The reigning world and world indoor women's high jump champions will rekindle their thrilling Wanda Diamond League rivalry in June, as Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Nicola Olyslagers go head to head once again in Stockholm.
Mahuchikh and Olyslagers have delivered one of the series' great rivalries in recent year, winning seven of eight high jump competitions between them on the Diamond League circuit last season as they slugged it out for the Diamond Trophy.
Olyslagers led the standings for much of the 2023 season thanks to victories in Paris, Lausanne and Monaco, before Mahuchikh hit form in September, clearing the two-metre mark three times in a row in Brussels, Xiamen and Eugene.
Their battle at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Eugene was one of the best in Diamond League history, with both women clearing 2.03m and Mahuchikh winning on countback to claim her second series title. Olyslagers, meanwhile, was able to walk away with a new Oceanian record.
With Mahuchikh aiming for a third title this season and Olyslagers out to get her hands on the Diamond Trophy for the first time, the two women will meet again at the BAUHAUS-Galan in Stockholm on June 2nd.
"I am very happy to jump into Stockholm for the third time in my career. Last time I competed there, I jumped a personal record and that prepared me to perform at the Tokyo Olympics where I cleared 2.02m and took home a silver meda," said Olyslagers. "Sweden is one of my favorite places in the world to jump on and always gives me good memories. I am convinced that this competition will give me the right preparation to perform at the Paris Olympics."
"The Diamond League meetings are very important for my preparations. BAUHAUS-galan is an im-portant step just before the European Championships where I have a gold to defend from the last championship. I have good memories from my victory in Stockholm 2021 with one of my best results ever, 2.03m," said Mahuchikh.
The Wanda Diamond League is the premier one-day meeting series in athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on 13th-14th September.