Shelby Houlihan in action at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 (© Getty Images)
USA's Shelby Houlihan has made a major breakthrough this year and will arrive in Ostrava as the fastest woman in the 1500m field.
The 25-year-old clocked a lifetime best of 3:57.34 in Lausanne and was unbeaten outdoors this year until the IAAF Diamond League final in Brussels, where she finished second.
Kenyan and African champion Winnie Chebet, a 4:00.60 runner this year, will be attempting to earn strong points for the African team.
She will be joined on the start line by Rababe Arafi, the African Championships runner-up, who became the Moroccan record-holder this year with 3:59.15 in Lausanne.
Australia's Linden Hall leads the Asia-Pacific team, having set an Oceanian record of 4:00.86 in Eugene this year.
European silver medallist Sofia Ennaoui of Poland will be the top challenger for her continental team. Somewhat slower than the top three women with a best this year of 4:02.06, she can nonetheless be a contender with her trademark sprint finish.
Pawel Jackowski for the IAAF
