Almost 100 Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists and 14 world record holders will be in action at the ninth leg of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League in Eugene this Saturday. Here are five things to look out for at the Prefontaine Classic.
Bednarek and Tebogo resume rivalry
One of the shocks of last year’s Wanda Diamond League Final came in the men’s 200m, where the USA’s Kenny Bednarek snatched victory from Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo with an impressive 19.67. Tebogo had notched up five wins in a row in the build-up to the final, but it was Bednarek who triumphed when it mattered, claiming the second Diamond Trophy of his career. The two men resume their rivalry in Eugene in a world-class 200m line-up which also includes Joseph Fahnbulleh, Jereem Richards and Alexander Ogando. While Tebogo’s win in Doha means he is currently well on course for a place in this year’s final, Bednarek makes his first appearance of the season in Eugene and has some catching up to do in the standings.
Alfred and Richardson clash in 100m
After her historic Olympic and Diamond League title wins in 2024, Julien Alfred has made an explosive start to this season with back-to-back victories in Oslo and Stockholm. Yet the St. Lucian star faces arguably her toughest test yet in Eugene, as she goes up against fellow Olympic medallists Sha’Carri Richardson and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in the 100m. Richardson has fond memories of Eugene, having returned to her best with a bang at the US Championships at Hayward Field in 2023. Both she and Jefferson-Wooden will be able to count on home crowd support as they take on the current fastest woman in the world.
Kipyegon and Chebet back in action
Few athletes have enjoyed as much success in recent years as Kenyan distance duo Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet. Kipyegon has notched up four world records in the last two Diamond League seasons, while Chebet hoovered up two Olympic golds, a Diamond Trophy and a 10,000m world record in 2024. Both Kenyan stars return to action in Eugene. Fresh from her audacious attempt at a four-minute mile last week, Kipyegon makes her second Diamond League appearance of the season in the 1500m, hoping to build on her comfortable victory in the 1000m at the season opener in Xiamen in April. Chebet, who broke the 10,000m world record in Eugene last year, returns to Hayward Field in dominant form, having clocked 5000m meeting records in Xiamen and Rome and a 3000m Diamond League record in Rabat.
Dos Santos challenges Benjamin
There was a time when meetings between the world’s best in the 400m hurdles were a rare treat for athletics fans. Not so anymore: last month saw not one, but two clashes between the three fastest men in history, as Olympic champion Rai Benjamin, world record holder Karsten Warholm and Diamond League champion Alison Dos Santos faced each other in Oslo and Stockholm. Benjamin and Dos Santos lock horns once again in Eugene, squaring up for their third direct duel in a matter of weeks. The American, who won the Diamond Trophy at Hayward Field back in 2023, will be slight favourite following his victory in Stockholm. Yet Brazil star Dos Santos is a force to be reckoned with, and will be keen to land the first win of his title defence in Eugene.
Olympic podium rematch in long jump
Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall kicked off her Diamond League campaign in style in Stockholm, leaping a sharp 7.05m to claim only the second Diamond League win of her career. The American will be looking to build on that success in front of her home crowd in Eugene, where she goes up against fellow Paris 2024 medallists Malaika Mihambo and Jasmine Moore. Moore is chasing her first ever Diamond League win, while Mihambo makes her first ever appearance at the Prefontaine Classic.
