American discus sensation Valarie Allman is brimming with confidence ahead of the Rome Diamond League, set to take place on June 6 at the historic Stadio Olimpico.
“I love the structure this season… anything can happen,” she said during a press conference. “It’s inspiring to be in a place where there is beauty and history. There will be a strong fight, but I love that it keeps motivating me. I feel proud and ready to give my best.”
Just two months ago, the 30-year-old made headlines. She shattered the U.S. national record with a massive 73.52m throw at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting in Ramona, Oklahoma. It was the farthest throw in the women’s discus since 1989 and moved her to sixth on the all-time list.
In Rome, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist and Paris 2024 bronze medallist winner will be aiming to maintain her grip on Diamond League supremacy. Valarie Allman has already captured four consecutive titles from 2021 through 2024 and now has her sights firmly set on a fifth.
But she won’t have it easy. Among her toughest rivals will be China’s Feng Bin, the 2022 World Champion and Paris 2024 silver medallist, and Croatia’s Sandra Elkasević, the seasoned thrower who claimed Olympic gold in both London 2012 and Rio 2016.
