A duel for the win in Zurich, a three-way battle for the Swiss national record

The theme of this year’s 800m story will be the clash between world indoor champion Tsige Duguma and world outdoor champion Mary Moraa, or between the Olympic silver and bronze medallists. The two will be chased by the members of a Swiss trio that just mastered their Olympic debut in Paris, and are now on the hunt for a new national record.

Kenya’s Mary Moraa has fond memories of Weltklasse Zürich. After all, Letzigrund Stadium is the stage on which she won her first Diamond Trophy in 2022. The world champion and Olympic bronze medallist intends to repeat the feat this year. A plan that might prove hard to put into practice. Even at the young age of 23, world indoor champion and new Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma (ETH) knows how to tackle a big race. She managed to keep her opponents at bay in Glasgow this spring, including local hero Jemma Reekie. Reekie, in turn, is determined to settle the score in Zurich. And so is Moraa, who placed third in Paris. Either way, the scenario ensures a gripping showdown.  

Three Swiss Olympians

As many as three Swiss athletes, including national champion Rachel Pellaud, Valentina Rosamilia, and Audrey Werro, will try and fulfil the hopes of local fans in the prestigious race. The three may have followed very different athletics paths, and they may have experienced very different seasons so far, but their goal is the same. The all would like to improve the national record set by Selina Rutz-Büchel in 2015. Will it be Pellaud, Rosamilia, or Werro, who can snatch it from her?

Which stars will compete at Letzigrund Stadium on 5 September? All competitors confirmed for Weltklasse Zürich 2024 are listed here.