Jessica Hull breaking the 2000m world record. The big three coming together in the men’s 400m hurdles. Djamel Sedjati running another 1:41 to lower his own world lead. Jakob Ingebrigtsen becoming just the fourth man in history to break 3:27. The Monaco Diamond League exceeded expectations in every way imaginable and was the perfect meet just two weeks out from the Olympic opening ceremony.

The 2024 Paris Diamond League produced two of the best races of the year. Djamel Sedjati pipped Emmanuel Wanyonyi at the line in a historically fast men’s 800m that saw six athletes break 1:43. Not two hours later, Faith Kipyegon bettered her own world record in the women’s 1500m while towing Jessica Hull around her favourite European stadium.

The Diamond League made its one and only American stop last weekend at the Prefontaine Classic. The second most anticipated meet of the year (behind only the Olympics) featured a long-awaited rematch between rivals, the breaking of a historic barrier, and the return of world champions. In this piece, we break down the four most notable storylines of the day and what they mean in the context of the Paris Olympics.

The rematch between Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen is here. After Kerr beat his Norwegian counterpart to the 1500m global title last year, an ever-souring rivalry has become the focus of the running world. Who will win in their first race since the World Championships last year?

The Diamond League’s Asian leg, which consisted of three meets spread between China and Qatar, came to a close last weekend in Doha. Here are nine takeaways from the opening meets of this ever-important Olympic season.