The Athletissima 2017 in Lausanne is all about the upswing in Swiss athletics. No fewer than eight Swiss athletes will be running in the main field.
In the 5,000-kilometer race, fans can look forward to 21-year-old shooting star Julien Wanders. The man from Geneva is regarded as the greatest running talent of the recent past.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Kariem Hussein is almost an old hand. The 2014 European champion will compete in a Swiss duel against Alain-Hervé Mfompka over 400 meters hurdles. Spectacle guaranteed!
In the supreme discipline of athletics, the 100-meter sprint, a Swiss athlete will also be among the top contenders: Alex Wilson. The sprint high-flyer of the season set two Swiss records in May: He ran the 100 meters in 10.11 seconds and the 200 meters in 20.37 seconds. In Lausanne, the 26-year-old will face tough competition in the 100 meters. The field includes Christopher Belcher (USA), Justin Gatlin (USA), Akani Simbine (South Africa) and Islah Young (USA), four athletes who have run the 100 meters in under 10 seconds this season.
South African big star at the Athletissima
There is also full Swiss power in the women's race: Mujinga Kambundji and Sarah Atcho in the 200 meters, Selina Büchel in the 800 meters. They will all be good for a surprise. And then there's Lea Sprunger in the 400-meter hurdles: The 2016 European Championship bronze medallist is in absolute top form and has held the new Swiss record since Sunday with 51.09 seconds. Only one other European woman has run faster this year.
However, the big star of the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne is not Swiss and goes by the name of Wayde van Niekerk. The South African won gold in the 400 meters at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and set a new world record at the same time. He also achieved a new milestone just under a month ago in Ostrava in the Czech Republic: 30.81 seconds over 300 meters. Faster than anyone before. And the record holders include names such as Michael Johnson and Usain Bolt.
Lausanne can look forward to the Athletissima.
ATHLETISSIMA 2017
06.07.17, Stade Olympique de la Pontaise
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