One of the biggest athletics showdowns of the year is set for Switzerland, as the men’s sprinting “big four”- Olympic Champion Noah Lyles, Silver medalist Kishane Thompson, finalist Oblique Seville, and Olympic medalist Kenny Bednarek are facing off at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 20.

The line-up, which could easily pass as a championship final, will see several rematches at play, among the common rivalries of the elite sprinters, in what is set to be a spectacular precursor to next month’s World Championships in Tokyo.

The main interest, of course, will orbit the clash between Thompson and Lyles, who, barring any withdrawal’s will face off for the first time since that epic 100m Olympic in Paris, which saw the American pip the Jamaican sensation by 100th of a second for gold in a nailbiting photofinish.

Thompson, who logged a world-leading 9.77 heading into last year’s Olympics, has looked far superior this year, improving his PB to a world-leading 9.75 seconds heading into the meet, which, based on the conditions and competition, could be lowered further.

Speaking of Olympic rematches, Lyles will again face off with fellow finalist Seville, who turned the tables on him at the Monaco Diamond League to comfortably beat him in PB 9.83 seconds on his league debut ahead of the American 10.00, which was also his season opener in the event.

His rivalry with countryman, US Champion Bednarek, will also attract keen interest, following their on-track dispute at the crossing of the line after the 200m at the US trials over the weekend. “Kung Fu Kenny enters the race with the second fastest time this year, 9.79s, which he logged to win the finals despite Noah’s absence, who used his automatic qualification being world champion.