Stars Shine in Paris as Season Enters Second Half

The Diamond League season is in full swing, with top athletes from around the world competing in a bid to qualify for the finals in Zurich in August. Last week’s action in Stockholm saw Georgia Hunter-Bell win the women’s 800m, and she will be looking to add to her tally at this week’s Paris Diamond League. Hunter-Bell’s victory in Stockholm was a spectacular one, as she took the win in a personal best time, and she will be looking to replicate that form in Paris.

Hunter-Bell, who won Olympic bronze in the 1500m on her debut at Paris 2024, will be competing over the same distance in Paris. She will face stiff competition from Jemma Reekie, who has been in excellent form this season, and Sarah Healy, who will be looking to make a statement on the world stage. The men’s 1500m will also be a highlight of the evening, with George Mills, who recently broke Sir Mo Farah’s long-standing British 5,000m record, taking on the best in the field.

Other notable athletes competing in Paris include World indoor 400m champion Amber Anning, who will be testing herself against Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino, and former world champion Dina Asher-Smith, who will be competing in the 200m alongside Amy Hunt. Asher-Smith has been in excellent form this season, and will be looking to add to her tally of wins.

The Diamond League season has already seen some exciting action, with Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m champion, returning from a hamstring injury to compete in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 5. Hodgkinson will be facing off against main rivals Mary Moraa and Athing Mu in a bid to secure her spot in the finals. Hodgkinson’s return to competition has been eagerly anticipated, and she will be looking to make a statement on the world stage.

The Diamond League has increased its prize money to the highest level in its history, with a total prize pot of $9.24m (£6.95m) on offer across the series. The competition will be broadcast on the BBC, which has agreed a deal to show all Diamond League events for the next five years. This is a significant boost for the competition, and will provide athletes with a major platform to showcase their talents.

The Diamond League final will be held in Zurich for the first time since 2022, and athletes will compete for points at the 14 regular series meetings, which started in April and run through to August. The top six ranked athletes in the field events, the top eight in track events from 100m up to 800m, and the top 10 in the distances from 1500m upwards will qualify for the final. The competition is heating up, and athletes will be looking to secure their spots in the finals.

The Diamond League calendar for 2025 is packed with exciting events, including stops in Eugene, Monaco, and London, before the series concludes in Zurich. With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, just around the corner, the competition is reaching a fever pitch, and athletes will be looking to peak at the right time.