Preview: Five Olympic Champions Headline a Star-Studded Paris Diamond League

Thursday, 19 June 2025

The Stade Charléty in Paris will host one of the most anticipated stops on the Wanda Diamond League circuit this Friday, June 20, as five reigning Olympic champions—Marileidy Paulino, Grant Holloway, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Rai Benjamin, and Soufiane El Bakkali—lead a glittering array of global athletics stars. Just weeks before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this meeting serves as a compelling prelude, featuring world record-holders, reigning world and continental champions, and a series of thrilling rivalries ready to be reignited under the lights of the French capital.

Women’s High Jump

Yaroslava Mahuchikh returns to the venue where she soared to 2.07m to set the Ukrainian record and then famously cleared 2.10m, breaking Stefka Kostadinova’s 37-year-old world record in an unforgettable edition of the Paris Diamond League. Mahuchikh went on to win Olympic gold in Paris with a 2.00m clearance, beating Nicola Olyslagers on countback.

Mahuchikh set the 2025 world lead at 2.02m in Doha, but Olyslagers has had the edge this season, winning in Nanjing (1.97m) and Stockholm (2.01m). The two are tied 2–2 in head-to-head clashes this year.

They’ll be joined by Eleanor Patterson (Olympic bronze, 1.95m), Angelina Topic (1.97m PB), Morgan Lake (1.97m PB), Maria Zodzik (1.98m PB), Yulia Sadullayeva, Nadezhda Dubovitskaya, Yulia Levchenko, Christina Honsel, Solène Giquel, and Charity Hufnagel (US Trials winner, 1.94m).

Women’s 400m

Marileidy Paulino, the Olympic gold medallist and record-breaker (48.17), looks to extend her Diamond League dominance after wins in Paris (2021, 2023, 2024). She’s unbeaten in 2025 with wins in Miami (49.21) and Philadelphia (49.12).

She’ll clash with NCAA indoor champion Isabella Whittaker (PB 49.24), Grand Slam winner Salwa Eid Naser (48.67 SB), European bronze medallist Lieke Klaver, and world indoor champion Amber Anning.

Men’s 400m Hurdles

Rai Benjamin, double Olympic gold medallist, opened his season with a US record 33.22 in the 300m hurdles and a 46.54 win in the 400m hurdles—his fourth-fastest ever.

He’ll face Abderrahmane Samba (46.98 PB), Alessandro Sibilio (Italian record 47.50), Matheus Lima (PB 48.08), Alaistar Chalmers (PB 48.30), Trevor Bassitt, and Emil Agyekum (48.37).

Men’s 110m Hurdles

Grant Holloway, fresh off his Olympic triumph (12.99), returns for his first race since April. He’s a past winner here (12.98) and will meet Trey Cunningham, who beat Holloway in Gainesville (13.09) and clocked a seasonal best of 13.00 in Miami.

The field includes Jason Joseph (Rome winner, 13.14), Wilhelm Belocian (double indoor silver medallist), Freddie Crittenden, Enrique Llopis, Asier Martínez, Rachid Muratake (13.04 NR), and Jamal Britt.

Women’s 100m Hurdles

Grace Stark (12.33 MR in Stockholm) and Ackera Nugent (12.34 SB) headline a loaded field. Nugent is fourth fastest all-time (12.24 PB).

Contenders include Nadine Visser, Devynne Charlton, Kendra Harrison, Pia Skrzyszowska, Tobi Amusan (12.45 SB), and Alaysha Johnson (12.31 SB).

Women’s 200m

Anavia Battle seeks a fourth win this season, facing Dina Asher-Smith (10.93 SB), Brittany Brown (Olympic bronze), Amy Hunt (11.03 PB), and McKenzie Long (Olympic finalist).

Women’s Pole Vault

Katie Moon (4.83m SB) and Sandi Morris (4.82m SB) resume their rivalry. Morris is unbeaten in Rome and Stockholm.

They’ll face Angelica Moser (4.63m SB), Marie-Julie Bonnin (World Indoor champion, 4.75m), Roberta Bruni (Diamond League leader), Tina Šutej, Gabriela Leon, and Amalie Svabíková.

Men’s Javelin

Julian Weber (91.06m PB) meets Neeraj Chopra (90m+ SB) in a rematch of Doha’s epic clash.

The field features Anderson Peters (Olympic bronze), Julius Yego, Keshorn Walcott, Mauricio Luiz da Silva (86.34m PB), and Andrian Mardare.

Women’s Discus

Valarie Allman (70.52m North American record) is undefeated in 2025 and leads the Diamond League.

She’ll face Sandra Elkasević (6-time Diamond League champion), Yaimé Pérez, and Laulauga Tausaga.

Men’s Triple Jump

Jordan Scott (17.34m PB) aims for a third straight win. He’ll face Fabrice Zango (17.64m), Lazaro Martínez, Max Hess (17.43m), Yasser Triki, and Donald Scott.

Men’s 5000m

Nico Young (12:45.27 PB) headlines after Oslo victory. Soufiane El Bakkali (double Olympic steeplechase champion) steps up in distance.

Others include Yomif Kejelcha (12:38.95), Jacob Krop (12:45.71), Jimmy Gressier, and Yann Schrub.

Women’s 3000m Steeplechase

Faith Cherotich, winner in Doha and Oslo, returns to face Peruth Chemutai, Sembo Almayew, Alice Finot (8:18.67 SB), Nora Jeruto, and Gesa Krause.

Men’s 800m

Gabriel Tual (1:41.61 NR) meets Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.90), Bryce Hoppel (1:41.67 NR), and Tshepiso Maselela (1:42.70).

Women’s 1500m

Nelly Chepchirchir (3:58.04 SB) faces Sarah Healy (3:59.17), Linden Hall (3:58.40), and Susan Ejore (3:56.07).

Men’s 3000m Steeplechase (non-DL scoring)

Lamecha Girma returns to the scene of his world record (7:52.11), facing Getnet Wale (2019 DL Final winner).