Tebogo ready to battle Brussels cold, Bednarek for first Diamond League title, Blake’s 19.26 meeting record

All focus will be on the men’s 200m event on Saturday, the second and final day of the 2024 Diamond League as Letsile Tebogo will be seeking to become the first African to win the 200m event in the competition.

The Botswanan who made history as the first African to win an Olympic 200m gold last month in Paris will also be attempting either or both the 19.26 meeting record set by Yohan Blake of Jamaica in 2011 or Usain Bolt’s 19.19 world record.

The 21-year-old is unfazed by both the quality of the line up and the cold weather that has made running fast times impossible across Europe in the last week.

In Zurich last week, the African ran 19.55 in cold and rainy conditions and says he has prepared for another cold evening in Brussels by going to Brescia in Italy to run at the Grand Prix Lombardia Brescia 2024 where he battled cold and a -1.4ms head wind to win the 200m event in 20.66.

‘A lot of people were surprised that I went to Brescia after Zurich, but I needed that race. It also taught me that I can also run well and win in more difficult weather conditions.

‘That was the conclusion after Zurich, where the weather wasn’t great and nobody probably believed I could run a 19:55,’ said Tebogo who told the media at a pre-race press conference he is prepared to break Blake’s meeting record

‘It’s also pretty cold here, but I am prepared. I still feel good at the end of the season, so we will see what happens.

‘Winning the Wanda Diamond League final would really be the cherry on top of this amazing season with an Olympic title. I would love to finish in style on Saturday with a trophy.’