The athletics world turns its gaze to Zurich this week. The Diamond League Final is here, ready to crown champions in the sport’s biggest circuit. Two top contenders, Pedro Pichardo and Isaac Nader, are set to compete for glory on Thursday. Their performances could define their seasons and hint at future successes.
Pedro Pichardo, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, is a big name in the triple jump. He’s chasing his fourth Diamond trophy, having won before in 2018, 2021, and 2024. But there’s a real question mark over his current form. He’s only competed twice at a high level this season, in Shaoxing and Oslo. So, this Zurich final is more than just a fight for the title. It’s a crucial test before the World Championships in Tokyo. Many expect him to contend for a medal there.
Isaac Nader also enters the 1500 meters as a strong contender for the title. This year, the race is wide open, a real chance for someone to step up. Why? The biggest star, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, isn’t competing. The Norwegian has won this event three times straight in the Diamond League. Without him, Nader looks like a clear favorite. He’s the sixth fastest man in the world this year. His national record time of 3:29.37 backs up his claim.
Beyond these two, Fatoumata Diallo will race earlier on Thursday. She’s in the 400 meters hurdles. Her event is a preliminary, leading up to the main title fight. Femke Bol is the heavy favorite in that big race.
The action in Switzerland kicks off this Wednesday. Six events are scheduled for the day. These early competitions take place at Sechseläutenplatz, right by the Zurich Opera House. Fans will see men’s and women’s shot put. There’s also pole vault for both genders. Men’s long jump and women’s high jump complete Wednesday’s program. The big finals, including Pichardo and Nader’s, happen the next day. Those will be held at the Letzigrund stadium.
Beyond the trophies, serious money is on the line. A total prize fund of $2.24 million will be shared. This goes to the top nine finishers in each event. Most champions will pocket $30,000 for their title win. That’s about 25,700 euros. But some special races, called “Diamond+ events,” offer more. Their champions take home $50,000, roughly 42,900 euros. The men’s 1500 meters is one of these bigger prize events. The triple jump, however, pays out the standard $30,000.
Prize Money Breakdown
Here’s how the standard prize money works for each event:
- 1st Place: $30,000
- 2nd Place: $12,000
- 3rd Place: $7,000
- 4th Place: $4,000
- 5th Place: $2,500
- 6th Place: $2,000
- 7th Place: $1,500
- 8th Place: $1,000
- 9th Place: $500
“Diamond+” Event Payouts
And for those special “Diamond+” events, the stakes are even higher:
- 1st Place: $50,000
- 2nd Place: $20,000
- 3rd Place: $10,000
- 4th Place: $6,000
- 5th Place: $5,000
- 6th Place: $4,000
- 7th Place: $3,000
- 8th Place: $2,000
- 9th Place: $1,000
The “Diamond+” category includes several marquee races. These are the men’s and women’s 100-meter dashes. Also on the list are the men’s 1500 meters and the men’s 400-meter hurdles. The men’s pole vault gets the bonus pay too. For women, the 100-meter hurdles, 3000 meters, and long jump are “Diamond+” events.
