Norsk bokmål
Four international press conferences were on the agenda the day before the big day in Oslo. Here is the major quotes, collected by Carol Austin and Nicola Bamford, Oslo Media staff.
800 meter men:
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (KEN)
On following track and field in general – competing in the new Diamond League Fantasy League: and the future:
“Before I became an athlete, I enjoyed the marathon races and other track events. Maybe one day, I will try other events. I would like to do the half-marathon one day.”
Why are you so happy?
I was in Rabat and was supposed to be in Stockholm, but my wife gave me my first child four days ago.”
On running in Oslo:
“This is my second time running Oslo – the track is so fast so I’m happy”.
About milage in training:
I’ve been training at 160km per week and most of the time I train high up in the mountains. I’ve started to build my speed endurance so now I’m focusing on the speed and reducing the long runs. In the future, I’d like to do the half-marathon.”
On tomorrow’s race:
“If I can find myself in front, that will be good – hopefully my body will respond nicely, and I will go for it.”
“I can say that I believe anyone can run under 1:40 in a few years from now – as long as body’s responding, I can run fast. Maybe these guys will push me into the 1500m and it’s too early to talk about the Commonwealth Games.”
Cooper Lutkenhaus (USA)
On following track and field in general – and competing in the new Diamond League Fantasy League:
“Mostly I follow 800m of course, but I try to follow the others – especially the longer distances 1500m, 5000m and so on. I follow the men’s and women’s sides so I think I could do quite well in the new Diamond League Fantasy League.
On turning pro and entering the Diamond League:
“I would not have turned pro if I wasn’t ready and I feel I can combine my training with my studies. I come here to compete; you only ever as good as your last race so I need to keep working hard. I will be as competitive as I can.
On knowledge about Oslo Bislett Games:
“Obviously the Dream Mile is a race I have heard of. I have watched many races from here on TV. I watched Jakob (Ingebrigtsen) here run a very fast time a couple of years ago. I am super excited to run in this amazing stadium.”
On training:
“Just now I only do around 50k per week; I keep the focus on speedwork but, being younger, I keep the mileage lower. I am definitely more a 400/800m athlete at the moment as I am quite young. Maybe in the future I could move up to 1500m but not while I am younger.”
On tomorrow’s race:
“I will see what the pacemakers do, and I will try to get in a good position so I can make a move when I want to. But we will have to see how the race goes.
About the women’s 800 meter in Stockholm:
“The women’s 800 in Stockholm was great; I only saw the highlights, but it makes it exciting for us to see the women run so fast. I can see some more very fast times this year for the women.”
Tobias Grønstad (NOR):
On following track and field in general – and competing in the new Diamond League Fantasy League:
“Of course, I love watching all events but mainly running events and I try to be involved in all the Diamond Leagues. I enjoyed watching the women’s 800m in Stockholm – it was insanely fast and very inspiring.”
On the level of 800m at the moment:
“800m running is extremely fast now, the level is insane and it makes you raise your game in order to compete with the best guys. I’ve been training well with Fillip at altitude camps and learning from his experience – it’s been great and I believe in myself. I’ve been running a lot of around 140km a week – with the most being 170km. I enjoy sprinting so you’ll probably see me in a 400m before the 1500m.”
On tomorrow’s race:
“I hope to stick with the guys for as long as I can and hopefully keep with the pace and hopefully manage a personal best.”
Pole Vault men:
Emmanouil Karalis (GRE):
On the competition in Stockholm:
“I was watching it (Stockholm) live and I was so pleased for Kurtis. This is why sport is so good it could be someone else this week, hopefully me. The focus is now Oslo and we pray to the Oslo Gods for good weather tomorrow and we will see who wins.”
Sam Kendricks (USA):
On the extremely high level in pole vault:
“You can’t pick your era, you just fight to be a part of it. I remember these guys when they were really young pups – so much promise and I’m proud of how they’ve developed and joined me. We’re all battling for our place in history. These are the brightest I’ve ever seen these stars shine and I love it. I’ve been mistaken for Kurtis five times, such a compliment!”
Sondre Guttormsen (NOR):
On the extremely high level in pole vault:
“This era the level is incredible, and it pushes us all to jump higher. I watch the jumps of Mondo and Karalis and think it makes me think I can do it. It is mad that we can jump over six metres and not win.
“We are all friends as we travel everywhere together. We are one of the only events that go to all the competitions. We show up every time, win or lose. I drove all our poles from Stockholm to Oslo; that is how good friends we are.”
