The 2024 Paris Olympics, the grandest sporting event of the year, is behind us. However, that doesn’t mean track and field fans have nothing exciting to look forward to for the rest of the year. On the contrary, the icons who raced their way to Olympic gold will once again take center stage on September 5, at the Zurich Diamond League.

While several Olympic champions chose to skip the Silesia and Rome editions of the Diamond Leagues, most of them are ready to compete once again. As a result, the Diamond League edition in Zurich will feature some of the biggest U.S. and global stars. The stacked lineup promises some epic rematches less than a month after Paris 2024.

Sha’carri Richardson’s chance at redemption as she faces her nemesis Julien Alfred

One of the most anticipated rematches at the Zurich Diamond League will be the 100-meter clash between Sha’Carri Richardson and Julien Alfred. Richardson arrived at the Olympics as one of the favorites to win gold. Fans were hyped to watch the 24-year-old world champion race legends such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson.

However, after Fraser-Pryce and Jackson bowed out due to injuries, many felt Richardson would dominate given her 2024 world lead and world title from 2023. The defending world champion also wished to put the cherry on top of her comeback with an Olympic medal. However, no one saw Julien Alfred coming, as the St. Lucian stunned Richardson to win 100-meter gold in Paris. Now the budding rival will see another chapter in Zurich.

Alfred will look to better her 10.72-second finish in Paris to earn another gold. Meanwhile, Sha’Carri Richardson will aim to avenge her loss and possibly improve on her 2024 world-leading timing of 10.71 seconds. However, unlike in Paris, the first Olympic medalist from St. Lucia is no longer the underdog.

Zurich Diamond League will host another Letsile Tebogo vs. America showdown

Talking about underdogs who stunned the world in Paris, Letsile Tebogo comes to mind. The Olympian propelled himself into stardom the moment he left behind favorite Noah Lyles to win the 200-meter gold at Paris 2024. While some questioned the outcome in light of Lyles suffering from COVID-19, the star from Botswana proved them wrong in spectacular fashion in Rome.

The athlete took on 100-meter Olympic bronze medalist Fred Kerley in Rome, defeating him comfortably in a statement-making win. The king of upsets also defeated veterans like Christian Coleman, and former Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs. Now, just days after facing one another in Rome, Tebogo and Kerley will once again face off at the Zurich Diamond League.

However, this time the rivals will line up for the 200m race, joined by Team USA Kenneth Bednarek. Bednarek won silver in Paris against Tebogo, and will essentially be part of a two-way rematch as both he and Kerley will look to dethrone the rising champion.

Cole Hocker leads the rematch against Paris 2024 rivals

Dethroning a newly crowned champion is exactly what Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen hope to achieve at the Zurich Diamond League. After a furious war of words ahead of the Olympics, the 1500m favorites paid no attention to USA’s Cole Hocker, whose blistering final dash defeated both favorites. The men’s 1500m from Paris remains intact for the September 5 clash.

After his disappointing fourth-place finish, Jakob Ingebrigtsen vowed to redeem himself. Although Kerr was happy with his performance, it’s difficult to imagine either will let Cole Hocker grab another gold without a challenge. However, Hocker’s teammate Yared Nuguse will also look to spoil the British and Norwegian star’s bid to reclaim the top spot.

Other track and field stars to watch out for in Zurich

While some champions won’t have their rivals beside them at the Zurich Diamond League. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t take a shot at them. Two-time Paris 2024 gold medalist Beatrice Chebet hopes to beat Ethiopian rival Gudaf Tsegay’s world record. Tsegay set the mark at 14:00:21 last year in Oregon, six seconds ahead of Chebet’s personal best.

However, the 5000m and 10,000m Olympic gold medalist is ending high on the momentum of her victories in Paris. Will she succeed in Zurich? Only time will tell, but another track and field star will look to yet again literally set the bar in pole vault. Armand Duplantis left everyone in the dust in Paris, setting the new world and Olympic record at 6.25 meters.

However, Paris Olympics silver medalist Sam Kendricks won’t let Mondo Duplantis rest on his laurels. Unfortunately, one of the Swedish star’s biggest rivals, EJ Obiena, won’t be there. The Filipino pole vaulter had to forfeit his Zurich Diamond League dreams after suffering a back injury and won’t be back until next year.

Notable athletes who won’t compete in the Zurich Diamond League

Finally, we come to the few athletes whose participation would’ve made the September 5 contest even more exciting. Noah Lyles, the defending world champion who also won 100m gold in Paris, has called it a season. The sprinter gave it his all, sprinting to 200m bronze while suffering from COVID-19 symptoms. While the 27-year-old has recovered, he closed the curtain on his 2024 season on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe.

Another Team USA star who’ll remain absent is 400m hurdling queen Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Despite dominating the event, the world and Olympic record holder won’t be there at the Zurich Diamond League. Despite fans criticizing her for only prioritizing World Championships and the Olympics, the hurdler has remained radio silent. Meanwhile, her rival Femke Bol will look to add a fifth Diamond League title to her name this season.

Just when track and field fans were yearning to see the next chapter in the new and old rivalries from Paris 2024, the Zurich Diamond League has come to the rescue. Will you be tuning in? Let us know in the comments.