Preview: Silesia Diamond League Kamila Skolimowska Memorial
Records could tumble and rivalries will reignite as the 2025 Silesia Diamond League takes over the Silesia Stadium in Chorzów, Poland, on 16 August. The Memorial Kamila Skolimowska headlines with Faith Kipyegon targeting the formidable 3000m world record, just one year after Armand Duplantis and Jakob Ingebrigtsen lit up the track with their 6.26m pole vault and 7:17.55 3000m heroics. Fans can expect fireworks across a loaded programme: Duplantis returns after two more world records this summer (6.28m in Stockholm, 6.29m in Budapest), Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson meet in a 100m Olympic final rematch, Shericka Jackson returns to the 200m, Femke Bol hunts her 30th straight Diamond League win in the 400m hurdles, and world champions Karsten Warholm, Grant Holloway, and Yaroslava Mahuchik headline their specialties. With Olympic medallists, world record-holders, and rising stars in nearly every event, Silesia promises one of the most electric meetings of the 2025 Diamond League season.
Men’s Pole Vault:
World record-holder Armand “Mondo” Duplantis returns to Silesia, where last year he set the global mark at 6.26m — adding 1cm to his previous record from the Paris Olympics, where he won his second straight gold. This summer, Duplantis has extended his dominance, breaking the world record twice more (6.28m in Stockholm, 15 June; 6.29m in Budapest, 12 August) and winning five Diamond League meets: Xiamen (5.92m), Keqiao (6.11m), Oslo (6.15m), Eugene (6.00m) and Monaco (6.05m).
His main rival is Emmanouil Karalis (GRE), now fourth on the all-time list (6.08m) and an eight-time 6m+ performer this season, including 6.02m in Budapest.
Last year’s edition saw history with Sam Kendricks clearing 6.00m weeks after his Olympic silver, marking the first time three vaulters achieved 6.00m in the same competition.
Also in the field: Kurtis Marshall (AUS, 5.93m SB), Renaud Lavillenie (FRA, 5.82m), Menno Vloon (NED, 5.90m), Ersu Şaşma (TUR, 5.92m), Piotr Lisek (POL, 6.02m), and Sondre Guttormsen (NOR), 2023 European indoor champion.
Women’s 3000 Metres:
Three-time Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon targets one of athletics’ most enduring records: the 8:06.11 mark set by Wang Yunxia (CHN) in 1993. Making her Silesia debut, Kipyegon arrives with the 1500m world record (3:48.68, Eugene 2024), the world mile best (4:07.64, Monaco 2023), and a former 5000m world record (14:05.20, Paris 2023). Her current 3000m PB of 8:23.25 dates back to 2014.
“I’m just going there to lower my personal best. That world record is tough. We are here to try. I say, ‘dare to try,’” Kipyegon said.
She faces Jessica Hull (AUS, Olympic 1500m silver, 2000m WR 5:19.70), Georgia Griffith (AUS, 1500m winner in Budapest 3:58.25), Marta Alemayo (ETH, World U20 3000m bronze), and Aleshighm Baweke (ETH, 5000m PB 14:27.33).
Women’s 1500 Metres:
Double Olympic distance champion Beatrice Chebet (5000m and 10,000m, Paris 2024) steps down to the 1500m internationally for the first time. The Kenyan holds the 5000m world record (13:58.06, Eugene 2024) and this year has added Diamond League wins in Xiamen (14:27.12), Rabat 3000m (8:06.11 African record), and Rome (14:03.69).
She meets fellow world record-holders Gudaf Tsegay (ETH, former 5000m WR 14:00.21, mile 4:11.88) and Diribe Welteji (ETH, mile road WR 4:20.98, 1500m PB 3:51.44). Also in the field: Georgia Bell (GBR, Olympic 1500m bronze, 800m DL winner in London 1:56.74), Birke Haylom (ETH, World U20 indoor 3000m record 8:25.37), and Nikki Hiltz (USA, 1500m PB 3:55.96, US champion).
Men’s 1500 Metres:
Six sub-3:30 performers clash, led by Olympic bronze medallist Yared Nuguse (USA, 3:45.95 mile SB). Nuguse, 12th in the Diamond League standings, seeks a Zurich final wildcard after missing Tokyo Worlds qualification.
Rivals include Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN, 3:29.75 SB), Josh Hoey (USA, World indoor 800m champion), Cameron Myers (AUS, 3:29.80 Oceania U20 record), and Hobbs Kessler (USA, Olympic 5th).
Men’s 100 Metres
Olympic champion Noah Lyles renews his rivalry with silver medallist Kishane Thompson (JAM) and bronze medallist Kenny Bednarek (USA). The Paris final saw Lyles clock 9.79 to edge Thompson by 0.005s.
