World Athletics Championship is the highest-level senior international outdoor track and field competition for the world’s preeminent runners, jumpers, throwers and race walkers. It is organised by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) and takes place every two years, with each edition held in a different location. Unlike the Olympic Games, which is only available to all athletes who have qualified in their respective events, the World Championships are open to all member federations. Since the first event in 1983, 36 world records have been set at the championships.
With 12 track and eight field events for men and women plus a mixed 4x100m relay, the World Championships are the most prestigious tournament in world sport. Men’s and women’s combined events (decathlon and heptathlon) as well as marathons and 20km and 35km race walks on the road are also part of the programme.
The final edition in Budapest in 2023 was truly unforgettable with 404,088 fans at the National Athletics Centre on the banks of the Danube generating an electrifying atmosphere that helped produce some spellbinding performances. There were many highlights including Femke Bol falling within sight of the line in a thrilling final of the women’s 3000m steeplechase, Italy’s Gianmarco Tambieri feeding off the roar of his home crowd to win a remarkable set of major high jump golds and US sprinters Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson claiming five gold medals between them.
Athletes are always pushed to the limit at the World Athletics Championship and this year was no exception. There was a great finish to the men’s marathon as Geordie Beamish of New Zealand produced his trademark devastating kick to win in style, dethroning Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.