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Stockholm

Rupp and Coburn the distance delight at the DN Galan

Stockholm’s 1912 Olympic stadium is set to greet the world’s finest track and field athletes to the eleventh leg of the IAAF Diamond League on Thursday evening, as the Swedish capital welcomes world-class athletics to the DN Galan meeting once again.

Following a five-week break, the IAAF Diamond League continues its season-long run as no less than 18 newly crowned continental champions are set to compete in the Stockholm stadium which holds the world record for the arena with the most world records at 83.

Long distance athlete, Galen Rupp and 3,000m steeplechase duo, Emma Coburn and Charlotta Fougberg met the world’s media this afternoon to discuss their summers so far and their aspirations for the event.

USA’s Rupp – the 28-year-old Olympic 10,000m silver medallist – clocked a fine 26:44.36 American 10,000m record in Eugene earlier this season and the world fourth placer had a 13:00.99 season’s best to his name.

“My season started out really well when I set the American record and I had solid runs in Oslo and Paris, then I went back home to get some training in so I’m excited to race in Stockholm,” Rupp explained.

“I surprised myself at Pre (in Eugene) – I knew I was in good shape and my main goal was to work on winning, I felt comfortable and relaxed and I made it a long drive for home from 800m to go. It’s all about committing and I learned a lot tactically from Paris – you can learn that in training.”

On his racing break and the recent new additions to his family, Rupp continued:

“The break worked out well, as it was a good chance to get some solid volume in and rest from competition.

“I’ve just been high-altitude training in St Moritz – I hope the race is quick but I really want to work on my tactics to win, that’s my primary goal.

“I’m definitely in shape to break the American record but it’s all about winning. I’m glad all of my races this season have been tactical as it’s like that in major championships so it’s good to prepare.

“It’s definitely a big change having two babies at home and it was the best moment of my life when they were born. You definitely need to make sacrifices but I’ve talked a lot with my wife, it’s a balancing act but my family is my first priority. There are a lot of times I have to leave them but we’ll try to make it work the best we can.”

Coburn, meanwhile is enjoying the form of her life in a superb breakthrough campaign which has seen the 23-year-old American record four lifetime bests including her latest, a 9:11.42 US record in Glasgow.

The winner in Shanghai and runner-up in Paris and Glasgow, Coburn revealed:

“Glasgow was a really fun race, I just try to run hard and it was great to get the record.

“There’s a great crowd and track here and it will be a fun race. It’s always great to get the opportunity to travel and race the best from around the world – we’re all at the top of our game and are ready to run fast so it’s always enjoyable racing them.

“I hope to run another personal best or get close to it. I underperformed when I was last here in 2012 as I was sick but I love visiting beautiful cities.

“I hope we have good conditions, I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do. I’d love to win here or in Zurich next week – I’ve been second a few times this year.”

On her improvement in 2014, the Olympic finalist explained:

“I was injured last year and nothing’s dramatically shifted in my training this year. I’m training with Jenny Simpson (the world 1500m silver medallist) and I’ve had more fire in my belly this year.

“I’ve achieved my goals this season so it’s just about having fun now and trying to end the season on a high note.

“There are very few race scenarios that are intimidating to me now as I’ve faced them all. There’s little pressure and it’s encouraging to keep getting faster.”

Sweden’s Fougberg claimed the European silver medal last week, which followed her 9:23.96 national record in Glasgow, and the 29-year-old European Team Championships winner said:

“I was very happy with the silver medal, it’s a very big medal for me so I’ve been happy every second since the race. I was in the lead until the final barrier which was so bad but I’m still happy.

“I had some calm days and then a really good session yesterday, and it’s so nice that people are now saying nice things about me – they didn’t talk to me very much before.

“I’m really looking forward to racing in what’s almost like my home town and I’m just focusing on doing a fast race by trying to stick with Emma.”

Nicola Bamford for the DN Galan organisers, Stockholm.

Where to watch Stockholm 2025

The 2025 Wanda Diamond League season continues in Stockholm on Sunday, June 15.

The action begins at 17:14 local time (GMT/UTC+2) with the women’s high jump and the main two-hour programme and global broadcast starts at 18:00 local time with the women’s 400m hurdles.

For information on where to watch in your territory, select the country you are in from the dropdown menu.

The list is subject to change. Please consult local TV schedules for definitive information.