For die-hard track fans, there’s nothing quite like the Monaco Diamond League to get the adrenaline pumping. Set against the glitzy backdrop of Stade Louis II, this meet is a pinnacle of track and field, renowned for its lightning-fast track that’s birthed countless record-breaking moments. With the 2025 edition just hours away, kicking off tomorrow, July 11, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But hold onto your hats, folks, because the excitement has taken a wild turn.

The Monaco Diamond League, slated to dazzle on July 11, 2025, has been dealt a crushing blow as reigning 110m hurdles champion Grant Holloway mysteriously pulls out, joining a growing list of elite athletes sidelined from this prestigious meet. After suffering a knee injury during a heavy front squat, causing swelling and subsequent withdrawals from Shanghai and Atlanta meets, Holloway made a lackluster return in DL Paris, finishing 5th in 13.11 s, a season best that, while off his peak, shows signs of regaining form. But his anticipated return to his form in Monaco dealt another blow.

According to a post by @_OwenM_ on July 9, 2025, Holloway’s name is conspicuously absent from the start list, alongside other big hitters: Tia Clayton and Tina Clayton (both Jamaican 100m sprinters), Sasha Zhoya (French 110m hurdler), Rhasidat Adeleke (Irish 400m star), and Pedro Pichardo (Portuguese triple jump ace). As a fan, seeing Holloway, the headline act, drop out raises red flags, especially after his lackluster return from injury. His absence isn’t just a personal blow; it’s a ripple effect that could dim the event’s shine. What’s behind this sudden exit?

Holloway, the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist with a blistering personal best of 12.81 seconds in the 110m hurdles, has been battling a tough road back. Earlier this year, a knee injury forced him to withdraw, and his recent performances, like a 13.72-second 10th-place finish, showed he’s not yet the dominant force we know. The lack of an official reason for his Monaco pullout, only adds to the mystery. Is this a cautious step to protect his recovery just before the US Nationals, or is something more serious brewing? Either way, the hurdles event loses its crown jewel.

And it’s not just Holloway’s story that’s shaking things up. The Clayton twins, known for their explosive 100m speed, and Adeleke, a 400m powerhouse, leaving the lineup leaves gaping holes. Zhoya and Pichardo’s withdrawals further dilute the field. With replacements stepping in, the meet still promises action, but can they fill the void left by these giants? Let’s dive into how this reshaped roster might play out.

Grant Holloway and Co’s replacement has been announced 

Well, as the Monaco Diamond League got hit by a shockwave with reigning 110m hurdles champ Grant Holloway’s mysterious pullout being the big highlight, the replacements for all the withdrawals.

Stepping into this void are fresh faces: Amy Hunt and Thelma Davies (British and Liberian 100m runners), Boglárka Takács (Hungarian 100m sprinter), Ja’Kobe Tharp (American 110m hurdler), Yemi Mary John (British 400m runner), and Amandine Brossier (French 400m athlete). These newcomers bring potential, with Tharp’s 13.05-second U20 title win offering hope to fill Holloway’s Olympic gold and 12.81-second personal best shoes.

Hunt and Davies aim to replace the Clayton twins’ speed, Tina and Tia as a finalist, while John and Brossier step up for Adeleke’s 49.07-second dominance. Zhoya’s 12.99s hurdle record and Pichardo’s 18.06m triple jump legacy loom large, challenging these athletes. Can they rise and keep Monaco’s magic alive?