Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek are set to take center stage once again as their fierce sprint rivalry continues in the men’s 100m at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on August 20.
After a heated clash in the 200m at the US Championships, the two American stars will now go head-to-head in the shorter sprint, with both bragging rights and Diamond League Final qualification points on the line.
Lyles, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, has been in sensational form all season, but Bednarek, the current Diamond League 200m champion, has proven he’s more than capable of challenging his compatriot when it matters most.
Their showdown at Athletissima promises fireworks, especially with both athletes looking to stamp their authority ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
But Lausanne won’t just be about Lyles and Bednarek. The men’s 100m field is stacked with global talent, including Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who narrowly lost to Lyles in the Olympic final and Oblique Seville, who stunned the Olympic champion at the London Diamond League last month. Also joining the field are Courtney Lindsey (USA), Swiss hopeful Timothée Mumenthaler, and 2021 Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy, rounding out a world-class lineup.
Women’s 200m: Alfred and Thomas Set for a Sprint Spectacle
The women’s 200m will feature another blockbuster showdown as Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred takes on Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas.
Alfred, already qualified for the Diamond League Final in the 100m, is looking to test her form over the longer distance, while Thomas will be making her much-anticipated Diamond League season debut in Lausanne.
The event won’t be short on star power, with Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith also lining up in what promises to be one of the most competitive women’s sprint races of the year.
More Thrills Across the Track and Field
Elsewhere, American hurdlers Cordell Tinch and Trey Cunningham will renew their rivalry in the men’s 110m hurdles, joined by Europe’s top contenders including Spain’s Henrique Llopis, France’s Just Kwaou-Mathey, and local favorite Jason Joseph of Switzerland.
In the women’s high jump, all eyes will be on world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh as she looks to rebound from back-to-back Diamond League defeats. She’ll face stiff opposition from Australians Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson, as well as Serbia’s Angelina Topic.
Road to the Final Intensifies
With just one stop remaining before the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich (August 27–28), the Lausanne meeting is a crucial chance for athletes to secure their place among the season’s elite.
From sprints to hurdles to high jump drama, Athletissima 2025 promises world-class competition and unforgettable moments.
The Wanda Diamond League is the world’s premier one-day athletics series, featuring 15 elite meetings where athletes compete for points to qualify for the season-ending final.
The 2025 finale will take place in Zurich on August 27–28, bringing together the best of the best in global track and field.
