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Don't Miss These Highlights on Opening Night!
The 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme is also the Wanda Diamond League Final. That means two evenings of world-class athletics, on Friday and Saturday, at the King Baudouin Stadium. Here are the highlights you won't want to miss on opening night...
Carl Lewis, Mike Boit and Dwight Stones in Hall of Fame
The annual gala dinner at Brussels Town Hall on the eve of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme honoured the athletes being inducted into the Memorial’s Hall of Fame this year: Carl Lewis, Dwight Stones and Mike Boit.
Duplantis: "I’ll need at least a meeting record to win on Friday"
Mondo Duplantis is, of course, the hot favourite to be crowned Wanda Diamond League Champion in the pole vault for the sixth year running at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday. “But with Manolo Karalis in top form, it’ll be tougher than ever this year,” the Swede concedes.
Broeders-Bol: "This feels like a home run"
In her first season competing in the 800 metres, Femke Broeders-Bol has already reached the final of the Wanda Diamond League. Much sooner than she herself had expected, she has already reached the world top in her new discipline. And what’s more, she gets to run ‘at home’ on Saturday evening…
Russell: "I want to become a legend in this sport"
Masai Russell will compete at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Saturday evening as the brand-new world record holder in the Wanda Diamond League 100-metre hurdles final. But she values titles even more than top times. Lots of titles, as many as possible. “I want to become a legend in this sport,” says the 26-year-old American resolutely.
Tharp: "I’ve watched the video of Merritt’s world record countless times"
In 2012, Aries Merritt ran a world record time in the 110-metre hurdles at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, a record that would stand for 14 years. Until Ja’Kobe Tharp broke it in Eugene this June. “Oh yes, I know very well that that world record was set here in Brussels,” laughs Tharp. “I’ve watched that video countless times.”
Karalis: "I could break the world record and still finish second"
Emmanouil 'Manolo' Karalis is brimming with confidence after clearing 6.20 metres in Zurich last week. The 26-year-old Greek pole vaulter is hot on the heels of Mondo Duplantis. “But even if I were to break the world record, I could still finish second."
Kebinatshipi: "From the football pitch to the athletics track"
Busang Collen Kebinatshipi is dominating the 400 metres in this season’s Wanda Diamond League. The 22-year-old World Champion from Botswana has won all five races he has competed in. That bodes well for Friday’s final in Brussels! And to think that Kebinatshipi has only been involved in athletics for five years…
Alfred: "My only goal is to win"
Julien Alfred will start as the hot favourite on Friday in the Wanda Diamond League 200-metre final at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme. The 25-year-old top sprinter from Saint Lucia clocked the third-fastest time of all time this year, but she is not focused on the world or meeting record. “The only thing that counts on Friday is to be the first across the finish line.”
Verherstraeten: "PR is the goal, BR or World Championships qualifying time would be a nice bonus"
Simon Verherstraeten is hoping to run a fast time on Friday in the 100-metre final at the Diamond League’s Allianz Memorial Van Damme. That would mean a time under 10.06. A time faster than 10.02 would make him the new Belgian record holder.