Kurtis Marschall (AUS):
On winning in Stockholm and beating Mondo Duplantis:
“It’s an interesting place to be. Mondo’s won for so long. I never thought I’d win a Diamond League. That was my 31st Diamond League and the stars aligned at last. I kept in the game, coped well in the conditions and came out on top. It’s a great vibe and we’re all great mates so it’s all good. We all support each other and have fun together.”
“It was mixed emotions to win in Stockholm. I was shocked to win but I obviously apologised to Mondo. We put on our best show but it doesn’t matter who wins. We have a great time and still all have a great time together in the bar after the meet.”
100 meter women and 200 meter men:
Julien Alfred (LCA):
On meeting Usain Bolt last year:
“My idol growing up was Usain Bolt and to meet him here last year was a special gift for me. I will cherish that moment for ever. I trained in Jamaica but never met him so it was very special.
On 100 meter v 200 meter:
“I think in college I preferred the 100m and hated the 200 but I did it sometimes to get the team some points. But after doing some 400m and 300m last year I have been enjoying the 200m much more. But I think 100m is still my focus and my strength.
On competing in the Commonwealth Games this year:
“St Lucia is part of the Commonwealth so we do have it in our schedule, but it will depend how my body is at the time.
On advising Gout Gout:
“My advice to someone young like Gout Gout is to enjoy the sport and have fun, trust your coach and those around you.”
Gout Gout (AUS):
On Tebogo as hero:
“I was only a baby when Bolt was at his best but I followed Tebogo’s career. I looked up to him. Tomorrow. we’re both going for the win and it’s very cool to be racing him.”
On Diamond League debut:
“Tomorrow is my first Diamond League so it’s a special event for me and against the big boys. It’s really a good competition and I’m glad I can come here and show my talent. I’ve got a good system around me and I just focus on running. Doing the media stuff is cool but I’m here to do my thing.”
On 200m v 100m:
“The 200m is my strength but as I get older, I’ll probably do the 100m. I’m looking forward to competing at the world junior championships this summer.”
On the life after 19.67:
“Life hasn’t changed too much. It’s still all about training and hanging out with friends. I got to go to the F1 in Miami, which was pretty sick.”
Letsile Tebogo (BOT):
On former sports and heroes:
“I used to want to play football, so my heroes were footballers but then I started running so of course my idol was Usain Bolt.”
On the fact that Gout Gout had him as a boyhood hero:
“To have the new guy on the block have me as a hero is an honour.”
On 100m v 200m:
“The Olympic title is mine for four years, so I have time to work on everything but you need to be very confident to run 100. In the 200m you have to get everything right for longer.
On advising Gout Gout:
“My advice would be to create your own journey and enjoy the process.
On tomorrow’s race:
“If the weather is ok then we could get the stadium record from Usain (Bolt) as we are all running well.”
400 meter hurdles:
Karsten Warholm (NOR):
On the World Soccer Championships:
“In football, I am always a Norway supporter, and I have watched the world cup every four years sad that Norway is not there. So this time I can enjoy the tournament more.”
On his opponents:
“I have never underestimated my opponents especially Alison. I went to China to win but we had good fights and it is great for the sport to have these battles. It is what people want to see.”
On the historical Bislett:
“I was watching the documentary about world records at Bislett Games yesterday and it is all about the head to heads that have taken place here. I hope I can add to this list but it is getting harder and harder with the level of the field now.”
On 2026:
“This year we can look a bit differently at the season as there is no Olympics so we are looking at a Norway mixed relay team which I think this will be fun but it will be hard work as we have to qualify.”
Alison Dos Santos (BRA):
On the extremely high level in 400 m hurdles:
“The era we’re in is complicated to digest. There’s been some super fast times that haven’t even got you the win. Now we’re embracing it. We’re all running fast and are pushing each other. I’m proud to be a part of this generation. It’s an honour to race these guys.”
On running in Oslo:“
I love Oslo. Everyone cheers for me. I’m really grateful for the support – it’s a great vibe. The crowds want to see a big fight and that’s great. They appreciate our rivalry.”
On running against Karsten:
“It’s 11-3 to Karsten over me so I need to narrow that gap. That’s embarassing. This year is all about trying to be different. Ttake some risks. This is the year for it and to enjoy ourselves, whilst running as fast as we possibly can.”
About Karstens strengths:
“Karsten’s aggressive and he works so hard, that’s his best quality and it’s great to watch. I’ve tried to be more aggressive but you need to be born with it like he is.”