Preview: Copernicus Cup Torun - World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold

The city of Torun is gearing up to host the eleventh edition of the ORLEN Copernicus Cup on Sunday, February 16, marking the eighth and penultimate leg of the prestigious World Indoor Tour Gold. This high-stakes event will see elite athletes from around the globe compete for a coveted wild-card entry to the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing (21-23 March). With top-tier talent across multiple disciplines, fans can expect thrilling performances in sprinting, jumping, and throwing events.

• ORLEN Copernicus Cup Live Stream and TV Coverage Details

Women's 60 Metres: A Clash of Sprinting Titans

Polish sprint sensation Ewa Swoboda will lead the charge in the women's 60 metres, seeking to claim victory once again in front of her home crowd. Swoboda, a three-time winner at this event, will face strong competition from Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van der Weken, Swiss star Mujinga Kambundji, Italy’s Zaynab Dosso, and Australia’s rising talent Torrie Lewis.

Swoboda enters the race in top form, having secured multiple podium finishes this season, including a silver at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Van der Weken, who set the European seasonal lead of 7.07, poses a significant threat after clinching victories in Ostrava and Karlsruhe. Meanwhile, Lewis, Kambundji, and Dosso add depth to the competition, ensuring a thrilling showdown.

Men's Long Jump: Olympic Champions Face Off

Two-time Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou will go head-to-head with Olympic bronze medallist Mattia Furlani and Tobias Montler, the current world seasonal co-leader. Tentoglou, fresh off a gold-medal performance at the European Championships, aims to add another win to his résumé in Torun. However, Furlani, who recently equaled the world lead with 8.23m, and Montler, a three-time European indoor silver medallist, will provide stiff competition.

Women’s Shot Put: World-Class Rivals Reunite

A high-caliber showdown awaits in the women’s shot put as world outdoor champion Chase Jackson, world indoor champion Sarah Mitton, and European champion Jessica Schilder prepare to battle once more. Mitton, who set a world-leading mark of 20.68m earlier this season, will look to continue her dominance. However, Jackson and Schilder, both seasoned competitors, are expected to push her to the limit.

Men’s Shot Put: Italian Powerhouses Lead the Field

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri and Zane Weir headline a formidable shot put lineup. Fabbri, the Italian indoor and outdoor record holder, recently secured a world-leading mark of 21.95m in Liévin, while Weir, his training partner, continues to impress with strong performances. The event also features Nigerian powerhouse Chukwebueka Enekwechi and seasoned competitors Nick Ponzio and Konrad Bukowiecki.

Women’s 60 Metres Hurdles: Speed and Precision Collide

World indoor record holder Devynne Charlton will take on a formidable lineup, including Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, Poland’s Pia Skryszowska, and European indoor champion Ditaji Kambundji. Nugent, who leads the world rankings with a time of 7.75, will look to assert her dominance, but Charlton, Skryszowska, and Kambundji are all capable of producing winning performances.

Men's 60 Metres Hurdles: Poland’s Szymanski Eyes Victory

Jakub Szymanski, Poland’s national record holder, will aim to capitalize on his recent form as he takes on American sprinter Dylan Beard. Szymanski’s 7.39-second performance ranks among the fastest in European history, setting the stage for an electrifying race.

Middle-Distance Showdowns: Tsegay, Mehary, and Duguma Take Center Stage

The middle-distance events will feature an array of world-class talent, including Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay in the women’s 3000m, Biniam Mehary in the men’s 1500m, and Tsige Duguma in the women’s 800m. Tsegay will be eager to avenge her recent defeat to compatriot Freweyni Hailu, while Duguma looks to extend her winning streak and claim the World Indoor Tour Gold lead.

Other Exciting Events: Pole Vault, Pentathlon, and 400 Metres

Polish fans will rally behind Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Kaczmarek in the women’s 400 metres, while Ernest John Obiena will face Huang Bokai in the men’s pole vault. The pentathlon promises to be a thrilling contest as Poland’s Adrianna Sulek-Schubert, fresh off a maternity break, takes on Croatia’s rising star Jana Koscak.