The Swedish capital was awash in world-class athletic excellence as the seventh stop of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League delivered a breathtaking display of elite competition, national pride, and record-breaking brilliance.
From soaring pole vaults to sprinting supremacy, the Stockholm Olympic Stadium bore witness to a constellation of stars at the peak of their powers — none brighter than Caribbean standouts Julien Alfred of St Lucia and Ackera Nugent of Jamaica.
Julien Alfred blazes to world No. 2 time in women’s 100m
Returning to the track just three days after her 10.89-second triumph in Oslo, Olympic champion Julien Alfred soared to new heights in Stockholm, clocking a world No. 2 time and meet record 10.75 seconds to obliterate a loaded 100m field.
“After Oslo, I had to have a long chat with my coach,” Alfred revealed. “He reassured me that I’m in great shape because I was doubting myself. I am happy with how the race went.”
The 22-year-old looked in total command from the start and eased down before the line. Her training partner, Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, followed in a season-best 10.93 seconds, with Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d’Ivoire third, equaling her season’s best of 11.00 seconds.
Ackera Nugent shines in hurdles thriller
In a thrilling women’s 100m hurdles final, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent stormed to a near-personal best 12.37 seconds, finishing second behind American Grace Stark, who won in a lifetime best and meet record 12.33 seconds. Dutch veteran Nadine Visser was third in 12.49 seconds, with The Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton fourth.
“Everything went smoothly after I was initially shaken a little from the callback,” Nugent shared. “That was actually my best start. I’m enjoying the season so far and looking forward to Paris and Tokyo.”
It marked Nugent’s best finish for Jamaica on the day and affirmed her growing status among the world’s elite hurdlers.
Femke Bol proves unstoppable in 400m hurdles
Dutch phenomenon Femke Bol once again asserted her dominance in the women’s 400m hurdles, powering away from Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad to clock a meet record and world No. 2 time of 52.11 seconds. Muhammad finished second in 52.91 seconds, with Gianna Woodruff of Panama claiming third.
Bol’s fluid hurdling and top-end speed in the home stretch left no doubt about her status as a title favorite heading into Paris.
Rai Benjamin strikes back in men’s 400m hurdles
Just days after being beaten by Karsten Warholm in Oslo, Rai Benjamin returned with fury, delivering a world-leading and meet record 46.54 seconds to take victory in a loaded 400m hurdles showdown. Alison dos Santos of Brazil was second in a season’s best 46.68 seconds, while Warholm, the Olympic and World Champion, faded to third in 47.41 seconds.
“I wanted to stay composed and run my race. It paid off today,” said Benjamin.
Pole vault history as Duplantis soars again
Sweden’s beloved Mondo Duplantis brought the house down with another unforgettable pole vault performance, clearing 6.28 meters to break his own world record for the 12th time — and for the first time on home soil.
The stadium erupted as Duplantis vaulted into immortality once more, continuing to redefine the limits of human flight.
800m showdown stuns with world lead
The men’s 800m produced one of the night’s most jaw-dropping races. Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, just 20 years old, tore through the two-lap race in a world-leading 1:41.95 minutes, narrowly ahead of Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati (1:42.27) and American Josh Hoey (1:42.43 PB). It was the fastest 800m race in recent memory.
Mena breaks through in men’s 200m
Cuba’s Reynier Mena stormed to victory in the men’s 200m in a season-best 20.05 seconds, finishing ahead of Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh (20.32) and American Kyree King (20.49).
“I’m getting faster every race and hope to dip under 20 seconds soon,” said Mena. “Ostrava is next.”
Additional Caribbean highlights
- In the women’s long jump, Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall of the USA leapt 7.05m to equal the meet record. Jamaica’s Ackelia Smith placed ninth with a 6.76m effort.
- Jamaica’s Roje Stona finished sixth in the men’s discus at 64.68m.
- Barbados’ Sada Williams equaled her season’s best in the women’s 400m with 50.94 seconds for seventh place. American Isabella Whittaker won the race in 49.78 seconds, ahead of Henriette Jæger of Norway and Amber Anning of Great Britain.
