Olympic 110m hurdles champion Grant Holloway will make a triumphant return to Paris, where he cemented his hurdling legacy.
American superstar Holloway will headline the Wanda Diamond League Wanda Diamond League on June 20, racing against French stars Wilhelm Belocian and Samba-Mayela.
Fresh off his Olympic gold in Paris, Holloway won in 12.99 seconds and now targets the Diamond League crown. The three-time world champion will compete in Xiamen, Shanghai, and Silesia during this competitive Diamond League season.
However, his return to Stade Charléty carries personal meaning and adds emotional weight to his Paris Diamond League appearance.
“Paris is where I achieved one of my greatest career milestones,” Holloway said as quoted by Diamond League.
“Racing here again, against the best in the world, is always a privilege.”
His top challenger at home is France’s Wilhelm Belocian, 60m hurdles world indoor bronze medallist from Nanjing this year. Belocian, in excellent form, aims to use the home crowd’s energy to push for a major upset.
Olympic silver medallist Cyréna Samba-Mayela returns for her first French appearance since her memorable 100m hurdles run at Paris 2024.
“Competing in Paris, in front of a French crowd and my loved ones, will naturally be extra special. Less than a year after the incredible Olympics, I’m excited to prove myself on the Charléty track once again,”Samba-Mayela said.
Samba-Mayela secured her first Diamond League win in Eugene last year before delivering a sensational silver medal at the Olympics. She aims to extend her Diamond League dominance, with each race building momentum toward the season finale in Zurich.
The Wanda Diamond League is the top one-day athletics series, featuring 15 elite meets held around the world. Athletes earn points at each event to qualify for the Diamond League Final in Zurich on August 27 and 28.