Amusan and Tharp Headline Six World Record Holders Confirmed for Prefontaine Classic
Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan and Auburn University’s Ja’Kobe Tharp will be the marquee names at the 51st Prefontaine Classic, leading a lineup of six world record holders set to electrify Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The meet, scheduled for Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, 2026, promises to be one of the most historic gatherings in track and field.
Amusan, who stunned the world in 2022 with her 12.12 run in the Women’s 100m Hurdles at the World Athletics Championships, returns to the same venue where she etched her name into history.
Tharp, meanwhile, has just announced himself on the global stage, clocking a jaw-dropping 12.75 in the Men’s 110m Hurdles prelims at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships earlier this week, also at Hayward Field.
Together, they embody the new and established brilliance of sprint hurdling, and their presence ensures fireworks in Track Town, U.S.A.
Joining them are four more world record holders across the field and middle-distance events.
Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna, who set the Men’s Discus world record in 2024 with a throw of 74.35m, will showcase his dominance in the circle. American Ryan Crouser, the Men’s Shot Put world record holder with his 23.56m mark achieved in 2021, returns to his home soil with expectations of another commanding performance.
Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who shattered the Women’s Mile world record in 2023 with a time of 4:07.64, will bring her unrivaled middle-distance mastery to Hayward Field.
Poland’s Anita Włodarczyk, the Women’s Hammer Throw world record holder thanks to her 82.98m throw in 2016, adds her legendary strength to the lineup.
