Golden Discus Dominance Takes the Ring at The Prefontaine Classic
The discus ring at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon will be filled with gold when the Women’s Discus throwers compete at the 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic.
Valarie Allman (U.S.A) is the reigning back-to-back Olympic gold medalist in the women’s discus throw from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Allman is fresh off setting the American record (pending ratification) in the event this past weekend with a throw of 73.52m / 241’ 2”. A consistently dominant force and the current world-ranked No. 1 in the event, Allman owns two World Athletics Championship medals and four Diamond Trophies in addition to her two Olympic gold medals. Three of Allman’s top-ten all-time discus marks have occurred at Hayward Field, and she has won the last three Pre Classic Women’s Discus competitions.
Sandra Elkasević (CRO) is a fellow double Olympic gold medalist in the women’s discus throw, earning her honors at the 2012 London Olympic Games and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This past August, Elkasević took home the Olympic bronze medal in the event. Another dominant force in the ring, Elkasević owns five World Athletics Championships medals and seven Diamond Trophies in addition to her three Olympic medals. Her personal best mark (71.41m / 234’ 3” ) was thrown in 2017 and still stands as Croatia’s national record in the event.
Laulauga Tausaga (U.S.A.) is the reigning World Athletics Championships gold medalist, throwing 69.49m in Budapest to take home the title – the first American woman to ever win gold at a World Athletics Outdoor Championships in the discus. Tausaga is a new member to the 70-meter club, bettering her personal best to 70.72m / 232’ this past weekend. An NCAA champion while at the University of Iowa, three of Tausaga’s six best marks have been achieved at Hayward Field.
The 50th edition of The Prefontaine Classic will be held on Saturday, July 5 at Hayward Field. Tickets start at just $35 and may be purchased here. Lexus Legacy Experience VIP packages, which can be purchased in addition to an event ticket, are on sale now.