The 11th edition of Athletissima in Lausanne on August 22 will feature a number of duels at the summit or “three-way battles” between the crowned heads of the sport, all of which will guarantee suspense and great performances. Here’s an overview of the evening’s main issues and clashes.
WOMEN
100 m: The race promises to be tight between European stars Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), Mujinga Kambundji (SUI), Daryll Neita (GBR), 4th at the Paris Olympics and 2nd with the British relay, and Tamari Davis, 4×100 m world champion with the USA. Not forgetting, of course, Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (CIV), a star of world sprinting for many years.
800 m: Reigning world champion Mary Moraa (KEN) will be up against three of the fastest women of the year: Jemma Reekie (GBR), Natoya Goule-Toppin (JAM) and Georgia Bell (GBR), who have all run under 1’57” this season. A great opportunity to go fast in this race for the Swiss Audrey Werro, Rachel Pellaud and Lore Hoffmann.
3000 m: Australia’s Georgia Griffith, who is on the rise, will try to challenge Ethiopian specialists Ejgayehu Taye, Freweini Hailu and Aynadis Mebratu for victory. And watch out for Spain’s Marta Garcia.
100 m hurdles: A highlight for sure. 2021 Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (PUR) faces a Jamaican challenge from world champion Danielle Williams and Ackera Nugent, the fastest in this year’s field. Alaysha Johnson (USA), Olympic runner-up Cyréna Samba-Mayela (FRA) and European runner-up Ditaji Kambundji (SUI) will also be keeping a close watch.
400 m hurdles: world champion and European record-holder Femke Bol (NED) starts with a lead, but will be wary of specialists Rushell Clayton (JAM), Shamier Little (USA) and Jasmine Jones (USA). Femke Bol always runs fast in Switzerland!
Height: An impressive line-up. Olympic champion and world record-holder (2m10) Yaroslava Mahuchikh (UKR) will take on Australian stars Eleanor Patterson, 2022 world champion, and Nicola Olyslagers, silver medallist in Paris, as well as Iryna Gerashchenko (UKR), 3rd in Paris. For a competition around 2m05? Hopeful Marithé Engondo (SUI) will also be taking part.
Women’s shot put: reigning Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye (GER) will face her Paris runner-up Madison-Lee Wesche (NZL) and the formidable North Americans Chase Jackson (USA) and Sarah Mitton (CAN). The 4 kg cannonball could well exceed 20 meters.
MEN
200 m: Reigning Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo (BOT) had better have recovered well from his Paris triumph and the festivities that followed. Erriyon Knighton (USA), runner-up in the world, Fred Kerley (USA), 2022 world champion in the 100 m, as well as Alexander Ogondo (DOM) and Jereem Richards (TTO) are all capable of threatening him. The Swiss challenge will be represented by Timothé Mumenthaler and William Reais, reigning European champion and European bronze medallist respectively.
400 m: European record-holder and Olympic runner-up Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) will meet Paris bronze medallist Muzala Samukonga (ZAM), as well as Olympic 4×400 m relay champions Vernon Norwood (USA) and Bryce Deadmon (USA). Victory will probably come down to the 44” mark.
800 m: At the start, five of the top six finishers from the Paris Olympics: Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN), his runner-up Marco Arop (CAN), as well as Bryce Hoppel (USA), Mohamed Attaoui (ESP) and Gabriel Tual (FRA). The discipline is currently booming.
1500 m: Olympic champion in the 5000 m, Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) will attempt to show that he can once again become the boss in the 1500 m, after failing to finish on the podium in Paris. Opposite him, nothing less than Olympic sensation Cole Hocker (USA). Narve Nordas (NOR), Timothy and Reynold Cheruiyot (KEN) and Hobbs Kessler (USA) are also in contention.
110 m hurdles: Another highlight in Lausanne. Reigning Olympic champion Grant Holloway (USA) will be pitted against 2021 Olympic champion Hansle Parchment (JAM), with three other men who have also raced under 13″: Rasheed Broadbell (JAM), Freddie Crittenden (USA) and Daniel Roberts (USA).
Long jump: Olympic, World and European champion Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) starts as favorite. But Wayne Pinnock (JAM), Mattia Furlani (ITA) and Simon Ehammer (SUI), 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively in Paris, will be out for revenge.
Javelin: 2021 Olympic champion and 2024 Olympic vice-champion Neeraj Chopra (IND) will be up against Paris bronze medallist Anderson Peters (GRN), as well as Europe’s finest in the discipline, led by Julian Weber (GER) and Jakub Vadlejch (CZE).