The London leg of the Diamond League series is underway today, 18 July 2026, featuring a star-studded line-up of international and British athletes. The spotlight is firmly on Scotland's Josh Kerr, the former world 1500m champion and two-time Olympic medallist, who is attempting to break the long-standing mile world record of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds. This ambitious target has remained untouched since 1999, adding significant anticipation to his race.
Another prominent British athlete competing is Keely Hodgkinson, who will be looking for her inaugural 800m victory of the season. Hodgkinson has faced a challenging period, including training falls and withdrawing from the 400m final at the British national championships last month. Despite the unfortunate withdrawal of world silver medallist Georgia Hunter-Bell due to illness, the women's 800m field remains highly competitive, featuring Femke Broeders-Bol, who is stepping up from her usual 400m hurdles, and Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma.
The women's 200m race promises to be a highlight, with Britain's Dina Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt set to compete against formidable opposition. The field includes Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred and Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas, setting the stage for a compelling sprint showdown. Many other global athletics stars are also participating across various disciplines, including Oblique Seville, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, and Mondo Duplantis, ensuring a packed day of elite competition in the capital.
The event is being held throughout the afternoon, with the men's mile race, featuring Kerr's record attempt, scheduled for 3:36pm BST. The women's 800m will follow at 3:51pm BST, concluding the main track events. For those unable to attend in person, live coverage is available across the United Kingdom via BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with broadcasts commencing from 1pm BST.
This London meeting marks a significant point in the 2026 Diamond League calendar, following earlier events in locations such as Shanghai, Rome, Paris, and Monaco. The series will continue with further meetings in Lausanne, Chorzow, and Zurich, before culminating in the Diamond League finals in Brussels on 4-5 September. Today's event offers a crucial opportunity for athletes to hone their form and secure valuable points as the season progresses towards its climax.