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Zambia’s Olympic bronze medallist, Muzala Samukonga, is set to compete in the 400 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League on 22 August 2024 at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in Switzerland.
According to the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) website, Samukonga would face a familiar lineup from the 400m Final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
These include Quincy Hall of the United States and Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain, who claimed the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Other competitors include Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, both Olympic Silver Medalists in the Men’s 4x400m Relay from Botswana, Vernon Norwood of the USA, the current log leader, Charles Dobson of Great Britain, and Lionel Spitz of Switzerland.
Reacting to the star-studded lineup, Samukonga said:
“It feels good being part of the Diamond League because this demonstrates that I am a world-class athlete. I’ll be racing against the same guys I faced at the Olympics, but it’s not a big deal. I’m going there to run my own race. Whether I win or lose, it’s part of sport, but I know I’m the best.”
When asked about his chances of reaching the podium in Lausanne, Samukonga confidently remarked that he can only miss out on a medal if he’s not feeling well.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Samukonga expressed confidence in his ability to perform at the highest level, stating that his goal is to secure a spot in the final in Brussels.
“I need to perform well in Lausanne and Rome to secure a slot for the final in Brussels, Belgium,” he said.
Samukonga last competed in the Diamond League in May at the Marrakech meet, where he secured his slot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by finishing second in the men’s 400m with a time of 44.54 seconds.
The Diamond League is an annual series of elite track and field competitions, featuring 15 of the world’s top invitational athletics meetings.
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