Croatia’s Boris Hanžeković Memorial hosts world’s best athletes

Athletics stars will compete in the Boris Hanžeković Memorial this month, including Saint Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred, Ethiopian middle-distance runner Gudaf Tsegay, Slovenian discus thrower Kristijan Čeh, Serbian long jumper Ivana Šanović and Croatia's stars Sandra Elkasević and Sara Kolak.

The new date, 22-24 May, for this track and field contest in Zagreb hasn't deterred many top athletes from returning to the Croatian capital city. In the past the event was held in September, CE Report quotes HINA.

In the 1,500m race, spectators will have the chance to watch Gudaf Tsegay, currently the world's top middle- and long-distance runner. She holds the world record in the 5,000 metres, is the world indoor champion and record holder in the 1,500 metres, and is also the world champion in the 10,000 metres and former champion in the 5,000 metres.

The hammer throw event will feature Wojciech Nowicki and Paweł Fajdek. Nowicki is the Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo and has five World Championship medals, while Fajdek boasts five World Championship golds.

The discus throw promises to be equally exciting, with the field led by Kristjan Čeh, the former world and European champion. His presence is expected to draw many fans from neighbouring Slovenia to the Mladost Sports Park venue.

Sandra Elkasević, double Olympic and World Champion in the discus throw, will be aiming for her 12th victory at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial. Her main rival will be Denia Caballero, a former World Champion from Cuba.

Also worth noting is that the Memorial 110m hurdles race will feature Jamaican Omar McLeod, the Olympic champion from Rio and World Champion from London. In the javelin throw, Sara Kolak, Olympic gold medallist from Rio, will be competing, while in the 200 metres, spectators will see Julien Alfred, the current Olympic champion in the 100 metres, in action.

This year's edition to take place at two attractive locations

This year's 75th edition of the Boris Hanžeković Memorial, the oldest sporting competition in Croatia, will take place at two attractive locations: the Ivan Ivančić Memorial shot put competition and the Zagreb City Challenge featuring the women's high jump will be held next to the Zagreb Fountains on 22 May and 23 May respectively, while the main event, the 75th Boris Hanžeković Memorial, will take place at the Mladost Sports Park on 24 May.