After a break that followed the Commonwealth Games, the Diamond League track and field series resumed today with a unique men’s pole vault event in Lausanne, Switzerland. Renowned Swedish athlete Armand Duplantis, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion, clinched victory with a meet-record vault of 6.21 meters. Despite attempting to break his own world record at 6.32m, he fell short in front of an enthusiastic audience.
Today marked the start of the final phase of the global track and field season, leading up to the Diamond League Final and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
Here’s an overview of the upcoming events:
The Diamond League’s return was highlighted by a star-studded 100m event, with only three regular-season meets left before the champions are crowned in Brussels on September 4 and 5. The pole vault event today set the stage for the main event in Lausanne on Friday, featuring a thrilling men’s 800m race among the top medallists from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The action shifts to Poland’s Silesian Stadium on Saturday, hosting a variety of competitions, including the women’s shot put. Notable athletes such as Canada’s Sarah Mitton and reigning world champion Jessica Schilder will showcase their skills in the field events.
On Sunday, the excitement continues with standout athletes like Canada’s Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers in the hammer throw, along with a highly anticipated men’s 100m race featuring top sprinters from around the world.
For a detailed schedule of the events, viewers can tune in to live coverage on CBC Gem or catch a replay on CBC TV.
The Diamond League Final in Brussels will determine the winners of the season-long points chase, where athletes compete for the coveted Diamond Trophy and substantial cash prizes. The top performers in each event will advance to the Final, with the event organizers having the flexibility to include wild card entries for prominent athletes.
Following the Diamond League Final, the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship will take place in Budapest, offering a staggering $10 million in prize money. This exclusive event aims to showcase the world’s best athletes and will be held every two years, featuring top contenders from various track and field disciplines.
The Ultimate Championship will bring together reigning Olympic and world champions, along with qualifiers from the Diamond League Final, making it a highly anticipated event on the global track and field calendar. Automatic invitations and a qualifying system will determine the final lineup of athletes competing for top honors.
Stay updated with the latest developments in the track and field season by following the events leading up to the Ultimate Championship.