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Top athletes return to the track at the Prefontaine Classic for key showdowns ahead of the World Championships.
The 2025 edition of the Prefontaine Classic comes up having attracted Olympic and Paralympic medallists, and 14 world record holders.
The event will be entering its 50th edition and will see the stars battling for top honours on Saturday, July 5.
A series of athletes had taken breaks from the international races, and the Prefontaine Classic will present an opportunity for them to gauge their form as preparations gather pace for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
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17:34 - 02.07.2025
Donovan Bailey: The queen of track and field is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, 100%
Donovan Bailey has praised Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's continued excellence, calling her the queen of track and field and a role model for future athletes.
In this article, Pulse Sports Kenya looks at the five things to look out for as the athletes descend on the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Prefontaine Classic: Kenny Bednarek and Letsile Tebogo resume rivalry
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At the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels, Kenny Bednarek stunned Letsile Tebogo to claim the trophy, something that shocked track and field fans and experts.
Letsile Tebogo was in great shape throughout the season, winning the Olympic title at the Paris Olympic Games and maintaining a winning streak in the Diamond League Meetings, but was forced to finish second behind Bednarek in the final.
The two men now resume their rivalry in Eugene in a world-class 200m line-up, having had great outings since the start of the season.
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10:41 - 28.06.2025
Kishane Thompson: Why Jamaican Sprinter is Unimpressed Despite Clocking Fastest Time Since 2015
Despite becoming the sixth-fastest man in the world, Kishane Thompson believes he has more to give.
Kenny Bednarek has been in great form and unbeaten in the 200m, and there is no doubt that he will be out to continue the hot streak. On his part, Letsile Tebogo was forced to take a break and focus on recovery after a slight injury at the Diamond League Meeting in Rabat.
Letsile Tebogo and Kenny Bednarek will also be up against Joseph Fahnbulleh, Jereem Richards and Alexander Ogando.
Prefontaine Classic: Julien Alfred and Sha’Carri Richardson clash in 100m
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Julien Alfred is undoubtedly the favourite to win the women’s 100m at the Prefontaine Classic following her impressive run so far this season, which has seen her go unbeaten.
The reigning Olympic champion claimed back-to-back wins at the Diamond League Meetings in Oslo and Stockholm and will be looking to extend her winning streak to the US.
She faces a stern test from Sha’Carri Richardson, who will be targeting her first win of the season. Sha’Carri Richardson started her season at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix but could only finish fourth in the women’s 100m.
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11:48 - 28.06.2025
'She Showed That I Should Have Stayed Longer' – Usain Bolt Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Usain Bolt paid a touching tribute to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, admitting her enduring greatness made him feel he retired too soon.
Another one to watch is Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who has had a superb season thus far, and she hopes to build on that to make a mark on home soil.
Prefontaine Classic: Athletics Kenya National Trials
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Beatrice Chebet headlines the women’s field for the 5000m at the Prefontaine Classic, and all eyes will be on her to deliver and hopefully seal her ticket to the World Championships.
She broke the 10,000m world record in Eugene last year and returns to Hayward Field in dominant form, having clocked 5000m meeting records at the Diamond League Meetings in Xiamen and Rome and a 3000m Diamond League record in Rabat.
The men’s 10,000m field is also stacked, having attracted Nicholas Kimeli and Stanley Waithaka, who will be looking to prove a point and make the cut to the World Championships.
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19:39 - 01.07.2025
'We Shall See' - Beatrice Chebet Fires World Record Warning to Gudaf Tsegay Ahead of Titanic Battle at Prefontain Classic
Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet is set to renew her rivalry with Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay at Prefontain Classic and she has sent a strong message.
Ishmael Kipkurui, Richard Etir, Edwin Kurgat and Robert Koech are also among the distance stars who have been confirmed for the event.
Prefontaine Classic: Alison Dos Santos challenges Rai Benjamin
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Last month saw two clashes between the three fastest men in history, as Olympic champion Rai Benjamin, world record holder Karsten Warholm and Diamond League champion Alison Dos Santos descended on the track at the Diamond League Meetings in Oslo and Stockholm.
Rai Benjamin and Alison Dos Santos now clash again at the Prefontaine Classic, looking to impress fans on their third direct duel in a matter of weeks.
Rai Benjamin won the Diamond Trophy at Hayward Field back in 2023 and is undoubtedly a favourite to impress following his victory in Stockholm.
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10:59 - 29.06.2025
Tyreek Hill Outpaces Lyles in 100-Meter Sprint
Tyreek Hill bested Josephus Lyles, brother to Olympic champion Noah Lyles as potential showdown still looms large.
However, Brazilian star Dos Santos will not give him an easy time as he looks to claim his first victory in his title defence in Eugene.
Prefontaine Classic: Kishane Thompson vs Bayanda Walaza, Christian Coleman and Trayvon Bromell
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The men’s 100m is perhaps the most interesting, featuring a stunning lineup of some of the fastest men in the world so far this season.
Kishane Thompson set the world lead last weekend, competing at the Jamaican Championships, and he will be out to continue the hot streak at the Prefontaine Classic.
Kishane Thompson clocked a stunning 9.75 seconds, the fastest time since 2015, and he has all the confidence heading into the race.
Bayanda Walaza makes his diamond league debut, and all eyes will be on him to attain a podium finish, thanks to his impressive form that has seen him become the talk of the town.
Christian Coleman will be seeking redemption after struggling in the better part of the first half of the season, failing to claim victory in the 100m since the season started. His worrying form has gotten people talking, and he has a chance to bounce back to winning ways on Saturday.
Trayvon Bromell is slowly catching up after missing out on the better part of the 2024 season due to an injury. He started his season indoors, and his most recent victory was at the Diamond League Meeting in Rome, where he clocked 9.84 seconds.
A clash against Kishane Thompson will be one for the books and there is no doubt that a fast time will be dropped.
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