Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba wins the world indoor title (© Getty Images)
The outstanding favourite for gold will be Genzebe Dibaba, confirmed by her magnificent world record-breaking spree this winter.
In the space of a two-week period in early February, the 23-year-old Ethiopian scorched to 3:55.17 1500m and 8:16.60 3000m world records and a 9:00.48 two mile world best.
Dibaba appears to be a different athlete to the woman who finished eighth in the Moscow 1500m and exited in the heats of the London 2012 Olympic Games through injury.
Kenya’s reigning champion, Hellen Obiri, is the best of the rest having run 8:29.99 this winter. She will be supported by her teammate, Irene Jelagat.
Either Almaz Ayana or Hiwot Ayalew will be the second Ethiopian runner and both are capable of getting among the medals while Bahrain’s two-time world 1500m champion Maryam Jamal warmed up for Sopot by winning the Asian indoor title last month.
Nicola Bamford for the IAAF
