HSH Prince Albert II has announced the participation of World Champions Katerina Stefanidi and Mutaz Essa Barshim for the next edition of Herculis EBS, which will take place on July 20, 2018.
The announcement was made during a cocktail organised to celebrate the success of the 2017 edition, the scene of the last victory of Usain Bolt.
Both athletes said they were excited to be the first athletes announced for Herculis EBS 2018. Katerina Stefanidi commented: “I can’t wait to be back in Monaco to compete in 2018, I grew up watching this meet and it was a dream of mine to be on the track at Stade Louis II since I first began jumping.”
Mutaz Barshim added: “I’m happy to be back to meeting Herculis EBS. I Love this place, as there is always good weather, spectators are really supportive, and the meeting is well organised. Next year I plan on something remarkable, at least the meeting record.”
Katerina Stefanidi was crowned World Champion of Pole Vault in London with a National Record (and world lead) of 4.91m, and completed her unbeaten streak this past summer by winning the IAAF Diamond League at the Memorial Van Damme in Brussels. She is now the holder of all major outdoor titles (Olympic Champion in Rio and European Champion in Amsterdam in 2016).
Mutaz Essa Barshim was also undefeated this summer, including a victorious jump at the IAAF World Championships in August and the IAAF Diamond League title in Weltklasse Zurich. Barshim owns the current high jump world lead with 2.40m, jumped during Birmingham Muller Grand Prix, and most important the current Diamond League record with a jump of 2.43m (second best performer of all-time).