The event is the road to the take-all two-day Diamond League final set for Zurich, Switzerland to be held on August 27 to 28. Sparks are expected to fly as the 200m Olympic champion comes face-to-face against 100m Olympic champion, Noah Lyles, the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics. Tebogo goes into the race motivated following an exceptional race at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, dropping a world lead of 19.76 seconds. Tebogo is seen as the outright favourite and some argue he already has the race in the bag, with the feeling that it is time for him to prove that he is the king of 200m. In their last meeting, Lyles indicated he was unwell when he faded late on in the race to settle for position three at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Speaking to the media after the Prefontaine Classic, Tebogo said the 19.76 seconds is a tip of the iceberg. “I did not have to push hard, I just had to get into the race and do my best. There is still plenty on the tank that I can give as I get ready for the World Athletics Championships. They had written me off, I am back now,” he said.
Tebogo has been unstoppable having started off with a 20.10 seconds at the DOHA Diamond League in May. It will be Lyles' first 200m this season after 400m and 4x100m appearances in April. Lyles cannot be undermined as he is a powerhouse on his own, and the man has top speed finish. Over the years, Lyles has opened his seasons with a sub 20, something that he is capable of pulling on the day. The American has not lost a 200m race in the Diamond League competition in more than five years. Tebogo and Lyles have an interesting 200m yearly progression for the past five years (as indicated below). In the 200m pre-programme, Collen Kebinatshipi will line up in the Monaco Diamond League Under-23 half lap race.
