Weltklasse Zürich is often referred to as “Olympic Games in one night”. And not without good reason: The meeting’s entry lists usually boast more Olympic champions and medallists than any other one-day athletics event. A week and a half after the flame goes out in Rio, the athletes will try to shine again at Letzigrund Stadium and treat 25,000 fans to a phenomenal athletics spectacle.
All events of the international programme for the evening feature all-star casts. The women’s 200m and the men’s pole vault are just two examples of 18 high-profile line-ups.
A summit of sprint legends: the “golden” 200m women’s race
The gold medal haul of the athletes competing in the women’s 200m at Weltklasse Zürich is truly impressive: Elaine Thompson (JAM), Dafne Schippers (NED), Allyson Felix, (USA) and Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM) have won a total of 25 titles at Olympic and world championships, including 12 in individual events. This year’s 200m thus represents a veritable summit of the greatest female sprinters of all times.
Men’s pole vault with the top five finalists of Rio – and a score to settle
Pole vault history could be written in the men’s event: World record holder Renaud Lavillenie intends to win the Diamond Race, the overall ranking of the IAAF Diamond League, for the seventh consecutive time. The competition will also provide him with an opportunity to settle the score with Thiago Braz, who took the title in a surprise win in Rio. The two will be challenged by bronze medallist Sam Kendricks (USA), Piotr Lisek (POL) and Jan Kudlicka (CZE), who both placed fourth.
Hussein, Kambundji, Büchel, Sprunger, and Schlumpf: Swiss stars to compete against the world’s best
No less than six local heroes will be competing in the meeting’s international programme of events this year. The large number of Swiss athletes at Weltklasse Zürich highlights the boom athletics is currently experiencing in Switzerland. Last year’s winner Kariem Hussein will be facing Olympic champion Kerron Clement (USA) and world champion Nicholas Bett (KEN) in the 400m hurdles. And just like Hussein, European championship bronze medallist Lea Sprunger would like to make up for a disappointing result in Rio. The 400m hurdler will compete against European champion and Olympic silver medallist Sara Petersen (DEN), among others. Mujinga Kambundji will compete in the 200m, and national record holders Selina Büchel (800m) and Fabienne Schlumpf (3000m SC) would like to demonstrate their talent and fine form against Olympic champions Caster Semenya and Ruth Jebet. Finally, European championship qualifier Dominik Alberto will compete against the world’s best pole vaulters.
As always, the Zurich Trophy – a 4x100m relay race – will conclude the programme of events. The successful women’s national relay team will round off the night at Letzigrund Stadium, running against teams of the USA, Jamaica, and Germany.
Nicole Büchler and Angelica Moser at Zurich Main Station – and live on SRF zwei
Some athletes will already be flying high on Wednesday night, when the best female pole vaulters of the world will compete at the special arena of Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station. The entry list for the competition includes Switzerland’s Nicole Büchler, who placed sixth at the Olympic Games and world junior champion Angelica Moser, Olympic champion Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE), and silver medallist Sandi Morris (USA).
For the first time, Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station will be broadcast live on SRF zwei. The competition starts on Wednesday, 31 August, 6.30pm.
New Olympic Champions at Weltklasse Zürich (14/as at 22 August, noon):
- Elaine Thompson (JAM/100m/200m; will compete in the Weltklasse Zürich 200m race)
- Caster Semenya (RSA/800m)
- Faith Kipyegon (KEN/1500m)
- Ruth Jebet (BRN/3000m SC)
- Ruth Beitia (ESP/high jump)
- Ekaterini Stefanidi (GRE/pole vault; Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station)
- Tianna Bartoletta (USA/long jump)
- Sandra Perkovic (CRO/discus throw)
- Omar McLeod (JAM/110m h; will compete in the 100m race at Weltklasse Zürich)
- Kerron Clement (USA/400m h)
- Thiago Braz (BRA/pole vault)
- Christian Taylor (USA/triple jump)
- Ryan Crouser (USA/shot put)
- Thomas Röhler (GER/javelin throw)
Swiss athletes in the Weltklasse Zürich international programme:
- Mujinga Kambundji (200m)
- Selina Büchel (800m)
- Lea Sprunger (400m h)
- Fabienne Schlumpf (3000m SC)
- National 4x100m relay team (4x100m women)
- Kariem Hussein (400m h)
- Dominik Alberto (pole vault)
- Nicole Büchler (pole vault; Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station)
- Angelica Moser (pole vault; Weltklasse Zürich at Zurich Main Station)
