Amy Hunt, Jake Whiteman, Amber Anning, Hannah Nuttall, Megan Keith and Innes Fitzgerald are among the actors in Bislett’s games.
British athletes will be at the heart of some of the biggest stories when the Wanda Diamond League moves to Oslo’s famous Bislett Games on Wednesday (June 10), just three days after a thrilling encounter in Stockholm.
Fresh off a string of standout performances in Sweden, Britain’s leading middle-distance runners and sprinters arrive in Norway looking to regain momentum as the summer championship season gathers pace.
One of Britain’s most anticipated performances comes in the women’s 100m, where Amy Hunt returns to action, carrying the confidence of a breakthrough performance in Stockholm. The world 200m medalist finally dipped below the 11-second barrier to a lifetime 10.97, underscoring her growing status among the world’s elite sprinters.
The 24-year-old now faces another stern test from Olympic champion Julien Alfred of St Lucia, who is making his Diamond League 100m season debut after winning the over 200m in Rome. Luxembourg’s Patricia Van der Veken, who finished second behind Alfred in Stockholm, is also in the field.
Hunt’s performance in Stockholm was the highlight of his career and took him from regular international finalist to genuine medal contender ahead of a summer that includes the British and European Championships in Birmingham.
British hopes are also high in the Dream Mile, where Jake Wightman continues his comeback campaign. The former world 1500m champion joins a packed field that features world 1500m champion Isaac Nader of Portugal, Stockholm winner Jared Nugus, Australian rising star Cameron Myers, Olympic finalist Hobbs Kessler and Norway’s Narve Guille Nordas.
In the women’s distance events, Hannah Nuttall, Megan Keith and Innes Fitzgerald fly the British flag in the elite 3000m. The British trio face a formidable Ethiopian challenge led by Likina Amebau and Freweini Hailu, who have both already won the Diamond League this season.
One of Britain’s strongest hopes in Oslo comes in the women’s 400m in Amber Anning. The world indoor champion faces a field full of international talent, including home-grown favorite Henriette Jaeger of Norway, Czech world champion Lourdes Gloria Manuel, Olympic medalist Natalya Bukowiecka of Poland, world champion Nikisha Price of Jamaica and European champion Liek Claver of the Netherlands.
Anning has established herself as one of the world’s leading runners over the past 12 months and another strong performance will further strengthen her credentials ahead of the major championships.
After his brilliant season opener and win in Rabat recently, Max Burgin is out of this match. But the men’s 800m will still be interesting when teenage sensation Cooper Lutkenhaus of the USA takes on Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya.
Lutkenhaus ran a remarkable 1:42.70 in Stockholm this week, making him the fastest man in the world this year.
All eyes will also be on the men’s 400m hurdles. Norwegian superstar Karsten Warholm returns to his home match looking to avenge Alison dos Santos after two defeats to the Brazilian already this season. Warholm set a world best over 300m at Bislett last year and will enjoy strong local support as he bids to reassert himself against one of his biggest rivals.
Sprint events provide further intrigue. Australian teenager Gut Gut makes his senior Diamond League debut in the men’s 200m after his stunning under-20 world record of 19.67 earlier this year. The 18-year-old will face Olympic champion Lezile Tebogo.
In the field events, world champion Jessica Schilder seeks her third Diamond League win of the season, while Olympic champion Thea LaFond and world champion Leiannis Perez renew their rivalry in the women’s triple jump.
The match will be broadcast on the BBC for UK fans and the schedule and results may be found here.
