The men’s 100m will showcase some of the fastest athletes in the world with Andre de Grasse (CAN), Trayvon Bromell (USA), and Yohan Blake (JAM) amongst the star names set to star at the Müller Birmingham Diamond League, the second meeting of the 2022 Wanda Diamond League series, at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday 21 May.

Currently third in the 100m world rankings, de Grasse, the 200m Olympic gold medallist, took bronze in the 100m in Tokyo in his lifetime best of 9.89, a time he equalled as he finished second in last year’s Diamond League final in Zurich. The 27-year-old Canadian will be looking to kickstart the big season ahead with the World Championships in Oregon in July followed by a potential return to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.

The 2015 world bronze medallist, Trayvon Bromell will be keen to make up for an Olympic Games last year where he did not qualify for the final in Tokyo. The American, who won over 100m at the Diamond League in Gateshead last July, was the fastest man over 100m in 2021, finishing the season strongly with a 9.76 (+1.2) personal best in Kenya in September. 

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse after winning the Harry Jerome Track Classic. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall/Athletics Illustrated

Multiple global medallist Yohan Blake from Jamaica is always a crowd favourite. The 32-year-old took silver behind Usain Bolt in both the 100m and 200m at London 2012 and won the world title back in 2011. He remains the second fastest man ever over 100m with his lifetime best of 9.69 (-0.1) secured in August 2012. 

The Canadian sprinting star, de Grasse, said, “It will be great to race against such a world-class field in the UK at the Müller Birmingham Diamond League next month. 2021 was a really strong year for me winning three medals at the Olympic Games, so I am looking forward to starting my season strongly against the world’s best at the Alexander Stadium.”

Bromell added, “The last time I competed in the UK I took the victory over 100m, so I will be looking to produce another strong performance for the British crowd at the end of May. With the World Athletics Championships taking place in Oregon in the summer, racing against such a competitive field is really important so I’m looking forward to lining up against them.”

Blake, who won on his last visit to Birmingham in 2019 added, “Birmingham holds some great memories for me including my victory there at the Diamond League a few years ago. The UK crowds are always incredible, so I’m really pleased to be racing in front of them once again, and also get a chance to compete on the new track against a really strong field.”