Thompson owns a 9.75 PB (Jamaican Trials) and DL win in Eugene (9.85). Lyles, back from injury, has 200m wins in Monaco (19.88) and the US Championships (19.63 WL). Bednarek leads the world with 9.79, plus a 19.67 SB over 200m.
Other contenders: Akani Simbine (RSA, 9.82 PB, three DL wins this year), Courtney Lindsey (USA, 9.82 SB), Trayvon Bromell (USA, 9.84 SB), Christian Coleman (USA, 9.86 SB), and Ackeem Blake (JAM, 9.88 SB).
Women’s 100 Metres:
Olympic bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson Wooden (USA) meets world champion Sha’Carri Richardson (USA). Jefferson Wooden has wins in Kingston (11.11), Miami (10.75), and Philadelphia (10.73), plus a 10.65 PB from the US Championships. Richardson owns 2023 world golds in the 100m (10.65) and 4x100m, and Olympic bronze in 10.87.
Also in the field: Marie Josée Ta Lou (CIV, 10.90 SB), Tina Clayton (JAM, 10.81 PB), Tia Clayton (JAM, 10.83 SB), Dina Asher-Smith (GBR, 22.14 200m SB), Ewa Swoboda (POL, 10.94 NR), Jacious Sears (USA, 10.85 SB), and Gina Luckenkemper (GER, 10.93 PB).
Women’s 200 Metres:
Two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson (JAM, 21.41 PB) returns to Silesia, where she won in 2022 (21.84). She faces Brittany Brown (USA, Olympic bronze, DL Final winner 22.20), Amy Hunt (GBR, 22.14 SB), Darryl Neita (GBR, Olympic 4th in 100m), Jael Bestue (ESP, 22.19 SB), Maia McCoy (USA, Berlin 100m winner 11.01), Favour Ofili (NGR, Olympic 6th 22.24), and Jenna Prandini (USA, 4x100m world champion 2022).
Men’s 400m Hurdles:
World record-holder Karsten Warholm (NOR) returns after winning here last year in 46.95. In 2025, he has set two 300m hurdles world bests — 33.05 (Xiamen) and 32.67 (Oslo) — plus DL wins in Keqiao (47.28) and a 47.41 in Stockholm.
Challengers include Ezekiel Nathaniel (NGR, 47.49 PB), Abderrahman Samba (QAT, 47.09 SB), Chris Robinson (USA, 48.05 PB), Alessandro Sibilio (ITA, NR 47.50), Caleb Dean (USA, 47.23 PB), Trevor Bassitt (USA, world bronze medallist), Roshawn Clarke (JAM, U20 WR 47.49), and Berke Akçam (TUR, 48.17 SB).
Women’s 400m Hurdles:
Dutch star Femke Bol chases her 30th consecutive Diamond League win. She’s undefeated in 2025, with wins in Rabat (52.46), Stockholm (52.11), Monaco (51.95 WL), and London (52.10). She set the DL record of 51.30 in 2024.
She faces Savannah Sutherland (CAN, 52.46 PB), Jasmine Jones (USA, 52.29 PB), Andrenette Knight (JAM, 53.67 SB), Shiann Salmon (JAM, 52.97 PB), Emma Zapletalová (SVK, NR 53.75), Gianna Woodruff (PAN, NR 53.99), and Amalie Iuel (NOR, 54.66 SB).
Women’s 400 Metres:
The full Olympic podium reunites: world and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (DOM), silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser (BRN), and European champion Natalia Kaczmarek (POL).
Paulino set the Olympic record in Paris with 48.17 and has 2025 DL wins in Paris (48.81) and Monaco (49.06). She also claimed Grand Slam Track victories in Miami (49.21) and Philadelphia (49.12). She’s the defending Silesia champion (48.86, 2024).
Naser, the 2019 world champion, clocked 48.53 for Olympic silver and owns wins in Ostrava (49.15) and runner-up finishes to Paulino in Paris (48.85).
Kaczmarek runs before her home crowd after breaking Irena Szewińska’s Polish record in Rome 2024 (48.98). She repeated that time for Olympic bronze in Paris and lowered it to 48.90 in London.
Also in the mix: Amber Anning (GBR, world indoor champion 50.60), Henriette Jæger (NOR, European U23 champion 49.74), and Lieke Klaver (NED, European outdoor bronze medallist 2024).
Men’s 110 Metres Hurdles:
Olympic and triple world champion Grant Holloway (USA) defends his Silesia title (13.04, 2024). The 12.81 American has 10 Diamond League wins since 2022 and eyes another Zurich trophy before Tokyo Worlds.
Rivals include Cordell Tinch (USA, 12.87 PB, 4th fastest all-time), Jakub Szymański (POL, European indoor champion 7.43), Hansle Parchment (JAM, Tokyo Olympic champion), Lorenzo Simonelli (ITA, European champion 13.05), Eric Edwards (USA, 13.23 SB), and Enzo Diessl (AUT, 13.17 NR).
