Wanyonyi, Arop sequel to spice up Lausanne DL

As if the excitement couldn’t get any better, athletics fans all across the world will once again be treated to what is looking like a fierce battle between Kenyan youngster and Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Canada’s Marco Arop next weekend in the Lausanne Diamond League.

The duo, who have found themselves in close contention in the last two 800m major international finals, were confirmed to duel once more in the 11th stage of this season’s Wanda Diamond League.

The race, which will also include four of the top five finishers from the Paris Olympic Games, comes twelve days after the Kenyan 20-year-old produced a sensational gun-to-tape performance on the purple track to hold off Arop en route to a historical win in a personal best time of 1:41.19.

Arop, who in the summer of 2023 got one better of Wanyonyi to take victory in the World Championships in Budapest, was only second by the tightest of margins, timing 1:41.20.

Paris Olympics: 20 year old Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins Kenya's fifth consecutive 800m gold

His post-race comments offer much insight on what to expect come Thursday.

“I did everything I could. It's not the first time we've had a finish like that, Wanyonyi and I,” Arop said. “He's an incredible athlete. And you know, it's not going to be the last time we have a race like that. Hopefully next time we race, it'll be me on top, but I’ve got to give him credit where credit is due," he opened up.

Another contender in the race will be America’s Bryce Hoppel, who was the fourth man to run sub 1:42 in the Paris final, clocking a national record time of 1:41.67.

Elsewhere in the 200m, newly-minted Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo will be the main attraction in a race that is always highly anticipated and very fast at La Pontaise.

He will face, among others, 100m bronze medalist in Paris Fred Kerley, and Erriyon Knighton (USA).

Another highlight, the 100m hurdles, will feature Puerto Rican Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the 2021 Olympic champion, current world champion Danielle Williams (JAM), Paris silver medalist Cyréna Samba-Mayela (FRA), and Swiss athlete Ditaji Kambundji, who will be at home.

Record-breaking pole vault specialist Armand "Mondo" Duplantis will also be in action.