The anticipation is building as the Wanda Diamond League makes its way to Africa on Sunday, October 31, bringing together many of athletics' most renowned competitors for the Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athletisme de Rabat. Following successful events in Shanghai and Xiamen, Rabat will host the third meeting of this season, and fans can expect a thrilling slate of rematches between world and Olympic champions that promises to deliver unforgettable moments on track and field.
Among the most eagerly awaited events is the men’s 3000m steeplechase, where Morocco's own Soufiane El Bakkali, a double Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion, will bask in the fervent support of his home crowd. He faces off against New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish, the unexpected victor of the world championship in Tokyo, where he triumphed over El Bakkali for the gold medal. The inclusion of Kenya’s Edmund Serem completes a reunion of the World Championships podium in Rabat, while Germany’s Diamond League champion Frederik Ruppert adds further depth to an already competitive field.
In the women’s pole vault, fans can witness a remarkable collection of talent as the winners of every global title since 2020 are set to compete. Three-time world champion Katie Moon from the USA, world silver medallist Sandi Morris, and world bronze medallist Tina Sutej from Slovenia will all take to the runway, effectively recreating the podium of the anticipated 2025 World Championships. They will be challenged by Olympic champion Nina Kennedy from Australia, who is making her first appearance in the Diamond League since September 2024, as well as Britain’s two-time world indoor champion Molly Caudery and France’s Marie-Julie Bonnin, the 2025 world indoor champion.
The men’s javelin promises yet another global podium rematch, featuring Sri Lanka’s Ramesh Tharanga Pathirage, the world leader, going head-to-head with last year’s World Championship medallists: Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago, Anderson Peters from Grenada, and Curtis Thompson from the USA. Additionally, the field includes Germany’s 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, and Kenya’s 2015 world champion Julius Yego, all notable for their impressive 90-meter throwing capabilities.
Moreover, the men’s 400m will witness the return of Olympic champion Quincy Hall of the USA, who is set for his first race in nearly a year. He will compete against Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith and Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, the other two medallists from the Olympic final. The event will also feature performers who have clocked sub-44-second times, including Khaleb McRae from the USA, Zakithi Nene from South Africa, and Jacory Patterson from the USA.
In the men’s 200m, fans can expect a showdown between the two most recent Olympic champions, with Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo challenging Canada’s Andre de Grasse, the record holder for the Rabat meeting. The race also includes two medallists from last year’s World Championships: Kenny Bednarek from the USA and Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, alongside South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, a world finalist who recently clocked an impressive 19.77 in Nairobi.
Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, fresh off victories in both Shanghai and Xiamen, aims to maintain her winning streak in the women’s 200m, where she will face off against Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who finished as runner-up in both previous races. The lineup also features USA’s Cambrea Sturgis, who arrives with a personal best of 21.93 from a recent competition in Nairobi.
In the women’s 100m, the competition will include Jamaica’s world silver medallist Tina Clayton alongside Italy’s world indoor champion Zaynab Dosso, both poised to deliver a thrilling race. Meanwhile, Kenya’s world and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi will kick off his Diamond League campaign in the men’s 800m, facing off against USA’s 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier, Britain’s Max Burgin, and Ireland’s Mark English, who recently claimed victory in the Diamond League 800m event in Shanghai. Wanyonyi’s compatriot, Lilian Odira, who surprised many with her 800m victory at last year’s World Championships, will also compete in a high-quality field that includes Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma and several other notable athletes.
In the men’s 1500m, Portugal’s world champion Isaac Nader will lead the pack, contending with Kenya’s world bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot, Ethiopia’s steeplechase world record-holder Lamecha Girma, and other prominent competitors. USA’s Ryan Crouser, the world and Olympic champion, will seek redemption in the men’s shot put after finishing third in Xiamen, with strong competitors like Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell, who recently set a national record, and Italy’s world leader Leonardo Fabbri in the mix.
The women’s high jump will be headlined by Ukraine’s world record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh, competing against Australia’s 2022 world champion Eleanor Patterson and other top athletes. Additionally, the women’s discus event will feature a clash of champions, as USA’s Valarie Allman, the world and Olympic champion, takes on the 2023 world champion Laulauga Tausaga and China’s Feng Bin, the 2022 world champion. The field will also include world silver medallist Jorinde van Klinken from the Netherlands.
Finally, the women’s 400m hurdles will see USA’s Olympic silver medallist Anna Cockrell and Slovakia’s world bronze medallist Emma Zapletalova among the leading contenders as they aim to make their mark in this highly competitive event.
As reported by worldathletics.org.
