A thrilling clash is set to unfold at the upcoming Lausanne Diamond League on August 20, as some of the world’s fastest women in the 200m prepare for a fierce battle just weeks before the World Championships.
Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, reigning world champion Shericka Jackson, and Olympic silver medalist Julien Alfred are confirmed for the meet, promising an electrifying race that will serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for the global showpiece in Tokyo this September.
Joining the trio will be Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, adding even more firepower to a field that features three of the 10 fastest women of all time in the 200m. Jackson leads the list with her blistering 21.41 seconds, making her the fastest woman alive in the event. Thomas follows with a personal best of 21.60, placing her fourth on the all-time list, while Alfred is tied for ninth with a time of 21.71.
This showdown holds added significance given the athletes’ contrasting seasons and comeback narratives. Jackson is easing her way back from injury after missing the Paris 2024 Olympics. She has only competed in two 200m races in 2025, winning the Jamaican National Championships and finishing second at the Xiamen Diamond League earlier in the year.
On the other hand, Julien Alfred comes into Lausanne in red-hot form. The Saint Lucian sprinter has won all three of her 200m races this season and has also impressed in the 100m, claiming three victories in four events. Her consistency and form make her one of the top contenders heading into both Lausanne and the World Championships.
Gabby Thomas, meanwhile, continues to recover from an Achilles injury that hampered her during the US Championships. After withdrawing from the 100m semi-final due to pain, she managed to battle through the 200m final and secure a third-place finish, clinching her spot on Team USA for Tokyo. Lausanne will be a key test of her fitness and readiness against the best in the world.
With pride, form, and psychological edges on the line, the Lausanne showdown is poised to deliver a spectacle that could shape expectations for the global stage next month.
