Noah Lyles Heading to Ostrava Golden Spike. Gianmarco Tamberi returns.

The American athlete is known as a great showman. He’s already won plenty of medals, but hasn’t yet set too many records. The fast track in Ostrava could be the place for the historically fastest standalone 150 m with a curve. Just last weekend, his main 100 m rival, Jamaican Kishane Thompson, set a new record of 14.92 s. Beating him will be the goal at Ostrava Golden Spike. "We’ve been trying to bring Noah to Ostrava for several years, and it finally worked this year. The 150 m distance is perfect for sprinters for whom 100 m is too short and 200 m too long. Noah Lyles chose this specific discipline. It will be an exceptional experience and will be exclusive to Golden Spike. Although it won’t be the first time the 150 m was run at the meeting – in 2020, Arthur Cissé from Côte d’Ivoire won it in 15.15 s. Let’s also remember 1997, when the legendary 150 m duel Donovan Bailey vs. Michael Johnson for $1 million took place in Toronto,” says the meeting manager Alfons Juck. "I'm thrilled to compete at the Golden Spike in Ostrava, Czech Republic. This meet is truly special to me—I've followed it for years, witnessing world-leading performances, world records, and the sport's brightest talents. I hope to etch my name in its history. I'll race the 150m and aim to attack the world best. Don't miss it—grab your tickets. June 16th, see you there!" Lyles said.

Tamberi vs. Štefela, Swoboda vs. Maňasová

Czech stars will face strong international rivals this year. In the high jump sector, now located on the opposite side of the stadium by Stand C (formerly the pole vault sector), the best Czech athlete of 2026 and last year’s world championship medalist Jan Štefela will compete against the legendary and unmistakable Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy. Tamberi is returning for his fourth appearance at Ostrava Golden Spike, where he has one victory from 2022. The 33-year-old jumping legend and showman has won every possible title – Olympic, World, European, and both indoor World and European championships.

The fastest Czech female sprinter of today, Karolína Maňasová, will face her rival and friend from neighboring Poland, Ewa Swoboda. Swoboda holds the Polish national 100 m record of 10.94 s. Maňasová, with a personal best of 11.11 s (and 7.05 s indoors over 60 m this season), will aim to challenge the Czech record of 11.09 s set by Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1981.Karolína Maňasová: "Racing at Ostrava Golden Spike is massive motivation for me first and foremost. Ostrava always draws top-class fields, and I'm personally hyped for Ewa Swoboda—she'll pull me to a fast time, I believe. I'm already buzzing for that electric atmosphere only the home crowd can deliver."

Hurdle sprints packed with record-breaking potential

Another highlight will be the hurdle sprints, featuring the fresh indoor world champions from Toruń. In the women’s 100 m hurdles, both world record holders will compete: Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, with a summer world record of 12.12 s and last year’s Ostrava Golden Spike win in 12.45 s, and Devynne Charlton from the Bahamas, with a 60 m indoor best of 7.65 s. Joining them will be Dutch silver medalist from the World Indoor Championships Nadine Visser, who holds a personal best of 12.28 s. The meet record of 12.42 s from 2023 will be under serious threat. On the men’s 110 m hurdles, Polish athlete Jakub Szymański, who defeated the best Americans in Toruń, will challenge a time close to the Polish record, which he co-holds at 13.25 s. In both hurdle sprints, the best domestic athletes will also take part.

Karalis, Moon, Manuel, Švábíková

This year’s edition will also feature numerous other world stars already announced. Fans can look forward to Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis, one of the best jumpers today and currently the only athlete capable of challenging the heights of the phenomenal Mondo Duplantis. In the women’s pole vault, American Katie Moon, Olympic champion and three-time world champion, will make her debut. Spectators will also see experienced Slovenian vaulter Tina Šutej, indoor 800 m world champion Josh Hoey aiming for a 1000 m world record at Zlatá tretra against European silver medalist Mohammed Attaoui of Spain, and javelin throwers Anderson Peters and Adriana Vilagos. In the shot put, Americans Tom Walsh and Jordan Geist will compete for the crystal tretra.

Czech athletics will also have a strong presence. 400 m runner Lurdes Gloria Manuel, recently crowned indoor world champion in Toruń, will compete. Pole vaulter Amálie Švábíková, shot putter Tomáš Staněk, and javelin thrower Nikola Ogrodníková, returning after maternity leave, will also participate.

Chocolate Tretra with Noah Lyles

The program will include the popular Chocolate Spike. In the international semifinals, held the day before the main meet, young athletes will get a unique chance to meet top stars and divine Noah Lyles. Children reaching the semifinals will experience an extraordinary atmosphere, and the best will compete in the finals – on the day of Osrava Golden Spike – on the big stadium in front of packed stands.

For the first time, a joint Czech and Slovak championship in the 10,000 m for men and women will also take place. These races will be held on Monday, June 15, in the evening with additional international participation.

The jubilee 65th Zlatá tretra Ostrava takes place on June 16, 2026, promising an extraordinary sporting spectacle combining world stars, top domestic athletes, and the next generation of talents.

Last year’s edition was completely sold out, so we recommend securing tickets in advance.