Elite Kenyan athletes (from left) Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala and Faith Cherotich.

📋 Breaking It Down

Shanghai Diamond League, the opening leg of the World Athletics series which will be held today in China, has attracted a star-studded field as athletes look to start their outdoor season with a bang.

Traditionally, the Diamond League series begins in Doha, Qatar, but this year’s calendar was adjusted following the USA-Israel war with Iran. The Doha meet has been moved to June 19.

The Wanda Diamond League is the world’s top athletics series and comprises 15 meetings in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

📌 What You Need to Know

The series also offers athletes a unique platform to compete consistently at the highest level across a wide range of disciplines.

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya reacts after winning the women's 1,500m race in a world record time of 3:48.68 during the 50th Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field on July 5, 2025.

In 32 events, athletes accumulate points over the 14 series meetings in a race to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final, where the season’s champions will be crowned.

Multiple Olympics and World 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon will headline the 5,000m race. The Kenyan golden girl is not new to the 5,000m race.

She earned a silver in the race at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo where she also won the women’s 1,500m gold.

“We have been out of competition for a long period but it’s now serious business. Basically, I’m also competing to enjoy the season as we focus on the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in September,” said Kipyegon.

📰 Source: Nation Africa