Lausanne Diamond League preview: Kenyans await another masterclass from Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 800m

Lausanne Diamond League preview: Kenyans await another masterclass from Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 800m

Eric Munene 14:30 - 21.08.2024

Emmanuel Wanyonyi will be challenged by Canada's Marco Arop and Bryce Hoppel

The men’s 800 metres race at the Lausanne Diamond League is set to be a show of elite middle-distance running, with the spotlight on Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the youngest ever Olympic champion in this event.

Fresh from his stunning victory at the Paris Olympics, where he clocked a remarkable 1:41.19, Emmanuel Wanyonyi is primed to continue his exceptional form and solidify his status as a rising star in athletics.

Wanyonyi's Olympic triumph not only marked him as a prodigious talent but also elevated him to third place on the world all-time list, trailing only the legends David Rudisha (1:40.91) and Wilson Kipketer (1:41.11).

His performances this season further highlight his dominance; he clinched the Diamond League final in Eugene 2023 with a time of 1:42.80 and impressed with a 1:41.70 victory at the Kenyan Trials in Nairobi.

Wanyonyi's consistency was evident in his earlier Diamond League races, winning in Marrakesh and finishing second in Paris, making him the clear favourite in Lausanne.

Challenging Wanyonyi will be a formidable lineup, including Olympic silver medallist Marco Arop from Canada. Arop, who secured the silver medal in Paris with a personal best of 1:41.20, also won the world title in Budapest in 2023. With a strong 1:42.85 performance at the Diamond League final, Arop is well-positioned to push Wanyonyi to the limit.

Bryce Hoppel from the USA will also be a key contender. Hoppel, who finished fourth in Paris with a US record of 1:41.67, has demonstrated his competitive edge by winning the world indoor gold medal in Glasgow and the US Trials in Eugene. His strong season makes him a serious threat to the top positions.

Spanish athlete Mohamed Attaoui, who finished fifth in the Olympic final with a Spanish record of 1:42.08, will be another athlete to watch. Attaoui’s performance at the Monaco Diamond League, where he took second with a time of 1:42.04, highlights his ability to compete at the highest level.

Adding to the depth of the field is Gabriel Tual of France, who set a new French record of 1:41.61 in the Paris Diamond League and won the European gold medal in Rome. Despite finishing sixth in Paris, Tual’s impressive times and local support in Lausanne could boost his performance.

Sweden’s Andreas Kramer, a silver medallist at the world indoor championships in Glasgow and holder of a new Swedish record of 1:43.13, is also in contention. His consistent improvements this season make him a strong competitor.

Italy’s Catalin Tecuceanu, who narrowly missed Marcello Fiasconaro’s Italian record with a 1:43.75 at the Monaco Diamond League, and finished fourth at the World Indoor Championships, will add further intrigue to the race.

With a blend of established champions and emerging talents, the men’s 800 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League promises to be a thrilling encounter. Emmanuel Wanyonyi's quest to build on his Olympic success will be met with fierce competition from some of the world’s best middle-distance runners, ensuring an exhilarating race.

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