Women’s 100 Metres Hurdles:
Olympic champion Masai Russell (USA, 12.33 in Paris) headlines a stacked field featuring world record-holder Tobi Amusan (NGR, 12.12 WR), world champion Danielle Williams (JAM), and defending Silesia winner Ackera Nugent (JAM, 12.29 SB).
Russell owns the second-fastest time in history (12.17) and US title (12.22). Amusan has a 12.24 SB, Williams a 12.43 PB, and Nugent a 12.29 SB.
Also entered: Megan Tapper (JAM, 12.34 SB), Nadine Visser (NED, European indoor silver medallist 7.72), and Pia Skrzyszowska (POL, world indoor bronze 2025).
Women’s Long Jump:
European champion Malaika Mihambo (GER, 7.22m SB) meets Larissa Iapichino (ITA, 7.06m PB) in their latest rivalry bout. Mihambo took Olympic silver in Paris (6.98m), while Iapichino was 4th.
Other contenders: Claire Bryant (USA, world indoor champion 6.96m), Jasmine Moore (USA, Olympic bronze in LJ/TJ), Hillary Kpatcha (FRA, 7.02m SB), Ackelia Smith (JAM, 6.81m SB), Monae Nichols (USA, world indoor silver 2024), and Lex Brown (USA, 7.03m PB).
Men’s Shot Put:
World leader Leonardo Fabbri (ITA, 22.98m NR) leads against a stacked US contingent. Fabbri, European champion, has 2025 marks of 22.82m, 22.31m, 22.13m, and 22.08m.
Joe Kovacs (USA, 22.48m SB) must win in Zurich to reach Worlds. He recently threw 22.33m in Budapest. Also competing: Tom Walsh (NZL, 21.89 SB), Rajindra Campbell (JAM, 22.15m Olympic bronze), Roger Steen (USA, 22.11m SB), Adrian Piperi (USA, 22.29m SB), Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (NGR, 22.10m African record), Zane Weir (ITA, 22.44m PB), and Konrad Bukowiecki (POL, 21.97m PB).
Women’s 800 Metres (non-Diamond League)
Olympic and European champion Keely Hodgkinson (GBR, 1:54.61 PB) returns from injury. She faces Raevyn Rogers (USA, 1:58.49 SB), Claudia Hollingsworth (AUS, 1:58.02 PB), Oratile Nowe (BOT, 1:57.49 PB), Catriona Bisset (AUS, 1:57.78 NR), and Clara Liberman (FRA, European indoor silver 2025).
City Events – Katowice, 15 August
- Women’s High Jump – World record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchik (UKR, 2.10m) meets Olympic silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers (AUS) and bronze medallist Eleanor Patterson (AUS). Mahuchik owns DL wins in Xiamen (1.97m) and Keqiao (2.00m).
- Women’s Pole Vault – World leader Amanda Moll (USA, 4.91m PB) faces twin Hana Moll and world indoor champion Marie-Julie Bonnin (FRA).
- Women’s Shot Put – Olympic champion Yemisi Ogunleye (GER, 20.27m PB) vs European champion Jessica Schilder (NED, 20.69m NR).
- Men’s Javelin Throw - Julian Weber (GER, 91.06m PB) faces two-time world champion Anderson Peters (GRN), Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott (TTO), 2015 world champion Julius Yego (KEN), and Cyprian Mrzygłód (POL, 85.92m SB).
Men’s Hammer Throw:
World leader Bence Halász (HUN, 83.18m SB) takes on Olympic champion Ethan Katzberg (CAN, 82.73m SB). Also entered: Mykhaylo Kokhan (UKR, 81.66m SB), Paweł Fajdek (POL, five-time world champion), Yann Chaussinand (FRA, 81.91m SB), and Merlin Hummel (GER, 81.27m SB).
Women’s Hammer Throw
Olympic champion Camryn Rogers (CAN, 78.88m SB) meets 2022 world champion Brooke Andersen (USA, 79.29m SB). Both are joined by Krista Tervo (FIN, 77.14m PB), Silja Kosonen (FIN, 77.07m PB), and Rachel Richeson (USA, 78.80m PB).
Men’s High Jump
Olympic champion Hamish Kerr (NZL, 2.36m SB) faces Olympic silver medallist Shelby McEwen (USA) in a rematch of Paris. Also in the field: Jan Štefela (CZE, 2.33m SB), Gianmarco Tamberi (ITA, 2.34m PB), Oleg Doroshchuk (UKR, 2.29m SB), JuVaughn Harrison (USA, 2.36m PB), Romaine Beckford (JAM, 2.33m PB), and Naoto Hasegawa (JPN, 2.27m SB).
