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New global stars have been announced by the organizers of the 2026 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix. This time, the fields for the men’s and women’s 200 meters, as well as the women’s 100 meters hurdles, have been finalized, and based on the line-up, world-class quality is once again guaranteed at the National Athletic Centre.

In the men’s 200 meters, one of the sport’s biggest personalities, the 400 meters world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, will also compete in Budapest. Alongside the South African star, the 2023 Gyulai Memorial winner and Dominican Olympic fourth-place finisher Alexander Ogando, the four-time European champion Zharnel Hughes from Great Britain, and the Paris Olympic 4×100 meters relay champion, Canada’s Aaron Brown, will also arrive. Every member of the field is capable of a sub-20 second performance, so everything is set for an extremely fast race.

An incredible field is expected in the women’s 200 meters as well. The start list is led by three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas from the United States, who won gold medals in Paris in the 200 meters, as well as with the 4×100 and 4×400 meters relays. Her compatriot, Kayla White, arrives in Budapest as a world champion relay runner.

Hungarian athletics will be represented by Zita Szentgyörgyi. For the EYOF bronze medalist and 2025 Hungarian champion, competing in front of a home crowd in one of the world’s strongest sprint fields represents a huge opportunity.

The field for the women’s 100 meters hurdles is practically equivalent to a World Championship final. Among those taking the start will be Olympic champion Masai Russell, world record holder and world champion Tobi Amusan, Olympic silver medalist and European champion Cyréna Samba-Mayela, World Championship bronze medalist Grace Stark, and last year’s Gyulai Memorial winner, the World Indoor Championship silver medalist Nadine Visser.

Hungarian fans can also cheer for two excellent hurdlers. Luca Kozák, European Championship silver medalist and Hungarian record holder, will once again test her skills against the world’s elite, while Anna Tóth, the two-time U20 World Championship bronze medalist and U23 European Championship bronze medalist, can prove herself in another prestigious international field.

A full house – just like last year – is guaranteed in the stadium stands – it is worth staying alert – Tickets can be purchased on this Eventim platform. Member clubs of the Hungarian Athletics Association can purchase tickets with a 10% discount; to do so, the code must be requested from the head of the member club.

16th Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix, Budapest – Events

Men: 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, 110 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles, pole vault, long jump, shot put, hammer throw

Women: 100 m, 200 m, 1500 m, 100 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, long jump