Dos Santos and Russell Set World Records at Zurich Diamond League

Alison dos Santos and Masai Russell produced the defining performances of the Zurich Diamond League meeting, with both athletes setting world records on a night that also saw Audrey Werro move closer to the long-standing women’s 800m mark. The meeting was the final Diamond League event of the season before next week’s series final in Brussels.

Dos Santos ran 45.80 seconds to break the men’s 400m hurdles world record, defeating former record holder Karsten Warholm in the process. Less than 40 minutes later, Russell won the women’s 100m hurdles in a world-record 12.09 seconds, completing a remarkable double of hurdles records in Zurich.

The results gave the meeting two historic headline moments, while Werro’s 800m display added another major performance to a programme full of high-level competition. The Swiss athlete won in 1:53.70, lowering her personal best and finishing just 0.42 seconds outside Jarmila Kratochvilova’s world record of 1:53.28.

World records light up the Zurich programme

Dos Santos described the occasion as an incredible night after his record-breaking 400m hurdles run. He said the crowd and energy were perfect and credited his coach for helping him develop as both an athlete and a person.

Russell’s 12.09-second victory followed soon afterwards, making it two world records in one meeting. The BBC’s live coverage described her run as a stunning performance, and the back-to-back records ensured Zurich delivered one of the most memorable Diamond League nights of the season.

There was further world-record interest in the men’s pole vault, where Armand Duplantis won with a clearance of 6.25m. Greece’s Emmanouil Karalis finished second after a lifetime best of 6.20m. Duplantis came close to another world record but was unable to make the decisive clearance.

In the men’s 800m, Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi also went after David Rudisha’s 14-year world record, but the mark remained intact. The meeting nevertheless continued to produce elite performances across the track and field programme.

Werro leads a fast women’s 800m

Werro was once again too strong for her rivals in the women’s 800m. Femke Broeders-Bol elected to take the race on and the leading runners passed the bell in 55.36 seconds, running on the wavelights set to world-record pace. Werro then powered clear and raced against the clock over the closing stages.

Her winning time of 1:53.70 improved on her previous best and underlined the level she has reached in 2026. Broeders-Bol was second in 1:54.71, a personal best in her first season as an 800m runner, while Georgia Hunter Bell placed third in a season’s best 1:55.03.

Hunter Bell said she had hoped to run 1:54 but was pleased to have the opportunity to run fast. She added that her focus at the upcoming World Ultimate Championships in Budapest would be the 1500m. Broeders-Bol said she enjoyed racing against the leading runners and was gaining confidence while continuing to learn the event.

Diamond League final awaits in Brussels

The Zurich meeting closed the regular Diamond League season, with the series final scheduled for Brussels on 4 and 5 September. Athletes who have qualified will now turn their attention to that event before the inaugural World Ultimate Championships in Budapest the following week.

There was one final world-leading performance on the track as Kenneth Bednarek won the men’s 200m in 19.62 seconds. South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile was second in 19.82. With records, personal bests and world leads all delivered in Zurich, the season moves into its closing events with significant momentum.