The 39th edition of the Herculis Diamond League meeting on July the 11th lit up Monaco’s Stade Louis II with a night of elite athletics, emotional tributes, and record-breaking performances…
Nearly 16,000 spectators filled the stands for what was also the final edition under long-time director Jean-Pierre Schoebel. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II was in attendance, paying a heartfelt tribute to Schoebel’s legacy and his pivotal role in building Herculis into one of the world’s top athletics meetings.
The evening began in spectacular fashion with Dutch Olympic champion Femke Bol dominating the 400 meters in a world-leading time of 51.95 seconds; a new meet record. Middle-distance events saw Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi set a blistering pace in the men’s 800 metres, clinching another meeting record in a race stacked with the world’s best. In the women’s 1000 metres , Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir continued her unbeaten season, clocking 2 minues and 29.77 seconds; the fourth-fastest time in history.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha delivered a commanding win in the 5000 meters, while France’s Jimmy Gressier thrilled local fans with a surprise second-place finish, marking his first-ever Diamond League podium. “It’s an honour to podium in Monaco,” he said. “The best atmosphere in the world.”
Sprint events lived up to expectations. Julien Alfred won the women’s 100 metres in 10.79 seconds, while the men’s 200 meters saw Olympic stars Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo battle it out in a thrilling duel. Lyles edged the victory with both athletes breaking the 20-second barrier. Monaco’s own Théo Andant, more familiar with the 400 metres, took on the 200 metres, setting a new personal best and soaking up the crowd’s support.
Local pride was further boosted by the participation of Jean-Noël Crétinoir in the men’s triple jump and a strong performance in the under 23s category; making it a record three athletes from Monaco featured in the main program.
The evening concluded with Swedish pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis setting a new meet record at 6.05 metres. Though he narrowly missed breaking his world record due to challenging wind conditions, the crowd roared in support. As Frédéric Chopard prepares to take over leadership from Schoebel in 2026, the legacy of excellence and community spirit remains firmly intact. Herculis continues to be a shining example of Monaco’s deep commitment to sport, performance, and passion.
Image: diamonleague.com
