Track and field fans are in for a blockbuster clash on August 16, as Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson—the world’s fastest man this year—will square off against American sprint star Noah Lyles in the men’s 100 metres at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Silesia, Poland.

This highly anticipated encounter will mark the first head-to-head meeting between the two sprint titans since their thrilling duel in the Olympic 100m final last year in Paris. On that occasion, Lyles clinched gold in a lifetime-best 9.79 seconds, narrowly edging out Thompson by a mere five-thousandths of a second. Thompson, who was credited with the same time, had to settle for silver in one of the closest finishes in Olympic history.

Thompson has since emerged as the world leader in 2025 with a blistering 9.75 seconds clocked at the Jamaican National Championships. That performance not only solidified his status as the fastest man this season but also elevated him to sixth on the all-time men’s 100m list.

Lyles, meanwhile, comes into the Silesia showdown fresh off winning the U.S. 200m title at the American trials on Sunday. His 19.63-second performance over the half-lap is the fastest time in the world this year, underlining his form as he prepares to double in the 100m and 200m at upcoming global events. However, in the 100m rankings this season, Lyles currently sits 34th with a best of 10.00 seconds.

While the men’s sprint duel is generating global buzz, the women’s 100m promises to deliver fireworks of its own. Olympic champion Julien Alfred, the newly crowned queen of the distance from Paris, will face off against Poland’s home favourite Ewa Swoboda in what is expected to be another thrilling dash to the line.

The Silesia Kamila Skolimowska Memorial will also boast a stellar lineup of track and field superstars. Among them are multiple Olympic and World champions, including Faith Kipyegon, Femke Bol, Karsten Warholm, Armand Duplantis, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Gianmarco Tamberi, and Grant Holloway.

Adding to the star-studded field is the most recent addition, Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who recently shattered Stefka Kostadinova’s 37-year-old women’s high jump world record, adding extra excitement to what promises to be one of the standout meets on this year’s Diamond League calendar.