Jakob Ingebrigtsen Returns

Norwegian record machine Jakob Ingebrigtsen returns to Ostrava after five years. This phenomenon of middle and long distances has achieved in his 24 years what others dream of their whole lives. Since his victory at the Golden Spike in 2020, where he won the 1500 meters with a time of 3:33.92, he has risen to the absolute world top. He holds world indoor or outdoor records in the 1500 m, mile, 2000 m, and 3000 m, as well as the best time for two miles. In the Olympics, he won two gold medals – in the 1500 m (Tokyo 2020) and 5000 m (Paris 2024). He is a double world champion in the 5000 m (2022, 2023), six-time European champion in the 1500 and 5000 m (2018, 2022, 2024), and after the last weekend, a seven-time European indoor champion. Ingebrigtsen is the most sought-after middle-distance runner in world athletics, and his start at this year's Golden Spike will be an exceptional event. He will decide which discipline to choose after the World Indoor Championships.

Lurdes Gloria Manuel vs. Femke Bol

Nineteen-year-old Lurdes Gloria Manuel, born in Ostrava, junior world champion and sensational semifinalist at the Paris Olympics, will start in the 400 m against her new training partner, the star Dutch athlete Femke Bol. Manuel broke the Czech junior record at the Golden Spike Ostrava 2024 with a time of 50.59, achieving the fourth-best European junior performance in history, the best junior performance in Europe since 1991, and meeting the Olympic qualification standard. It seems that the Ostrava stadium suits her well. One of the world's best athletes today, Bol, led two Dutch relay teams to victory as the anchor at the European Indoor Championships last weekend. During the summer season, she primarily competes in the 400 m hurdles, making her start in the flat 400 m even more valuable, especially as the indoor world record holder with a time of 49.17. This will be another attempt to improve the long-standing meeting record of Táňa Kocembová's 49.67 from 1983.

Gout Gout: The New Sprint Sensation

Another rising star gracing the start list of the 64th Golden Spike is Australian sprinter Gout Gout. This seventeen-year-old is quickly making his way through world athletics, and his appearance at the event promises to be thrilling. Often compared to the legendary Usain Bolt, Gout has what it takes to match or even surpass him. Gout will run the 200 m, having already achieved an impressive time of 20.04 at the age of 16 – faster than Bolt at that age. By the time of the Golden Spike, Gout aims to break the 20-second barrier, which could put him in contention for Bolt's meet record of 19.83 set in 2008. It will be his European professional debut.

Czech Stars Footprint

The recent European Indoor Championships in the Netherlands were successful for the Czech team, with high jumper Jan Štefela and shot putter Tomáš Staněk winning silver and bronze and both planning to compete in Ostrava against strong international competition. The start of other members of the bronze relay team, including Lada Vondrová, Tereza Petržílková, and Nikoleta Jíchová (400 m Hurdles), is also expected.

Vítkovice Athletes Shine

Vítkovice athletes will undoubtedly thrill the crowd too. Currently the fastest Czech woman, Karolína Maňasová, moved closer to the world elite with Czech records of 7.14 in the heats, 7.10 in the semifinals, and again 7.14 in the finals (8th place) at the European Indoor Championships. These were also European records for athletes under 23. Such a high-quality sprinter in the 60/100 m has never been seen in Czech athletics. In the summer, she can rightfully aim to break Jarmila Kratochvílová's national record of 11.09 from 1981. Maňasová ran the 100 m in 11.11 at the Olympics last year. New senior national team member quarter-miler Milan Ščibráni has had two relay starts in the national jersey at the European Indoor Championships. He improved to 46.49 at the Czech Championships and can aim for times under 46 seconds in the summer season. He will make his debut in the main program of the Golden Spike Ostrava on the 400 m.

Fan Zone and Tickets

For fans, a rich program awaits at the sports fan zone, including autograph sessions, souvenirs, sustainable catering, and more. Tickets are on sale at www.zlatatretra.cz, priced from 190 CZK to 1,500 CZK. Group ticket sales for schools and sports clubs have also started, with a price of 50 CZK per ticket for orders over 20.

Chocolate Spike

From April, participants can look forward to the first meetings with the Golden Spike through the traditional Chocolate Spike. In 2024, 14 rounds took place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, involving about 5,000 runners aged 6 to 11. Ambassadors from around the world, such as Jan Železný, Šárka Kašpárková, Ján Volko, Dana Velďáková, Táňa Netoličková, Zdeněk Stromšík, Anderson Peters, Jerome Blake, Leonardo Fabbri, and Zaynab Dosso, accompanied the competitions. This year's registrations are open on www.cokoladovatretra.cz, inviting all who want to earn their place in the finals at the Golden Spike Ostrava and fulfill their dreams.

International Broadcast

The international TV signal will broadcast the event live to 140 countries worldwide. In 2024, the viewership in the Czech Republic reached 400,000 viewers throughout the broadcast, with a media space value of 663 million CZK.

Support and Conclusion

A big thank you and final word goes to the most significant supporters of the Golden Spike Ostrava. "One of the world's best athletic meetings promises once again to offer a unique opportunity to see the best athletes in full force. I hope the energy from the top athletes' competitions inspires spectators in the stands and in front of TV screens to swap their couches and computer games for fields or gyms, following the example of athletic stars to choose a healthier lifestyle. The Moravian-Silesian Region supports major sports events for this motivation," said Jan Veřmiřovský, Deputy Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

"For Ostrava, 64 years of hosting this event prove that we can organize big events. Thanks to the Golden Spike, Ostrava is clearly visible on the world map, and its economic contribution is not negligible. I believe that together we will again create an unforgettable atmosphere and show that Ostrava is a dynamic city full of energy and hospitality. I wish all athletes good luck and spectators unforgettable experiences," said Aleš Boháč, Deputy Mayor of Ostrava.