The athletics season is in full swing, and the French athletes are very much in the mix. Between qualifying standards for Tokyo and French records, the stars of French athletics are proudly displaying their ambitions and proving that they are contenders on the track. Many of them will be competing at the Herculis EBS meeting on July 11.
High-Intensity Middle Distance Action
Olympic finalist, Gabriel Tual, will be the one to watch in the 800m. Last year, he came third in 1:42.10, just days after breaking the French record in Paris. The man from Bordeaux, currently ranked fifth in the world this season, has clocked 1:42.72. In Monaco, he’ll be facing off Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who tops the 2025 rankings. A thrilling battle is expected, one that could even threaten the meeting record, established just last year.
On the women’s side, all eyes will be on Agathe Guillemot. Originally from Brittany, she knows the Stade Louis II track well, having broken the French record in the 2000m there last year. This year, she returns for the 1000m, where she’ll face, among others, Australia’s Jessica Hull. Sparks are sure to fly in this race.
In the 3000m steeplechase, there are fond memories from the European Championships in Rome, with strong showings from Alexis Miellet, who took gold, and his runner-up Djilali Bedrani. Both steeplechasers have already proven themselves this season by meeting the qualifying standards for Tokyo. In Monaco, they will be eager to compete at the front of the pack and aim for a top performance ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
Jimmy Gressier has once again showcased the full extent of his talent. In Paris just last week, he broke his own French 5000m record, clocking 12:51.59, thanks to a stunning final lap where he overtook his competitors. In Monaco, he’ll be joined by fellow Frenchman Yann Schrub, who also excelled in Paris, by meeting the Tokyo qualifying standard (12:56.57). We can expect another strong showing from the two teammates at the Louis II Stadium.
Elite Field in the Hurdles
The 400m hurdles are always a highlight of the evening in Monaco. This year, European silver medalist Louise Maraval will be on the start line. The French athlete will be aiming to meet the qualifying standard for the World Championships. To help her, she’ll be able to count on the event’s top star, Femke Bol, to pull her along.
In the high hurdles, two big names to watch: Sasha Zhoya and Wilhem Belocian. The two Frenchmen have already met the qualifying standards for the World Championships this season: 13.06 for Zhoya, a new personal record, and 13.20 for Belocian in Paris. In Monaco, their goal will be to lower their times even further and score key points against their competition. Among their rivals will be Grant Holloway, who has reasserted himself on the global stage (13.11 in Paris), after a rocky start to the season.
Field events to watch
Thomas Gogois reached a new level last year, winning a European medal and qualifying for the Olympic Games. This season, the Frenchman has shown that he will once again be one to watch. In Paris, he jumped 17m11, eleventh best performance in the world this season, only two centimetres shy of the qualifying standard for Tokyo. We know what he’ll be loving in Monaco…
On the women’s side, similarly to last year, the heptathlete Auriana Lazraq-Khlass will be taking part to gain experience alongside the world’s best specialists. Entered in the shot put, she’ll be able to draw inspiration from the reigning Olympic Champion, Yemisi Ogunleye.
