Monaco’s waterfront will turn into a stage for world-class athletics this summer as Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim prepares to host an elite high jump competition in the Principality on Wednesday, August 5.
The event, set to take place on the Quai Albert Ier, will gather many of the sport’s leading names just days before the European Championships begin in Birmingham. Organised in partnership with the Monegasque Athletics Federation, the free-to-attend competition aims to bring high-level track and field action directly to the public in an open-air setting.
Barshim, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist, personally championed the idea of bringing the event to Monaco. Earlier this month, the initiative received official backing from Prince Albert II, marking a significant step in expanding the Qatari athlete’s growing international high jump circuit.
The Monaco Athletics Festival forms part of Barshim’s broader “What Gravity” concept, first launched in Doha in 2024. Inspired by his signature, seemingly effortless technique, the project is designed to spotlight the high jump through standalone events staged in iconic locations around the world.
For Barshim, Monaco was an obvious choice. He describes the Principality as a symbol of sporting excellence and prestige, making it an ideal setting for a competition that seeks to elevate the profile of the discipline. His ambition is clear: to create a global platform dedicated entirely to the high jump, while bringing the sport closer to fans and offering athletes unique venues in which to compete.
With the Mediterranean as its backdrop and some of the world’s best jumpers expected to line up, the August 5 showcase promises to be one of the summer’s standout sporting moments in Monaco.