This year’s competition featured several remarkable performances. Emmanuel Esene of Cameroon triumphed in the men’s 100 meters, clocking 10.16 seconds, narrowly beating Kyree King of the USA and Chituru Ali of Italy. Esene’s explosive start and finishing power were key to his victory. 

Lamecha Girma, who had already set personal bests of 3:53.82 in the mile and 12:58.96 over 5000m this season, was contesting his first steeplechase race of 2024 and aimed to send a clear message to archrival Soufiane El Bakkali, the world and Olympic champion. 

Girma may have started a bit too eagerly, as the early pace (2:36.44 for 1000m) was well inside world record schedule. The tempo eased as the race progressed, with Girma’s fellow Ethiopians Samuel Firewu and Getnet Wale following him through 2000m in 5:18.27. 

Girma began to tire slightly on the final lap, but he had already built up a comfortable lead over Firewu. The world record-holder went on to win by more than four seconds in a world-leading 8:01.63, almost eight seconds faster than El Bakkali’s winning mark in Marrakech last month. 

Firewu followed with a personal best of 8:05.78, and Tunisia’s Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui set a national record of 8:10.41 in third place. 

Another world-leading performance came at the end of the evening as Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati dominated the men’s 800m. Sedjati, the 2022 world silver medallist, positioned himself towards the back of the pack for the first lap as world bronze medallist Ben Pattison tracked the pacemaker in 50.7 seconds. Pattison held the lead up to 600m, by which time Sedjati had moved into second. Sedjati hit top gear as he came off the final bend, then opened up a significant gap to win in 1:43.23. 

He may not have set a world record this evening, but Armand Duplantis’s attempts at 6.25m in the men’s pole vault suggest his next world record could be just around the corner. 

The Swedish vaulter enjoyed first-time clearances at 5.60m, 5.80m, and 5.90m to hold the lead throughout. By that time, Sam Kendricks was the only other man left in the competition, but he exited with three misses at 6.00m. 

Duplantis, meanwhile, once again cleared it on his first try, and then moved the bar up to the world record height. His first attempt was solid; his next two were even better. This will no doubt give him much motivation as he heads into the European Championships and the Olympic Games in Paris. 

Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson took first place in the women’s 200 meters, finishing in 22.69 seconds. She was followed by Sweden’s Julia Henriksson and Great Britain’s Amy Hunt. Jackson’s powerful and consistent sprinting once again marked her as a dominant force in the sport. 

Dutch sensation Femke Bol shone in the women’s 400 meters hurdles, winning with a time of 53.07 seconds. This race was Bol’s first of the season and her fastest season opener ever, setting high expectations for her performances in the upcoming European Championships and the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bol’s victory emphasized her position as one of the premier hurdlers on the global stage. 

The CONIPUR Vmax track at Stockholm Olympic Stadium played a pivotal role in these outstanding results. Renowned for its cutting-edge technology, the track offers excellent speed, grip and reduces the risk of injuries, enabling athletes to push their limits and deliver peak performances. 

With the European Championships approaching and 2024 being an Olympic year, the Bauhaus Galan was a crucial preparatory event for many athletes. The performances not only showcased their talent but also provided insights into potential outcomes at the forthcoming championships and the Olympics in Paris. Athletes used this opportunity to fine-tune their techniques and strategies, leveraging the high-quality competition and world-class facilities. 

Overall, the 2024 Bauhaus Galan was a spectacular event that blended world-class athletic performances with the advantages of the CONIPUR Vmax track technology. It remains a significant fixture on the athletic calendar, highlighting the best in track and field and setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.