The Atlanta City Games will return for another edition this year when A-list athletes clash this weekend.

The games will be held at Piedmont Park on May 17, 2025. Dubbed as a 'day-long track and field festival,' the event has attracted star-studded athletes on the same weekend that the Doha Diamond League will be taking place in Qatar.

Reigning World and Olympic men's 100m champion Noah Lyles will headline the list of entries. The American will, however, run the unconventional 150m, the same race he has been running at the games.

Providing competition will be Ferdinand Omanyala, with the Kenyan returning for another round against Lyles. Others include world bronze medalist Zharnel Hughes, Alexander Ogando, Terrence Jones and Cheickna Traore.

Lyles came close to breaking the world record (world best) in the event last year. He clocked an impressive 14.35 seconds, which is just 0.06 seconds slower than the 14.41 Usain Bolt set in 2009.

"I wanted the world record, but I'll settle for the American. I'm hyped. I'm excited."

Omanyala competed in the 100m last year, which was won by Akani Simbine.

Speaking of Simbine, the South African will seek to continue his impressive start to the year when he competes in the men's 100m. Simbine has won the first two Diamond League races of the season. Coupled with the bronze medal he got at the world indoor championships, he is the most on-form sprinter this season.

He will face competition from two-time World 200m medalist Erriyon Knighton and Jamaican Oblique Seville.

In the women's 100m, Anavia Battle will be the favourite after stunning 200m champion Shericka Jackson in the Diamond League opener in Xiamen.

The women's 150m will be packed with Tamari Davis, Favour Ofili, Daryll Neita, Ashanti Moore and Kennedy Simon.

The women's 100m hurdles will also be a packed affair as the world record holder Tobi Amusan goes head to head with Kendra Harrison, Ackera Nugent, Tia Jones, Grace Stark, among others.

"Next Up: Adidas Atlanta City Games. I’ll be competing in the Women’s 100m Hurdles along with other amazing athletes from all over the world. Join us in person with free and open-to-the-public spectating," said the Nigerian on her social media.

The Atlanta City Games will be broadcast LIVE on NBC from 10 pm EAT.

Omanyala has had a mixed start to the 2025 season as he continues to build towards the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

He finished second behind Simbine in Xiamen but finished last a week later in Shanghai in the first two Diamond League races of the season.

The fastest man in Africa then helped Team Kenya at the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou to book their spot at the World Championships.

After Atlanta, Omanyala will fly to Rabat for the only Diamond League on home soil before jetting back home to headline the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on May 31.

Source: TUKO.co.ke