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Last Sunday, Norway won gold in the 4×400 meters at the World Relays in Botswana. The day after came the confirmation that all four gold medallists will compete in Diamond League events at the Bislett Games on June 10.
The trio of Henriette Jæger, Josefine Tomine Eriksen Aks, and Lakeri Ertzgaard will run the 400 meters, while Amalie Iuel will compete in the 400-meter hurdles.
– After what they delivered in Botswana, we want these girls to have the opportunity to showcase themselves at the biggest athletics event in the country, said Bislett Games meeting director Steinar Hoen.
Jæger Chasing Victory
At last year’s Bislett Games, Henriette Jæger was beaten by just four hundredths of a second by American Isabella Whittaker. On June 10, the athlete will be chasing her first Bislett victory and her third Diamond League win overall.
Jæger endured a disastrous World Indoor Championships in Poland last winter, where she stumbled in the 400-meter final, stepped inside the lane line, and fell out of contention for gold.
But she has bounced back brilliantly, and last Sunday she ran Norway to gold at the World Relays in Botswana with a flying-start anchor leg of 48.91.
There is no doubt that the Norwegian record of 49.49 is under serious threat.
But keep an eye on the youngest athlete in the field – and also the one with the slowest personal best.
Czech runner Lurdes Gloria Manuel took victory at the aforementioned championships in Poland, where she defeated both Natalia Bukowiecka, Lieke Klaver, and an unfortunate Jæger.
And So Is Amalie
The fourth member of the relay quartet, Amalie Iuel, will also take on one lap but with hurdles.
After opening the season with a new personal best of 54.12 in Nairobi on April 24, followed by two brilliant relay legs in Botswana, there is no doubt she is targeting Line Kloster’s Norwegian record of 53.91 from 2022.
She will face a strong and experienced field that could provide exactly the kind of pace assistance she needs, including Bergen-based Naomi Van Den Broeck.
Confirmed Participants – Women’s 400 Meters
Nickisha Pryce (Jamaica)
Personal best: 48.57.
Finished eighth at the 2025 Olympics.
Natalia Bukowiecka (Poland)
Personal best: 48.90.
Bronze medallist at the 2024 Olympics. Silver medallist at the 2023 World Championships. Silver medallist at the 2026 World Indoor Championships. European champion in 2024 and silver medallist in 2022. European U23 champion in 2019.
Amber Anning (Great Britain)
Personal best: 49.29.
Finished fifth at the 2024 Olympics and 2025 World Championships. Gold medallist at the 2025 World Indoor Championships. Silver medallist at the 2019 European U20 Championships.
Henriette Jæger (Norway)
Personal best: 49.49.
Finished eighth at the 2024 Olympics. Seventh at the 2025 World Championships. Bronze medallist at the 2025 World Indoor Championships and seventh in 2026. Silver medallist at the 2025 European Indoor Championships. Fourth at the 2022 World U20 Championships.
Lieke Klaver (Netherlands)
Personal best: 49.58.
Finished fourth at the 2022 World Championships and sixth in 2023. Silver medallist at the 2024 World Indoor Championships and bronze medallist in 2026. Bronze medallist at the 2024 European Championships. Gold medallist at the 2025 European Indoor Championships and silver medallist in 2023.
Lurdes Gloria Manuel (Czech Republic)
Personal best: 50.52.
2026 World Indoor champion. 2024 World U20 champion. 2023 European U20 champion.
Josefine Tomine Eriksen Aks (Norway)
Personal best: 51.43.
Lakeri Ertzgaard (Norway)
Personal best: 51.91.
Confirmed Participants – Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles
Anna Cockrell (USA)
Personal best: 51.87.
Silver medallist at the 2024 Olympics. Fourth at the 2025 World Championships. 2016 World U20 champion.
Jasmine Jones (USA)
Personal best: 52.08.
Silver medallist at the 2025 World Championships. Fourth at the 2024 Olympics.
Emma Zapletalova (Czech Republic)
Personal best: 53.00.
Bronze medallist at the 2025 World Championships. 2021 European U23 champion.
Naomi Van Den Broeck (Belgium)
Personal best: 53.65.
Finished sixth at the 2025 World Championships.
Amalie Iuel (Norway)
Personal best: 54.12.
Finished fifth at the 2022 European Championships. Sixth in 2016.