{"id":49437,"date":"2026-08-20T09:14:44","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T07:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/a-galaxy-of-stars-ready-to-shine-as-records-come-under-threat\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T19:08:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T17:08:03","slug":"a-galaxy-of-stars-ready-to-shine-as-records-come-under-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/a-galaxy-of-stars-ready-to-shine-as-records-come-under-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"A Galaxy of Stars Ready to Shine as Records Come Under Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 51st edition of Athletissima is set to get underway in front of a packed Pontaise Stadium, with all 13,000 seats expected to be filled. The meeting features no fewer than nine Olympic champions, eleven world champions and fourteen European champions. As the race for qualification to the Diamond League Final in Brussels reaches its climax, many athletes will be chasing not only victory but also stadium records, world-leading marks\u2014and perhaps even a world record. Here’s what to watch.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Javelin (6:50 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

With the exception of China\u2019s Zizi Yan<\/strong>, the season\u2019s top throwers are all in Lausanne. The field is remarkably close on paper. Croatia\u2019s Sara Kolak<\/strong> arrives full of confidence after her surprise European title in Birmingham, ten years after her Olympic triumph. However, Colombia\u2019s Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado<\/strong>, who has already thrown 67.34m<\/strong> this season, starts as the favourite. Serbia\u2019s Adriana Vilagos<\/strong> (63.83m) and reigning Olympic champion Haruka Kitaguchi<\/strong> (Japan) will also be strong contenders. Swiss fans will be watching Leonie H\u00fcgli<\/strong>, just 20 years old, making her Diamond League debut.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Triple Jump (7:10 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the highlights of the evening. Italy\u2019s Andy Diaz Hernandez<\/strong> stunned the athletics world by soaring to 18.15min<\/strong> Birmingham, finishing just 14 centimetres<\/strong> short of Jonathan Edwards\u2019 legendary world record while looking as though he still had more to give. He faces compatriot Andrea Dallavalle<\/strong>, bronze medallist in Birmingham, current Diamond League leaders Jordan Scott<\/strong> (Jamaica) and Yasser Triki<\/strong> (Algeria), as well as experienced Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo<\/strong> (Portugal).<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 400m Hurdles (8:04 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The breakout star of the season, Slovakia\u2019s Emma Zapletalova<\/strong>, starts as the athlete to beat. Can she challenge Femke Bol\u2019s<\/strong> stadium record of 52.25<\/strong>, now that the Dutch star has moved up to the 800m? American Anna Cockrell<\/strong>, also under 53 seconds this season, and Jamaica\u2019s Rushell Clayton<\/strong> are expected to provide the stiffest competition.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Pole Vault (8:05 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Apart from injured athletes, the very best are all here. Three-time world champion Katie Moon<\/strong> (USA), Olympic champion Nina Kennedy<\/strong> (Australia) and two-time European champion Angelica Moser<\/strong> (Switzerland) are expected to battle for victory, alongside Sandi Morris<\/strong> (USA), who leads the world this season with 4.90m<\/strong>. The Lausanne crowd will hope to lift Moser towards her Swiss record of 4.88m<\/strong>, should conditions allow.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 200m (8:15 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Can Birmingham\u2019s four-time European champion Amy Hunt<\/strong> continue her remarkable run against the American and Jamaican sprint stars? Jamaica\u2019s Shericka Jackson<\/strong>, the second-fastest woman in history over 200m (21.41), has returned to top form this season with 21.87<\/strong>, while American Kayla White<\/strong> (21.92 in 2026) leads the U.S. challenge. Swiss hopes rest with national champion Fabienne Hoenke<\/strong> and local athlete L\u00e9onie Pointet<\/strong>, both recent European silver medallists with Switzerland\u2019s 4x100m relay.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Javelin (8:22 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Former cricketer Rumesh Pathirage<\/strong> has been one of the revelations of the season and tops the world rankings with 92.62m<\/strong>. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra<\/strong> (India) will be determined to defeat his South Asian rival in Lausanne, while former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott<\/strong> (Trinidad & Tobago) and two-time world champion Anderson Peters<\/strong> (Grenada) complete a world-class field.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 3000m Steeplechase (8:24 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Bahrain\u2019s Winfred Yavi<\/strong> will attack the 2026 world-leading mark of 8:51.06<\/strong>, currently held by Uganda\u2019s Peruth Chemutai<\/strong>. In a field of 17 athletes, she will face strong opposition, particularly from Tunisia\u2019s Marwa Bouzayani<\/strong>, instantly recognisable by the headscarf and tights she always races in. Kenya\u2019s Faith Cherotich<\/strong> will also be among the favourites. A time under 8:50<\/strong> is well within reach.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 800m (8:40 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Expect fireworks. Much like in 2024, when Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi<\/strong> (Kenya) came within just two-tenths of a second<\/strong> of David Rudisha\u2019s world record, clocking 1:41.11<\/strong>. Canada\u2019s Marco Arop<\/strong>, who pushed him all the way that day, will be seeking revenge. Algeria\u2019s world silver medallist Djamel Sedjati<\/strong> and American Brandon Miller<\/strong>, aiming for Bryce Hoppel\u2019s U.S. record of 1:41.67<\/strong>, add further excitement.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Long Jump (8:48 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

