Global stars primed to sparkle in Stockholm spectacular 

A quartet of the world’s finest track and field stars spoke at the second athlete press conference held on the eve of the seventh event of the Diamond League series, set to be staged at Stockholm’s Olympic stadium on Sunday. 

The pole vault world record holder, Olympic and double World Champion, Mondo Duplantis needs very little introduction especially in his home city of Stockholm.  He always enjoys vaulting here and, if conditions favour him, may be tempted to challenge his own world record of 6.24m from the inaugural Diamond League in Xiamen in April.  

He agreed that a world record attempt could be on the cards: 

“When I came into the outdoor season, I knew I was in good shape. I thought I could do more in indoors but that gave me the motivation to work hard between the indoors and the first Diamond League meeting in China.

"I knew the world record could happen but it relies on many factors coming together so you never know going into the event.

"This stadium in Stockholm may have had the most world records of any stadium but none since 1997 so that is far too long.  I am in good shape and, for me, this is like a home championships. I  put extra pressure on myself - but in a good way - to perform well in front of my home fans so I am definitely ready to jump as high as I can tomorrow." 

Making her outdoor debut in the 400m hurdles here after her world indoor record in the flat 400m at the World Championships in Glasgow, with be the Dutch star, Femke Bol. 

The world champion from Budapest will be looking to make an impact with her European Championships crown to defend in Rome later this month.

She said, "I have been training so much since the indoors season ended that I am really ready to start racing now.  

"I will be racing in just hurdles and relays this summer because of the two major championships [Rome and Paris Olympics].

"Tomorrow it will be all about seeing how my stride pattern is going - I don’t run that pattern in training so it is important to see how things are progressing and do so in race conditions.  For tomorrow it is just about getting the race done well rather than times as there is a long summer ahead so I am not focussing on times yet.  These will follow during the championships but, for now, I want to race well and get the technique and stride pattern right.” 

Fresh from his world record-breaking 74.35m mammoth throw in April, Mykolas Alekna is primed to put on another spectacular show in Stockholm:

“It sounds amazing to be the world record holder, it’s really hard to believe and makes me really happy,” the 21-year-old Lithuanian revealed. 

“I’ve definitely improved my confidence this year and having the chance to compete more against the best before championships is helping that.”

The world bronze medalist continued: “Stockholm is my favourite place to compete - the Swedes love the discus because of Daniel (Stahl).”

The victor in Rabat and Oslo, European champion Alekna said:

“It’s my third time here so I’m excited and Paris will be my first Olympics - there will be a lot of pressure on me but I don’t think about it, I will just try to enjoy it.”  

Meanwhile, Sweden’s Olympic discus champion, Daniel Ståhl is relishing the prospect of competing on home soil on Sunday:

“It’s nice to be back home where I grew up, it’s always amazing to compete here - it’s my favourite stadium in the whole world so it’s going to be fun,” the two-time world champion explained.

“Tomorrow will be good preparation for the European Championships then I hope to be in top shape for Paris. Expect show-time tomorrow!”

The 31-year-old winner at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Stockholm editions spoke highly of the Alekna - who he finished behind in Oslo with third position: 

“Mykloas is a great talent and has great genes, and the discus world is getting wider and wider, everyone is on fire now,” Stahl said.