Track and field elite gear up for 2024 Allianz Memorial Van Damme Diamond League Finals
Olympic champions Mondo Duplantis, Femke Bol, and Letsile Tebogo sat down for a few comments in preparation for the 2024 Diamond League finals.
Athletics
The rainy skies above Brussels set a dramatic stage for the 2024 Diamond League finals from 13-14 September.
Over 70,000 fans are ready to witness a grand season finale at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme, where the world's best track and field athletes will push for one last moment of brilliance, all looking to end the season with a diamond trophy in their hands.
With more 80 Olympic medals poised for action, all eyes are on Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, Femke Bol, and Letsile Tebogo , who shared their thoughts in a press conference ahead of the two-day event.
Mondo Duplantis: A 'ridiculous' season with one more goal
For Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis, it has been a “ridiculous season”—his words, and who could argue?
After shattering the pole vault world record three times, securing his second Olympic gold, and, most importantly (to him) defeating Karsten Warholm in a surprise 100m showdown, the Swedish superstar isn’t slowing down. Instead, he’s looking ahead, or up rather, to what’s next.
“I feel like I’m ready to go again. I always want to do my best, no matter what, every time I’m on the track. I’ve had a ridiculous season so far, but whenever there’s another competition, it feels like there’s still something left to do.”
With three Diamond League titles already under his belt, Duplantis is eager to make it a fourth. “It’s really special. You always want to end the year on a high note, and I think that kind of motivation keeps you going. My goal is to picture myself holding that trophy once again.”
And who knows, perhaps a fourth world record of the year is also around the corner.
Femke Bol: Looking to finish the season with a winning streak
Dutch sprinter Femke Bol has had a whirlwind season herself. From her stunning 400m hurdles performances to helping her nation shine in the relays at Paris 2024, the Olympic champion enters the Diamond League finals ready to shine in front of a semi-home crowd.
“A lot of amazing things have happened, not just for me but also for my country in the relays, which I’m really proud of,” Bol shared with a smile. “It’s been great, and I hope to finish strong here in Brussels, close to home.”
For Bol, these finals mark the end of a long and successful year, having won all of the Diamond League events she entered this year. “You work towards this moment with every meet, and this is where you can finish it on a high note, just like you’ve done all season.”
Can she carry her winning streak until the end?
Letsile Tebogo: 'Two Africans against the rest of the world'
On the heels of a historic season, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo is also eager to secure one last title, a first for him in the Diamond League finals.
Aside from becoming the first African to win the Olympic 200m title, running an astonishing 19.46 seconds, he has won the diamond league events in Monaco, Lausanne, Silesia, Rome, and Zurich, the latest in 19.55 seconds in similar rainy and chilly conditions.
Now, he’s chasing one more victory and possibly the stadium record at King Baudouin Stadium.
“Looking at what I did in Zurich, no one thought 19.5 was possible in those conditions. The stadium record here is definitely within reach, but I won’t put pressure on myself. If it comes, it comes. " He added, "For me, this has been one of the greatest seasons. And to end it with a gold medal and a Diamond League trophy would mean everything to me.”
Tebogo is excited to compete alongside Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh and a trio of Americans, including Fred Kerley, Erriyon Knighton, and Kenny Bednarek.
“It’s two Africans against the rest of the world, and I believe it’s going to be a great race.”
Friendly rivalries
The athletes wrapped up the press conference with lighthearted banter as questions about the 100m exhibition race between Duplantis and Warholm resurfaced. When asked who they’d like to face off against in the future, the answers sparked excitement.
Bol grinned, revealing she’d love to race Keely Hodgkinson over 600m, while Tebogo, always up for a challenge, threw down the gauntlet to Zharnel Hughes and Fred Kerley over 300m. As for Duplantis? He looked directly at his neighbor: “I’d like to race Femke over 400m.”