Two weeks before the World Championships in London, the Herculis meeting is the final event with a highly enticing lineup. It will be especially marked by the penultimate appearance of the legendary Bolt, who will retire from competition on August 13th. A great gift for the 30th anniversary edition.
One hundred meters. Just under ten seconds. And “the King,” Usain Bolt, will bid farewell to the Monaco audience. The Herculis meeting will be his last before a final showdown in London, where he aims to secure his 12th and 13th world titles in the 100m and 4x100m (he has set aside the 200m this year). For its thirtieth edition, the Monaco meeting has secured a guest of honor, amidst a particularly rich program.
Van Niekerk alongside Bolt… on the poster
The Jamaican will not be the only star of this last Diamond League meeting before the World Championships. On the 400m track, South African Wayde Van Niekerk, Olympic champion and world record holder, will indeed be present. Fifteen days after an astounding 43’’63, Van Niekerk will attempt to confirm his excellent current form and perhaps come close to his world record (43’’03, in Rio).
A highly anticipated pole vault competition
As often on the French Riviera, the pole vault competition will be closely watched by the audience. And they have good reason! At the end of the track, we will find Renaud Lavillenie, who is finally regaining form (5.87m in Lausanne), Thiago Braz, the Olympic champion struggling with confidence and high bars (only 5.60m this year). To challenge these two stars, the Dutchman Menno Vloon could cause surprises. We should also be wary of Shawn Barber (personal best of 5.93m) and Raphael Holdzeppe (personal best of 5.94m).
Second world record attempt for Lasitskene?
A year after a high-quality men’s competition, it’s the women’s turn. The year 2017 is already marked by Mariya Lasitskene, competing with a neutral bib (Russia is still suspended for organized doping). The young athlete is in great form, as evidenced by her 2.06m in the Swiss track at Lausanne. She even attempted three times to seize the world record (2.09m, Kostadinova in August 1987).
Among the French athletes
On the French side, in the absence of Lemaitre (out of form) and Vicaut (recovering), we will follow Pierre-Ambroise Bosse in the 800m, who has yet to meet the qualifying standards for London. Monaco is his last attempt. In the 3000m steeplechase, Bob Tahri is still competing, not to mention the triple jumpers Assani-Issouf and Diallo.
