Diamond League: African headliners expected in London
The Wanda Diamond League stops this Saturday, July 18, at London Stadium for the 11th stage of the 2026 season. Sprint, middle distance, hurdles—Africa is fielding several of its best representatives against a lineup that boasts a combined total of 71 Olympic and World Championship medals.
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Tebogo and Ajayi take on the 100 m
In the 100 m, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo lines up as an outsider against Jamaican world champion Oblique Seville. Olympic champion over 200 m, he boasts a season’s best of 9.95 with a personal record of 9.86. Alongside him, Nigerian Kayinsola Ajayi stands out as Africa's revelation of the year. Double NCAA champion, he clocked 9.84 this season—the best mark among Africans entered in London. South African Gift Leotlela completes the continental presence with a season's best of 9.97 and a personal record of 9.87.
Ndori competing in the 400 m
Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori flies the African flag in the 400 m. His season’s best stands at 44.62, with a personal record of 44.10.
Nathaniel up against Warholm in the 400 m hurdles
Nigerian Ezekiel Nathaniel takes on world record holder Karsten Warholm in the 400 m hurdles. His best performance of the season is 47.37, with a personal record of 47.11.
Wanyonyi, the continent's leading name in the 800 m
Defending Olympic champion, Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi arrives in London eight days after breaking the 1000 m world record in Monaco, clocking 2:11.83. In the 800 m, he holds a season’s best of 1:42.09 and a personal record of 1:41.11. He renews rivalries with Canadian Marco Arop and Briton Max Burgin, his main opponents this season.
On the women's side, Ethiopian Tsige Duguma represents Africa over the same distance. Olympic silver medalist, she faces Britain's Keely Hodgkinson with a season’s best of 1:57.24 and a personal record of 1:56.64.
https://x.com/worldathletics/status/2075653110064882125?s=46
An Ethiopian battalion in the 3000 m
The women's 3000 m brings together the meeting’s largest African contingent, led by Ethiopia. Medina Eisa (personal record 8:23.08), Hirut Meshesha (season’s best 8:36.32, personal record 8:22.72), Hawi Abera (personal record 8:27.18), Marta Alemayo (personal record 8:32.20), and Fantaye Belayneh (personal record 8:34.30) fly the Ethiopian colors. Kenyan Margaret Akidor rounds out the contingent with a personal record of 8:29.88.
The absence of Omanyala
Unlike his appearances in Xiamen, Rome, and Paris earlier in the season, Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala does not feature on the start list for the 100 m in London. No African athlete, moreover, is entered in the jumps or throws scheduled for Saturday, nor in the 200 m and 110 m hurdles.