A collector of all titles vs. two masters of many athletics trades
Letzigrund Stadium will once again be packed one day after the show at Zurich Main Station, and the famous Zurich crowd will be able to cheer many new Olympic medallists and overall illustrious line-ups. Miltiadis Tentoglou, for instance, is one of just eight Olympians in athletics who were able to defend their individual titles of Tokyo in Paris. At Weltklasse Zürich, the nearly invincible long jumper will clash with all three athletes who shared the podium with him in the Olympics and the European championships – and with two Olympic decathletes.
Without any doubt, Tentoglou is made for major championships. His famous final attempts are widely feared. The Greek athlete currently holds (almost) all titles he possibly could. He is a reigning Olympic, world, world indoor, European, and European indoor champion. The only feat the title collector could not repeat after 2022 was claiming a Wanda Diamond League crown. Las year, Simon Ehammer was the one to triumph at the final of the most prestigious international meeting series. In 2022, the Appenzell-born athlete had been the first decathlete to win a world championship medal in his favourite individual event. One year later, he grabbed the prestigious Diamond Trophy in the same city.
Ehammer out for revenge after 4th place at the Olympics as well
His fourth place in Paris this year was unrewarding and historic at the same time. Just like Angelica Moser, he will try and settle the score and challenge the athletes of the 2024 Olympic long jump podium. Both silver medallist Wayne Pinnock (JAM) and Italian long jump talent Mattia Furlani will compete at Weltklasse Zürich. In addition, former world champion Tajay Gayle has confirmed his appearance.
An invitation that could be considered a coup: Olympic champions Rooth to compete in Zurich
While Ehammer had to make do with fourth place, 22-year-old Markus Rooth (NOR) became the youngest Olympic decathlon king since 1980. At Weltklasse Zürich, he will be holding a summit with the Switzerland’s local hero and indoor world champion at the long jump pit. The newly famous Norwegian star is now in high demand, and it will be his first Wanda Diamond League competition in an individual event. Inviting him represents a real coup for Co-Meeting Director Andreas Hediger.
How will 8-metre jumper Rooth fare in a line-up of long jump specialists? And can decathlon individual event world record holder Ehammer (8.45m) use the support of his home crowd to land a first win at the stadium in which he once launched his athletics career in the UBS Kids Cup? Or will world leader Tentoglou (8.65m) prevail for the third time in a row? There is not much room for clever tactics: As always in Wanda Diamond League competitions, only the three top athletes after five attempts will get another go in the so-called “final three”.
Which stars will compete at Letzigrund Stadium on 5 September? All competitors confirmed for Weltklasse Zürich 2024 are listed here.
