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When the American 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus steps onto Bislett Stadium for the first time on Wednesday, June 10, he does so as the reigning indoor world champion – and as the youngest world champion in athletics history, both indoors and outdoors.
Last summer, the super talent set a high school record and a world U18 record with 1:42.27 and became the youngest American athlete ever to compete at a World Championships.
Cooper Lutkenhaus exclusive: “I’m living my dream pretty early.”
This winter, he first improved the indoor U20 world record to 1:44.03 before running 1:44.24 in the semifinal and 1:44.29 in the final at the World Indoor Championships.
At Bislett, we will truly see whether he is already ready to take on the best in the world.
On the starting line are, among others, the third-, fourth-, and fifth-fastest men in history: Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Marco Arop, and Djamel Sedjati.
The trio also made up the podium at the Paris 2025 Olympics and last year’s World Championships in Tokyo, and between them they have 22 Diamond League victories.
Is Bislett set for a generational shift, or will the established stars still hold their ground?
Confirmed participants:
Cooper Lutkenhaus (USA)
Born December 19, 2008.
Personal best: 1:42.27.
19th fastest in history.
World Indoor Champion 2026.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya)
Born August 1, 2004.
Personal best: 1:41.11.
3rd fastest in history.
Reigning Olympic and World Champion.
Diamond League 800m winner 2023–2025.
12 Diamond League wins (800m).
Marco Arop (Canada)
Born September 20, 1998.
Personal best: 1:41.20.
4th fastest in history.
Olympic silver medallist 2024, World Champion 2023.
5 Diamond League wins (800m).
Djamel Sedjati (Algeria)
Born May 3, 1999.
Personal best: 1:41.46.
5th fastest in history.
Olympic bronze medallist 2024, World Championships silver medallist 2025.
5 Diamond League wins (800m).
Mohamed Attaoui (Spain)
Born September 26, 2001.
Personal best: 1:42.04.
12th fastest in history.
5th place at the 2024 Olympics and 2025 World Championships.
5 Diamond League wins (800m).