by Larry Eder
There has been an American relationship with the Oslo Bislett for many years. 2025 was no excpetion. Here were the results of the 2025 Oslo Bislett, in regards to US athletes.
This writer has followed the Oslo Bislett Games for nearly 50 years. The love of the fans, the wonderful weather in Norway, and most of all the generations of fine athletes who competed in the Bislett Games. I promised Maurie Plante that I would visit the meet. Oslo is on my plans over the next couple of years to visit.
The Oslo Bislett Games were held on June 11-12, 2025 in historic Bislett Stadion. This is the 60th year of the Oslo Games, one of the most world-record friendly stadiums in the world.
This column is all about the US Performances in Oslo.
Women’s events
The 100 meters won by 2024 Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred was a fine 10.89, with Marie-Josee Ta Lou Smith in 11.00, but no Americans in the field.
On the women’s side, Isabella Whitaker overcame Henrietta Jager in the Women’s 400 meters, 49.58 to 49.62 in a very deep four hundred meters. Isabella also announced that she had moved from an NIL athlete for On to a full professional contract with On Running.
A promotional 10,0000m for Women was won by Yenawa Nbret, of Ethiopia in 30:28.82. Karoline Bjerkeli Grovdal, Norway, was fifth in 30:41.66. Calli Hauger-Thackery, GB was sisth in 30:50.64 (both Grovdal and Hauger-Thackery race a bit in the U.S.)
Dalilah Muhammad, USA, 2016 Olympic champion, showed tremendous form with her 53.34 run in Oslo. Anna Hall, who had just scored 7,032 points, equalling the #2 best heptathlon score, in Gotzis, had an issue with the last couple of hurdles and finished eighth in 68.99.
Several US women steeplers in 3000m steeplechase in Oslo after Faith Cherotich and her 9:02! Courtney Wayment, US, in sixth in 9:13.65.Gabby Jennings, US, in 8th in 9:20.85 and Olivia Markezich, US, 11th in 9:36.92.
Jasmine Moore, US, took third in the triple jump in 14.41m.
The USA had a small number of athletes in Oslo and others will be seen in Stockholm.
Men’s events
In the Men’s 200 meters, American Vernon Norwood was seventh in 20.67, and Kyree King was eighth in 20.79. The event was won by Cuba’s Reynier Mena in 20.20.
In a stacked Men’s mile, was by Portugal’s Isaac Nader, in 3:48.25, Vincent Ciattei, USA took eighth in 3:39.37!
The Men’s 5,000 meters was won by American superstar Nico Young, who ran a new AR of 12:45.27, with thirteen under 13 minutes. Cooper Teare, USA, was the last man under 13 minutes in 12:57.05!
In a strange event, made for Norway, Karsten Warholm battled Rai Benjamin. Karsten Warholm won in WR 32.67, with Rai Benjamin in second in 33.22. Trevor Bassitt, USA, was seventh in 34.65.
In the Pole Vault for men, Mondo Duplantis won in 6.15m a new meet record. Sam Kendricks, two time Olympic medalist and two time World Champ, was fifth in 5.62m.
In the triple jump, won by Jamaica’s Jordon Scott, Russell Robinson, USA, finished eighth in 16.50m.
