Swedish pole vault king Armand Duplantis remains in top form. He recently secured a victory at the Diamond League meeting in Shanghai on May 3rd. The two-time Olympic champion Duplantis was not the only vaulter to soar above six meters. Greek vaulter Emmanouil Karalis also cleared the barrier, reaching 6.01m on his first attempt. The phenomenal Swedish vaulter then cleared an additional ten centimeters on his first try, winning with a height of 6.11m-a mark Karalis could not match. Zlatá Tretra Ostrava will witness another thrilling duel between these exceptional vaulters, as Karalis also confirmed his participation and aims to avenge his recent defeat.

“It’s great to be back in Ostrava. Vaulting right in front of the main stand, that direct contact with the fans is something I really enjoy. The stadium is just a few minutes from the hotel, which is a big advantage for athletes. By the time of the meet, I’ll have several competitions under my belt, so I should be ready for a strong performance. Maybe I’ll even try to attack the meeting record of 6.12m, or even go higher. A lot depends on the weather, too. I believe the stands will be packed and the fans will push us forward,” said Armand Duplantis.

At just 25 years old, Duplantis is already considered the greatest pole vaulter of all time and the best athlete in the world today. Over the past five years, he has only been breaking his own records. He has cleared six meters more times than all other current vaulters combined. He is the only vaulter in history to set the world record eleven times consecutively, most recently indoors this year with an incredible 6.27m. All signs suggest he will soon raise the bar even higher. In Ostrava, spectators will see him fly in the clouds for the fourth time. His meeting record from 2023 stands at 6.12m.

“Zlatá Tretra Ostrava is a symbol of world-class athletics for our city. This prestigious event not only attracts the best athletes from around the world but also showcases Ostrava as a vibrant center of sporting activity. Our long-term support for the meeting is proof of our commitment to developing sport and raising Ostrava’s profile on the global stage. We are proud to be part of this exceptional tradition, which continues to inspire new generations of athletes,” said Jan Dohnal, Mayor of Ostrava.

Spectators can also look forward to one of the most popular athletes in the world and the latest protégé of javelin legend Jan Železný - Neeraj Chopra! He made history as the Olympic champion in Tokyo 2020 (86.65m) and as the first Indian athlete to win a World Championships gold in 2023 (personal best 89.94m). His performances are followed by tens of millions of fans, not only in his native India. In 2024, he added Olympic silver (89.45m), showing that his javelin career is just beginning.

“Zlatá Tretra has long held the reputation as one of the most prestigious athletics meets. The proof is not only in the breathtaking performances we can see from the stands but also in the participation of big names. I am especially looking forward to Neeraj Chopra. The javelin is my favorite event-probably like every Czech. I am proud that the Moravian-Silesian Region is a partner of Zlatá Tretra. This event proves that sport belongs in our region and thrives here,” commented Josef Bělica, Governor of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Chopra’s start at the Diamond League in Doha on May 16 is highly anticipated. On May 24, he will compete at his first javelin meeting in Bengaluru, India. The life and career of Neeraj Chopra form one inspiring story, and Ostrava will witness the next chapter in June. He has wanted to compete at Zlatá Tretra several times before, but obstacles-most recently an injury-prevented him. Last year, he visited as a guest.

“I am excited to announce that I will be competing at Zlatá Tretra Ostrava this year. It’s a legendary meet and this edition will be extra special. My coach Jan Železný not only won there many times but is also the director of the event. I am feeling great and hope you will see some really nice and long throws. I look forward to meeting you all,” said Neeraj Chopra enthusiastically.

Zlatá Tretra will also welcome Olympic champion and two-time Diamond League winner Haruka Kitaguchi. The Japanese javelin thrower started her season with a fourth-place finish at the Diamond League in Shanghai, throwing 60.88m under the guidance of Czech coach David Sekerák.

Other announced stars for this year’s edition include Norwegian record machine Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who has confirmed his event-his first 1500m of the summer season. Dutch 400m hurdler Femke Bol will also run in Ostrava, alongside Czech athletes Jakub Vadlejch, Lurdes Gloria Manuel, Amálie Švábíková, Tomáš Staněk, Jan Štefela, and the fastest Czech woman Karolína Maňasová. Rising sprint star Gout Gout, fresh from a strong Australian season and with legal wind, has dipped under 10 and 20 seconds and will run the 200m at Zlatá Tretra, eyeing Usain Bolt’s meeting record of 19.83s from 2008.

This year, Zlatá Tretra Ostrava partners with the independent Czech sports brand Bimystake, developing top-tier competition gear. The brand was founded on the idea that mistakes in sport are not failures, but moments that shape, push, and transform performance into something extraordinary. Bimystake brings sustainable equipment to Zlatá Tretra, developed in collaboration with Olympic coaches and world-class athletes.

“Our goal is to bring fresh energy into the world of athletics and support athletes on their journey to exceptional performances. The partnership with Zlatá Tretra is an honor and an opportunity to be part of an inspiring community that pushes the boundaries of human potential,” said Petr Svoboda, Czech record holder in the 110m hurdles and company representative.

For fans, the stadium will host a rich program in the sports fan zone on Tuesday, June 24, starting at 2:30 PM, including autograph sessions, souvenirs, sustainable catering, and more. The main program kicks off at 6:00 PM.

Tickets for Zlatá Tretra Ostrava are available at tickets.zlatatretra.cz from 190 CZK. Organizers recommend securing tickets well in advance. Group tickets for schools, clubs, and institutions (minimum 20) are available for 50 CZK each.

Since April, the traditional Čokoládová Tretra has been underway. After two rounds, over 700 children have taken part. Young athletes still have eight Czech and four Slovak rounds ahead. Registration is open at www.cokoladovatretra.cz; entry is free, and everyone is invited to fight for a spot in the Zlatá Tretra Ostrava final and fulfill their dreams.

This year, the international TV signal will broadcast Zlatá Tretra live to 140 countries. In 2024, viewership in the Czech Republic reached 400,000, and the media value of the event was 663 million CZK.