Why mince your words when you can make a statement? In part two of our review of the best quotes of 2025: Mondo Duplantis muses on the joy of home comforts, Gout Gout celebrates a successful debut and Noah Lyles makes a bold prediction for where he’ll be in five years time.
“When I have the chance to sleep in your own bed, I prefer that” – Mondo Duplantis
Ahead of his home Diamond League meeting in Stockholm, Mondo Duplantis admitted that he was relishing a rare chance to sleep and eat at home, rather than in a hotel. It obviously did wonders for him, as he went on to break the world record on home soil for the first time in his career.
“Within the next month” – Gabriel Tual
Asked in Paris when the men’s 800m world record would fall, Gabriel Tual stuck his neck out. In the end, it wasn’t to be, but 2025 was still a vintage year over two laps, as Tual and co. kept the heat on eventual champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi throughout the season.
“Business is booming, I’m booming!” – Tara Davis-Woodhall
Anyone who says there is no future in the field events should probably talk to Tara Davis-Woodhall. Ahead of her world-lead-equalling Diamond League victory in Eugene, the Olympic long jump champion reminded everyone why she and her event have been front and centre in recent years.
“This is the time I was expecting” – Faith Kipyegon
After five world records in the last three Diamond League seasons, Faith Kipyegon was supremely unfazed when she smashed the 1500m world record for the third year in a row with 3:48.68 in Eugene.
“I’ve been saying it time and time again: I’m here to stay” – Melissa Jefferson-Wooden
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden claimed her first ever Diamond League win with a stunning 10.75 victory over Olympic champion Julien Alfred in Eugene, and she followed it up with a statement of intent ahead of her World Championships triumph in Tokyo.
“I just want to go out there and see what I can do” – Gout Gout
Australian sprint sensation Gout Gout marked his first ever Diamond League appearance with a bang in the pre-programme U23 200m in Monaco. After storming to victory, he was already setting his sights on future battles with the likes of Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo.
“I’ll either have taken over the track world or have three Olympic gold medals” – Noah Lyles
With only three years to go until the next Olympic Games, six-time Diamond League champion Noah Lyles was asked in London where he saw himself a year after LA 2028. As it turned out, he has big plans.
“I think he likes the whisky here…” – Femke Bol
Femke Bol stormed to yet another world lead and meeting record in Silesia this year. But as she accidentally let slip during the press conference, it seems her coach has another reason for heading to the Polish Diamond League meeting.
