For the 2018 edition, the Herculis EBS meeting, much to the delight of athletics and sports enthusiasts, will see the Louis II Stadium in Monaco host five women’s events and six men’s events from the Diamond League, alongside two additional competitions: a men’s 800m and a women’s 100m hurdles.
The women’s events:
For a high-flying competition, the pole vault will feature the presence of World and Olympic Champion Ekaterini STEFANIDI, the indoor World Champion Sandi MORRIS, New Zealander Eliza MCCARTNEY, former Olympic Champion Jennifer SUHR, and Ninon GUILLON-ROMARIN, holder of the French record and National Champion.
The 400m is a highly anticipated race. World medalist Salwa Eid NASER will face off against the world leader, Shaunae MILLER-UIBO. World Champion Phyllis FRANCIS and Shakima WIMBLEY will also be in attendance.
The 100m hurdles will not disappoint: former Olympic Champion Dawn HARPER-NELSON will face young Yanique THOMPSON and the 400m hurdles World Champion, Kori CARTER.
The 3000m steeplechase promises to be very intense, as the world’s best will be neck and neck in this fast-approaching race. It will feature World Champion Emma COBURN, world leader Beatrice CHEPKOECH, junior record holder Celliphine CHESPOL, Oslo winner Hyvin KIYENG, and many more. The goal for this race? To break the symbolic nine-minute mark.
In the 100m, world leader Marie-Josée TA LOU will challenge Olympic Champion in the 100m and 200m, Elaine THOMPSON, and 200m World Champion, Dafne SCHIPPERS.
In an exceptional 800m, Caster SEMENYA will aim to improve her personal best and Diamond League record, achieved in Paris. Note that she is less than a second away from the world record, which stands at 1’53”28. Paced by a rabbit, the South African will be chased by Olympic and world medalists Francine NIYONSABA and Margaret Nyairera WAMBUI, as well as French Champion Renelle LAMOTE.
The men’s events:
In the Triple Jump, Olympic and World Champion Christian TAYLOR will face challenger Pedro PICHARDO in a high-quality competition, as both athletes have jumped over 18m. Alongside them will be Frenchmen Harold CORREA and Jean-Marc PONTVIANNE, respectively French Champions in 2018 and 2017.
The high jump will bring together indoor World Champion Danil LYSENKO and World Championship bronze medalist, Syrian Majd Eddin GHAZAL. Gianmarco TAMBERI, holder of the Stadium and Italian record, will also be present. The 2016 icon will count on the support of his Italian fans for his grand return to Monaco. Unfortunately, Mutaz BARSHIM will not participate due to an ankle injury.
On the starting line of the 800m, World Champion Pierre-Ambroise BOSSE, world best performer of the year Michael SARUNI, current world leader Nijel AMOS, and European leader Saúl ORDÓÑEZ will be present.
For the 1500m, all the best performers in the discipline will gather at Louis II. World Champion Elijah MANANGOI, Olympic Champion Matthew CENTROWITZ, world leader Timothy CHERUIYOT, and many others will aim to run under 3’28. Stay tuned for more…
Pascal MARTINOT-LAGARDE, who set the French record for the 110m hurdles in Monaco in 2014, will return to the Louis II track for a thrilling race. He will be alongside world leader Sergey SHUBENKOV. World record holder Aries MERRITT and Olympic silver medalist Orlando ORTEGA will also compete. Kevin MAYER will measure himself against the world elite for the first time in this discipline.
The men’s 200m will feature a showdown between World Champion Ramil GULIYEV and current sensation Noah LYLES. A duel not to be missed.
Finally, in the 3000m steeplechase, Conseslus KIPRUTO is ready to run very fast in Monaco. The Kenyan aims to break the 8-minute barrier alongside Soufiane El Bakki and Evan Jager, his runners-up from London and Rio.
