Watson, 24, makes her Diamond League season debut in Rome after opening her individual outdoor campaign on Monday with a 55.76-second clocking in the Czech Republic, 1.2 seconds off her 2018 season-best of 54.55. She was hobbled by a sprained right foot in 2018, forcing the native of Medicine Hat, Alta., to miss the Canadian and NACAC championships.

Diamond League on CBC Sports

CBC Sports is providing live streaming coverage of all 14 Diamond League meets this season at CBCSports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. TV coverage will be featured as part of the network's Road To The Olympic Games weekend broadcasts throughout the season.

The following is a list of upcoming Diamond League meets, all times ET:

  • Rome (Thursday, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Oslo (June 13, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Rabat (June 16, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Eugene (June 30, 4–6 p.m.)
  • Lausanne (July 5, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Monaco (July 12, 2–4 p.m.)
  • London, England (July 20 and 21, 9–11 a.m.)
  • Birmingham, England (Aug. 18, 9–11 a.m.)
  • Paris (Aug. 24, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Zurich (Aug. 29, 2–4 p.m.)
  • Brussels (Sept. 7, 2–4 p.m.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Doug Harrison has covered the professional and amateur scene as a senior writer for CBC Sports since 2003. Previously, the Burlington, Ont., native covered the NHL and other leagues for Faceoff.com. Follow the award-winning journalist @harrisoncbc