A face-off between 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot (Kenya) and Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) in the men’s 1500m is one of the expected highlights of the Athletissima: The 49th edition of the Lausanne – Wanda Diamond League meeting on 22 August.
This will be the fourth time the Norwegian, who won in Monaco last Friday with a new European record (3:26.73), has competed at La Pontaise (with two victories and one second place to date).
Ingebrigtsen and Cheruiyot – his runner-up in Monaco – as well as fast rising European stars, Spaniard Mario Garcia and Frenchman Azeddine Habz, will add to the middle-distance battle on the night.
American Grant Holloway has been almost unbeatable in the hurdles this season.
Holloway achieved his 15th consecutive victory in 2024 in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.01 secs despite a headwind in Monaco last Friday.
The three-time American world champion of the 110m hurdles will be challenged at La Pontaise by his biggest rivals, namely the world No. 2 and 3 Hansle Parchment (Jamaica) and Daniel Roberts (USA).
Tough competition is also expected from European champion, Italian Lorenzo Simonelli (Italy) and American Freddie Crittenden, who finished second at the US Olympic trials right behind Holloway. And of course, let’s not forget the Swiss record holder and European bronze medallist Jason Joseph.
The Athletissima, now a fixture of Lausanne’s summer season, was first held on 8 July 1977 at the Pierre-de-Coubertin Stadium, spearheaded by former 800 m runner Jacky Delapierre.
Over the years, it has become a renowned international meeting, attracting the biggest stars in athletics to the Olympic capital.
Now based at the La Pontaise Olympic Stadium, Athletissima has been part of the Wanda Diamond League circuit since 2010, establishing itself as one of the world’s most prestigious athletics meetings.
Meet The Authors
Yomog Meje is a former Nigerian junior athlete and the Associate editor at Athletics Africa.
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