The atmosphere at Stade Louis II was electric as the 2025 Herculis meeting, part of the prestigious Diamond League, turned into an unforgettable summer evening of elite athletics, emotional farewells, and record-breaking moments.
As the sun dipped behind the Mediterranean skyline, the night kicked off with Dutch shot put champion Jessica Schilder launching an impressive 20.39m throw. The competition ramped up across the track and field while Prince Albert II made his entrance, accompanied by Monegasque F1 icon Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Alexandra Saint-Mleux. The arrival of the Sovereign, warmly welcomed by the crowd, set the tone for an evening celebrating sporting excellence and international camaraderie.
In a nod to tradition and style, the Diamond League trophy was paraded in a vintage Mercedes 220, just before Australia’s rising sprint star Gout Gout stole the spotlight in the U23 200m with a blazing 20.10 finish.
But it was Femke Bol who truly lit up the night. The Dutch 400m hurdler delivered a stunning 51.95 – the fastest time in the world this year – and shattered the meeting record. She faced off against the legendary Dalilah Muhammad in an emotional intergenerational race that had fans on their feet.
The thrill continued with Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s sensational 800m performance, clocking 1:41.44 and rewriting the Herculis record books, while pole vault superstar Armand Duplantis soared to 6.05m, adding yet another record to his growing legacy.
The night closed on a high with Julien Alfred’s triumph in the women’s 100m, crowned before a glowing stadium. And with founder Jean-Pierre Schoebel honoured in his final year as event director, Herculis 2025 was not just a meeting—it was a moment in Monaco’s sporting history.