Wanyonyi to take on British star at London Diamond League next month
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 26.06.26. | 08:00
The 21-year-old has had a rough start to the circuit this year, but will look to make amends at a familiar stomping ground
Reigning Olympic gold medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi says he is hoping to bounce back into form when he lines up for the men’s 800m event at the London Diamond League on 18 July.
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Wanyonyi, who is yet to win a race in the Diamond League circuit this year, has been confirmed as one of the star attractions of the Novuna London Athletics Meet next month, where he will look to be crowned champion for a second year running.
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“I’m really excited to come back to London,” Wanyonyi said on Thursday, 25 June. “I have good memories from last year, of course, after winning the race in a solid 1’42”00. Because 2026 is not a World Champs or Olympic year, I’m very focused on the Diamond League circuit.”
The 21-year-old has endured a slow start in his usual two-lap distance this year, suffering defeats in Rabat at the end of May, and in Oslo in June.
In London, Wanyonyi comes up against British 800m runner Max Burgin, who beat him to second in Rabat, and will be running on home soil.
On resuming his rivalry with Wanyonyi, the 24-year-old Burgin, who finished second behind Wanyonyi in London last year, said: “I’ve had some of the best performances of my career at the London stadium.
I’m hoping for another big one this year, and having the best in the world alongside me in the race will push me to that extra level, I’m sure of it.”
Wanyonyi has held the Diamond League title since 2023, and is also the reigning world champion from last year.
The London Diamond League, which will also attract other leading British stars including: Charlie Dobson, Phoebe Gill, Morgan Lake, Hannah Nuttall, Megan Keith and Innes FitzGerald, is the 11th leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, which began in Shanghai/Keqiao on 16 May, and ends at the two-day series final in Brussels on 4-5 September.
