Mondo Duplantis:
The Swedish wonderkid took the pole vault gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Still only aged 21, the current world record holder cleared six metres in Brussels last year and is aiming for a new world record on Friday.
Sifan Hassan:
The Dutch distance running phenom took three medals in Tokyo and is hungry for more. In Brussels she will tackle the mile, a distance she holds the world record on.
Mariya Lasitskene:
The triple high jump champion 'finally' managed to get an Olympic gold as well in Tokyo. Fifth on the all-time high jump ranking, she is a three-time winner in Brussels and is aiming to go for four wins in a tough field.
Fred Kerley:
The American sprint ace decided to focus on the shorter distances 2021, a choice which paid off. With a silver medal in Tokyo and two fast times in the 100m and 200m, Kerley is on his way to become one of the greatest sprinters of his generation.
Nafi Thiam:
Queen Nafi took a second consecutive Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in the heptathlon. On home soil the Belgian goddess of athletics is taking on the world's greatest athletes in the high jump competition.
Sha’Carri Richardson:
This Texan bundle of sprinting power is ready to conquer the world. On the 100m she is the sixth-fastest woman of all time, in Brussels she is dreaming of a 200m time below 22 seconds.
Christine Mboma:
Mboma is still a junior, but already has an Olympic silver medal and searing 200m times on her resume. With a good turn, the Namibian could be on record course at the King Baudouin Stadium.
Francine Niyonsaba:
The former 800m star completely re-focused on longer distance running. After a sensational 3,000m in Paris she is aiming to star in the 5,000 metres in Brussels, taking on established names such as Hellen Obiri.
Kirani James:
The Grenadian added a Tokyo bronze medal to complete his Olympic 400m medal collection. Aged 29, James is still one of the best 400m runners in the world and the ideal opponent to push the Belgian athletes to a fast time.
Ernest Obiena:
Obiena is the first ever athlete from the Philippines at the Memorial. The current Asian pole vault champion and a finalist in Tokyo, Obiena cleared 5m91 in Paris and is aiming for the magical boundary of six metres.
