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The wait is nearly over – on Tuesday, August 12, the legend continues in Budapest at the National Athletic Center with the 15th edition of the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix. As every year, this event will once again be a true celebration of athletics, featuring global superstars, world and Olympic champions, and fan favourites on the track and in the field. As part of World Athletics’ Continental Tour Gold series, the competition ranks among the world’s best and most prestigious one-day athletics meetings. After twelve years, the most prominent athletics event in the region returns to the capital.

In recent months, the organisers have gradually revealed the list of participants. Now, as the event approaches, it’s time to summarise who we’ll get to see in Budapest. One thing is certain: a phenomenal lineup is set to compete, headlined by the sport’s biggest stars!

Men’s Events

100 metres: The current fastest man in the world, Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, is set to compete – as well as the meet record holder, Akani Simbine from South Africa, and Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, one of the top sprinters in outstanding form this season.

200 metres: Fans will witness one of the sport’s most popular figures, world record holder Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa; 400 metres Muzala Samukonga, Olympic bronze medallist and African Champion from Zambia. Representing Hungary are national record holders Attila Molnár and Patrik Enyingi, much to the delight of the home crowd.

110m hurdles: Olympic champion from Tokyo, Hansle Parchment of Jamaica, headlines the field.

High jump: Key names include former World Champion Donald Thomas (Bahamas).

Long jump: Greece’s iconic Miltiadis Tentoglou returns – the reigning Olympic and World Champion, double World Indoor Champion, and three-time European Champion (indoors and outdoors). He has competed – and won – twice before at this event.

Pole vault: The face of modern athletics, Armand Duplantis, the world record holder and current number one in the World Athletics rankings, first competed here in 2022 – arriving, competing, and winning. A two-time Olympic Champion, two-time World Champion, three-time World Indoor Champion, and triple European Champion, Duplantis has conquered every major title in the sport. Among his challengers is Emmanouil Karalis of Greece, this year’s European Indoor Champion and Olympic bronze medallist.

Shot put: Expect a stacked field featuring two-time World Champion and triple Olympic silver medallist Joe Kovacs, Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell from Jamaica, New Zealand’s Tom Walsh (World Champion and three-time World Indoor Champion), and Italy’s European Champion and World silver medallist Leonardo Fabbri.

Hammer throw: The youngest-ever World Champion in the event, Ethan Katzberg, returns after making history in Budapest in 2023 by throwing over 80 metres – the first Canadian ever to do so. He has since added an Olympic gold medal in Paris. His top challenger is Hungary’s Bence Halász, Olympic silver medallist, two-time World bronze medallist, and double European silver medallist. Also competing: Poland’s Paweł Fajdek, five-time World Champion and meet record holder; and Olympic and triple European Champion Wojciech Nowicki, along with Ukraine’s Olympic bronze medallist Mykhaylo Kokhan.

 

Women’s Events

100 metres: An absolutely dazzling lineup, headlined by Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a three-time Olympic and ten-time World Champion. She’ll be joined by fellow Jamaicans Shericka Jackson (Olympic and four-time World Champion) and rising star Tina Clayton, a four-time U20 World Champion who recently won the Jamaican Championships ahead of both Jackson and Fraser-Pryce. Also in the field: Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith of Côte d’Ivoire, three-time World silver medallist. Hungary’s fastest woman, Boglárka Takács, will also line up among the elite.

400 metres: Dutch star Lieke Klaver, relay Olympic and World Champion and individual World Indoor silver medallist, will compete.

100m hurdles: The lineup includes Nadine Visser, double European Indoor Champion from the Netherlands, as well as Hungarian stars Luca Kozák and Anna Tóth.

400m hurdles: Dutch sensation Femke Bol returns – Olympic Champion in the relay, double World Champion, double World Indoor Champion, five-time European Champion, six-time European Indoor Champion, current European Record holder.

Long jump: Serbian great Ivana Španović, World Champion, double World Indoor Champion, two-time European Champion, and three-time European Indoor Champion, will compete.

Pole vault: British World Indoor Champion Molly Caudery.

 

Of course, this list is not exhaustive – for a full overview of announced athletes, visit the official event website.

If you’re considering purchasing tickets, don’t wait too long – availability is limited.
Tickets available at: Eventim.hu