EUGENE, Ore. – The field events at this year’s Prefontaine Classic continue to stack global medalists and record-holders with the announcement of the men’s shot put and women’s triple jump headliners, as made by the meet organizers this week.
The 2024 men’s shot put will be a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games medalists in the event:
Ryan Crouser (U.S.A.) enters the ring as the current world record-holder in the event, having thrown 23.56m in 2023. The two-time Olympic gold medalist has won 13 Diamond League meetings over the course of his professional career. At last year’s Prefontaine Classic, which served as the Diamond League Final, Crouser finished second by two centimeters to fellow American Joe Kovacs.
Joe Kovacs (U.S.A.) is the reigning Pre Classic and Diamond League Final champion in the men’s shot put, having thrown 22.93m at last year’s event to claim the title for the second year in a row. A two-time Olympic silver medalist, Kovacs also has 13 Diamond League meeting wins under his belt and is fresh off a U.S. Indoor title in the event.
Tom Walsh (New Zealand) is no stranger to the podium as a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and four-time Diamond League Final champion in the shot put. His personal best of 22.90m in the event stands as New Zealand’s national record in the event.
This year’s Pre Classic women’s triple jump will feature:
Shanieka Ricketts (Jamaica) headlines the women’s triple jump field as the second-ranked athlete in the world in the event. Fans may remember Ricketts from her silver medal performance at the 2022 World Athletics Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field, where she jumped 14.89m for the medal. A five-time national champion, Ricketts’ personal best in the event stands at 15.03m, set at last year’s Pre Classic.
Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (Ukraine) joins the field as the current fourth-ranked athlete in the world in the women’s triple jump. The reigning World Outdoor silver medalist, Bekh-Romanchuk’s personal best in the event is just one centimeter behindRickett’s at 15.02m, set in 2022.
Keturah Orji (U.S.A.) joins the field as the 10-time U.S. indoor and outdoor champion in the women’s triple jump, dating back to 2016. Fresh off the 2024 nationalindoor title, Orji finished fourth at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships. Her personal best in the event stands at 14.91m, set in 2021.
For a complete list of updated event fields in this year’s Prefontaine Classic Diamond Disciplines, please visit PreClassic.com.
Tickets are now on sale, with prices starting at just $25. A stadium seating map can be viewedhere (PreClassic.com). Fans can purchase tickets online at PreClassic.com. Customer service inquiries can be answered by calling 1-800-WEBFOOT (1-800-932-3668).
Accreditation requests for bona fide members of the media wishing to cover the Prefontaine Classic can be placed online at portal.diamondleague.com. Media accreditation questions and other inquiries can be sent to media@gotracktownusa.com.
###
About The Prefontaine Classic
The Prefontaine Classic is the premier track and field meet in the United States. Since its inception in 1975, the meet has been a fixture in the global track and field calendar, earning a reputation for bringing the world’s best athletes to Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. The meet is named after Steve Prefontaine and serves as a “living memorial to Pre” (Bill Bowerman, June 1, 1975). The Pre Classic is a member of the Wanda Diamond League circuit and has been sponsored by Nike since 1978. In 2023, The Prefontaine Classic served as host of the prestigious Wanda Diamond League Final and was the top-ranking meet of all-time in World Athletics’ competition scores. For more information, visit PreClassic.com.
About the Wanda Diamond League
The Wanda Diamond League is the premier one-day meeting series in athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field. Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels on 13th-14th September.
