She is the new face of German athletics. Yemisi Ogunleye, who won Olympic gold in Paris (France) with 20.00 meters, will face strong competition in Dortmund. Among others, fourth-placed Alina Kenzel (VfB Stuttgart) and the Dutchwoman Jorinde van Klinken, who won silver in the shot put and discus throw at the 2024 European Championships, will be competing against the exceptional athlete, who is now known in Germany not only for her athletic abilities but also for her singing talent, as she once again proved when she was voted Sportswoman of the Year (second place).
Fast sprinters from all over the world in Dortmund
In the men's sprint, top-class duels over 60 meters are on the cards. Joshua Hartmann (ASV Cologne), Germany's fastest man over 200 meters, will face top international runners such as Sweden's Henrik Larsson (European Indoor Championship bronze medallist), the Americans Coby Hilton and ZaChaeus Beard and the Dutch veteran Joris van Gool. Jessica-Bianca Wessolly (VfL Sindelfingen) is the top German in the women's event. The 200-meter champion will be competing in her showpiece discipline and wants to prove that last summer's outstanding 22.50 seconds were no fluke.The men's pole vault is traditionally regarded as a highlight in Dortmund. Oleg Zernikel (ASV Landau), the best German in Paris with ninth place, and Torben Blech (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), sixth in the European Championships, are among the favorites. The show just under the roof of the Helmut-Körnig-Halle - always a spectator magnet.
Strong field in the middle distances
The middle distances are also well-staffed. It will be interesting to see the indoor debut of the 2023 and 2022 World Championship fifth-placer Slimane Moula (Morocco) take on the 800 meters indoors for the first time. German indoor champion Marius Probst (TV Wattenscheid 01) will celebrate his season debut in the 1,500 meters and will be looking to build on his European Championship successes.The women's 800 meters also promises a special performance. Lisanne de Witte, reigning indoor and outdoor world champion with the Dutch long relay team, is increasingly venturing into the 800 meters. The 32-year-old, who has a best time of 50.77 seconds in the 400 meters and won silver at the Olympic Games in Paris last summer, will be challenging former German champion Tanja Spill (LAV Bayer Uerdingen/Dormagen), who is making a fresh start with a new coach after a disastrous 2004 season. Jana Becker (Königsteiner LV), one of Germany's greatest young hopes, will also be taking up the challenge against these experienced athletes. Eliza Megger from Poland, three-time national champion, will start as the favorite in the 1,500 meters.
“We are proud to be able to bring so many top stars to Dortmund despite the tight schedule of this athletics year,” says Yoshi Müller, head of organization for the event, which is hosted by LG Olympia Dortmund. “We've noticed that the spectators have now firmly anchored the meeting in their calendars and know that they're in for a treat: They will be offered a good mix of top stars and thrilling competitions. We have never sold so many tickets in advance before.”
