When the night slowly falls on Letzigrund Stadium, when 25 000 spectators are about to jump out of their seats as the stars enter their stage, the “magic track”, it is time for the sprint races. The performance will be brief, fast – and a magic experience. The line-ups for the 2023 edition of these Weltklasse Zürich highlights feature the world’s fastest, including the likes of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Noah Lyles, Andre De Grasse, and Letsile Tebogo.
Women’s sprint events: 100m of the year
200m world champion Shericka Jackson (JAM), Marie-Josée Ta Lou (CIV), and the 22-year-old new star Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) have all decided to run two races. In the 100m, they will be meeting Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH9 again. The two-time 400m Olympic champion is returning to the track in a much-anticipated Wanda Diamond League comeback after a brief baby break.
All eyes will be on ten-time world champion, highly successful Olympic star, and 2023 Laureus Sportswoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the 100m. Will she be able to outrun all of her opponents again? The athlete currently holding the world leading time is Jackson. In addition to her and the two other athletes running two races, the line-up includes former world champion Dina Asher-Smith (GBR), outgoing Sha’Carri Richardson (USA), and world indoor champion Mujinga Kambundji. The Swiss star will no doubt be helped by deafening cheers from her home crowd. Fraser-Pryce’s fellow countrywoman Elaine Thompson-Herah, a five-time Olympic champion and sprint icon, will be giving a mini comeback with a chance to settle the score after having failed to qualify for the world championships in the 100m.
While Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is the woman to beat in the 100m, Noah Lyles (USA) is the “measure of all things” in the men’s race. The 200m world champion, who took Usain Bolt’s Weltklasse Zürich meeting record in 2022, will be chased by Canada’s Olympic champion Andre De Grasse and 20221 Wanda Diamond League champion Kenneth Bednarek (USA), by rising star and world U20 record holder Erriyon Knighton, African record holder Letsile Tebogo, and by four-time European champion Zharnel Hughes. Can Lyles repeat his 2022 feat and break away from all of them? Time will tell. If he can, the ultimate opponent for the holder of the world leading time this year will be the clock.
800m women: Swiss stars in front of their home crowd
From the perspective of Swiss fans, the women’s 800m race will be a special treat this year: Two local heroes, Audrey Werro and Lore Hoffmann will both give it their all. European U20 champion Werro is in peak form and ready to challenge 2022 winner Mary Moraa (KEN) and others – with the help of 25 000 spectators, of course. Lore Hoffmann, who had placed fourth at last year’s European championships in Munich is determined to run a great race in front of the sell-out crowd, as well.
Additional highlights: European champion Joseph and a duel for Spitz and Petrucciani
The much-cited Weltklasse Zürich vibes might give wings to the ever-growing number of Swiss stars that have been able to evolve with the help of sustainable promotion and support. The 110m hurdles will represent a highlight in the prelude to this year’s international programme, as European indoor champion Jason Joseph will try to run a fast race and keep his opponents, including training partner Finley Gaio (SUI) and European U23 champion Sasha Zhoya (FRA), at bay.
In the 400m, the two local heroes Giulia Senn und Julia Niederberger will face German social media star and Olympic qualifier Alica Schmidt. The men’s race offers a prestigious showdown for European championship silver medallist Ricky Petrucciani, Swiss champion Lionel Spitz, European U23 champion Håvard Ingvaldsen (NOR), and Italian champion and Zurich athletics club member Davide Re.