After finishing runner-up last year in torrential conditions, Switzerland\u2019s Simon Ehammer<\/strong> hopes to go one better. Standing in his way are defending Lausanne champion Tajay Gayle<\/strong> (Jamaica) and reigning Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou<\/strong> (Greece), the only athlete already qualified for the Diamond League Final. Gerson Bald\u00e9<\/strong>(Portugal), Wayne Pinnock<\/strong> (Jamaica) and Bozhidar Saraboyukov<\/strong> (Bulgaria) strengthen an outstanding field.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 100m Hurdles (8:50 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

American Masai Russell<\/strong> came within 0.02 seconds<\/strong> of Tobi Amusan\u2019s world record earlier this season, running 12.14<\/strong>. She arrives in Lausanne for what promises to be an explosive race against compatriot Alaysha Johnson<\/strong> and world champion Ditaji Kambundji<\/strong>. The Swiss star is returning to full fitness after a recent thigh strain, while European contenders such as Nadine Visser<\/strong> (Netherlands) will also be in the mix.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 5000m (9:00 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Another race packed with quality, making predictions almost impossible. Bahrain\u2019s Birhanu Balew<\/strong> is one of the leading contenders to attack the world-leading mark of 12:47.62<\/strong>. He is one of four athletes in the field who have broken 12:50<\/strong> this season, alongside Americans Grant Fisher<\/strong>, Graham Blanks<\/strong> and Parker Wolfe<\/strong>. Swiss favourite Dominic Lobalu<\/strong>, winner in Monaco, will enjoy tremendous home support. Will it become a tactical championship-style race or an all-out assault on the clock? No athlete has yet secured qualification for the Diamond League Final in this event.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s 800m (9:32 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The marquee event of the evening.<\/strong> Switzerland\u2019s new athletics superstar Audrey Werro<\/strong>, whom many experts believe is capable of breaking Jarmila Kratochv\u00edlov\u00e1\u2019s<\/strong> legendary world record of 1:53.28<\/strong>, returns to face Femke Bol<\/strong>(Netherlands) and world champion Lilian Odira<\/strong> (Kenya). The 22-year-old Werro is unbeaten this season and enjoying extraordinary form. She has selected Dutch pacemaker Myrte van der Schoot<\/strong>, one of the very best in the business, to guide the early pace. Fellow Swiss athletes Valentina Rosamilia<\/strong> and Veronica Vancardo<\/strong> complete the field.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 200m (9:41 p.m.)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

South Africa\u2019s Sinesipho Dambile<\/strong>, the world leader this season, will look to continue his winning streak against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo<\/strong> (Botswana) and Zimbabwe\u2019s Makanakaishe Charamba<\/strong>. Can Courtney Lindsey<\/strong>(USA), Zharnel Hughes<\/strong> (Great Britain) or Switzerland\u2019s Timoth\u00e9 Mumenthaler<\/strong> challenge the African stars?<\/p>\n

Additional Events<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Men\u2019s 400m Hurdles (7:50 p.m.), Men\u2019s 110m Hurdles (9:23 p.m.) and Women\u2019s 4x100m Relay (9:52 p.m.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although not part of the Diamond League programme, these events promise outstanding entertainment. Three-time Olympic champion Rai Benjamin<\/strong> (USA) will make his only 400m hurdles appearance of the season after focusing primarily on the flat 400m. His return over hurdles could produce something special. In the 110m hurdles, newly crowned world record holder Ja’Kobe Tharp<\/strong> (12.75) makes one of his rare European appearances, with European champion Jason Joseph<\/strong> (Switzerland) eager to challenge him on home soil. To close the evening, Switzerland\u2019s women’s 4x100m relay team\u2014fresh from winning silver at the European Championships in Birmingham\u2014will look to ignite the home crowd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 51st edition of Athletissima is set to get underway in front of a packed Pontaise Stadium, with all 13,000 seats expected to be filled. The meeting features no fewer than nine Olympic champions, eleven world champions and fourteen European champions. As the race for qualification to the Diamond League Final in Brussels reaches its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":49436,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classifiee"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49437"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49446,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49437\/revisions\/49446"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/athletissima.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}