The Stade Louis-II is primed for fireworks on Friday, July 11 as the Herculis EBS 2025 meet welcomes a glittering line-up of athletic royalty. No fewer than seven Olympic champions are confirmed to compete in what promises to be one of the most electrifying nights on the global track and field calendar.
Fresh off their triumphs at the Paris Olympics, five newly crowned champions will descend on Monaco for a showcase of speed, strength, and spectacle. Among them is Julien Alfred, the St. Lucian sprint sensation and reigning Olympic 100m champion. Alfred returns to the Principality looking to better her winning time from last year — and perhaps even topple the meeting record of 10.72 set by Marion Jones in 1998. Her blistering 10.75 in Stockholm earlier this season suggests she’s more than ready.
Also bringing heat to the track is Marileidy Paulino, the Dominican powerhouse who has dominated the 400m both at the Olympics and World Championships. Clocking 49.12 this season, she currently sits second in the world rankings and recently added the Dominican national 200m record to her list of accolades. Monaco could well be the stage for another masterclass.
Over in the shot put circle, Germany’s Yemisi Ogunleye returns to action after clinching Olympic gold and a silver at the European Indoor Championships. With the World Championships looming just two months away, she’ll be keen to reassert her dominance.
The men’s line-up is equally stacked. American hurdler Grant Holloway, a two-time Herculis winner, will be back on familiar ground in the 110m hurdles. After a patchy start to the season, Monaco presents the perfect opportunity for the reigning Olympic champ to reestablish himself as the man to beat.
Meanwhile, the men’s 800m promises fireworks with Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, fresh off a 1:41.95 win in Stockholm. Eyes will be on the meeting record of 1:41.46 — a target that looks increasingly within reach for the young phenom.
They join two established Herculis favourites: pole vault demigod Armand Duplantis, who just extended his own world record to 6.28m, and Hamish Kerr, the reigning Olympic champion in the high jump. With this kind of pedigree on display, fans can expect a night that will go well beyond just medals — this is about making history.
And for those unable to grab a seat in the Stade Louis-II, there’s good news: the meet will be broadcast live on the L’Équipe channel (TNT channel 21), bringing Monaco’s midsummer athletic magic straight to your screen.
