They were among the stars of the European Athletics Championships in Zurich - in different events. But tonight in Stockholm, Sifan Hassan, of the Netherlands, will face Swedish pair Meraf Bahta and Abeba Aregawi in what has the makings of a 1500m to remember.
The trio come together in the IAAF Diamond League, with Aregawi leading the Diamond Race by three points, and it could be the race of a night that is dominated by medal winners from last week's championships.
Aregawi has the chance of instant revenge on Hassan who underlined her own superb season by taking gold in a brilliant 1500m in Zurich, moving clear in the final stages to triumph by 0.50 seconds in 4:04.18 over the World outdoor and indoor champion.
But her bid for a double gold was thwarted in a magnificent duel with Bahta, who had too much for her in the final strides as she won the 5000m in 15:31.39 from Hassan in 15:31.79.
Who will triumph in the Olympic Stadium this evening in a race that also includes Zurich bronze medallist Laura Weightman? It is just like the European Athletics Championships - impossible to call but one that is likely to be decided in the last 200m.
Aregawi has been so successful over the past 18 months - she is also the European Athletics Indoor champion - by having real strength in the final lap but Hassan dealt with that in Zurich and then had the extra speed to take the title.
Speaking at a press conference in Stockholm this week, Bahta said: “I was happy to win the gold medal and I look forward to competing with these girls. I want to run both the 1500m and 5000m next year, it’s a good combination for me. I also want to run under or close to four minutes.”
Aregawi said: “I am not running well these days so I hope to do better here. I am happy it’s going good for them (her rivals) – I had a good time and now they’re coming up, I was a role model.”
Hassan and Bahta are among 10 of the gold medallists from the European Athletics Championships who will be competing in Stockholm.
The others are Poland’s Adam Kszczot in the 800m, French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie, Germany’s shot putter David Storl, Finnish javelin thrower Antti Ruuskanen, British sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Spanish high jumper Ruth Beitia, French long jumper Eloyse Lesueur and discus thrower Sandra Perkovic, from Croatia.