An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026.&nbsp;
Any professional photographer who has attended an athletics event in 2026 can take part in the World Athletics Photograph of the Year.&nbsp;
Photographers are requested to <a href="https://site.picter.com/2026-wa-photo-of-the-year-award" target="_blank" rel="noopener">submit one photograph via the online form</a> and include a caption, the date the photograph was taken, the image's technical information and a short photographer bio (no more than 50 words). Entries should be no larger than 5MB and must be received by 11:59pm Monaco time on 30 October.&nbsp;
A panel of five experts will judge all eligible photographs and select three finalists. The finalists will be revealed on 9 November and a fan vote to help determine the winner will be held on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/worldathletics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics&rsquo; Instagram channel</a> from 9-15 November.&nbsp;
The winner will be announced on 28 November, ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.&nbsp;
&bull; <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/6ace5c50093817b4f66ed77a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full contest rules&nbsp;</a>
&nbsp;
The panellists are:&nbsp;
Usain Bolt Jamaican sprint superstar Bolt has been the subject of some of the most iconic photographs in athletics. The fastest man of all time, he set his world 100m and 200m records of 9.58 and 19.19 during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin to win two of the 19 senior global titles he claimed throughout his sensational sprinting career. He retired in 2017 but remains involved in the sport, most recently through his role as Ultimate Legend for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. 
Christel El Saneh El Saneh is the digital creative manager at World Athletics, managing photography and visual content across digital platforms. She joined World Athletics in 2021 and covered the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a photographer. The long jumper has spent most of her life in athletics and her journey has included forming part of the IOC Young Leader and Young Reporters programmes.
Dawn Harper-Nelson During her highly successful athletics career, Harper-Nelson won four global medals in the 100m hurdles, including the Olympic title in Beijing in 2008. She also secured Olympic silver in 2012, as well as world silver in 2017 and world bronze in 2011. She is now an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, speaker and recently served as the infield host for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Pascal Rondeau Rondeau started his sports photography career in London for the prestigious Allsport photography agency. He then led the photo department of L&rsquo;Equipe newspaper in Paris. Over the past 30 years, he has covered eight Summer Olympic Games and a range of other major sports events. He was appointed Venue Photo Manager at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Photo Chief at Paris 2024. 
Dan Vernon Vernon has been an athletics photographer and filmmaker for more than a decade, capturing many of the most iconic moments in the sport. He creates athlete documentaries and has covered two Olympic Games and numerous major athletics championships and one-day meetings, frequently capturing the action for World Athletics channels. He has documented the careers of athletes including marathon great Eliud Kipchoge.

An award for the best athletics photograph of the year will once again be presented as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2026. 

Best photographs of 2026 to be showcased as part of World Athletics Awards

World Athletics is inviting applications for two independent members to join its Nominations Panel ahead of the next cycle of appointments to various World Athletics bodies.
Established in 2019 as part of World Athletics' governance reforms, the Nominations Panel is responsible for identifying, recruiting and assessing candidates for positions on World Athletics commissions, panels and other bodies, and making recommendations to the World Athletics Council.
The panel is being expanded to provide additional capacity and expertise, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 World Athletics Election Congress. Following the expansion, it will comprise seven members, including five independent members.
World Athletics is seeking candidates with a strong background in athletics administration or significant experience in recruitment, appointments or human resources. Experience in sports administration is desirable.
The two successful candidates will be appointed by the World Athletics Council in December 2026, with their terms running until after the 2029 World Athletics Congress. The positions are voluntary and unpaid, with most of the panel's work conducted remotely.
Applications should include a CV, a covering letter outlining relevant experience, contact details and details of three referees.
Applications must be submitted to <a href="mailto:panel-candidates@worldathletics.org">panel-candidates@worldathletics.org</a> by 23:59 CET on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
Further information, including the full selection criteria and application requirements, can be found in the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/documents/elections-appointments#collapseworld-athletics-nominations-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">position description</a>.

World Athletics is inviting applications for two independent members to join its Nominations Panel

World Athletics seeks two new members for Nominations Panel

<h3>The 2027 Wanda Diamond League season will begin in Doha on 7 May and end at the two-day final in Zurich on 25-26 August</h3>
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 One of the most testing journeys in global sport will begin again next May as the Wanda Diamond League returns for its 18th season.
The full <a href="https://www.diamondleague.com/calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diamond League calendar for 2027 has now been published</a>. From May to August, the world&rsquo;s best athletes will go head to head across 15 cities and four continents as they battle to qualify for the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich and win one of the sport&rsquo;s most prestigious titles.
The road to the final begins in Doha on 7 May before back-to-back Chinese meetings in Shanghai/Keqiao and Xiamen.
The series then heads to Rome on 27 May and touches down on African soil in Rabat three days later.
The sport&rsquo;s biggest stars return to Europe in June, with three stops in Oslo, Stockholm and Paris.
The US leg will take place in Eugene on 3 July, before meetings in Monaco, Lausanne and London later that month.
Athletes will have two more chances to pick up points in Silesia and Brussels in August, before the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich on 25-26 August.
The winners in Zurich will be crowned Diamond League champion in their discipline, joining <a href="https://www.diamondleague.com/results-standings/past-champions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a star-studded roll of honour</a> that includes some of the biggest names in athletics history, including Usain Bolt, Allyson Felix, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Faith Kipyegon and Mondo Duplantis.
Broadcast in more than 170 territories and reaching a social media audience of 6.8 million followers and 1.7 billion impressions worldwide, the Diamond League is the beating heart of the outdoor athletics season.
In 2027, it will also provide a crucial test of form ahead of the World Athletics Championships Beijing 27 in September.
2027 Wanda Diamond League calendar 7 May &ndash; Doha 15 May &ndash; Shanghai/Keqiao 22 May &ndash; Xiamen 27 May &ndash; Rome 30 May &ndash; Rabat 3 June &ndash; Oslo 6 June &ndash; Stockholm 25 June &ndash; Paris 3 July &ndash; Eugene 9 July &ndash; Monaco 13 July &ndash; Lausanne 17 July &ndash; London 15 August &ndash; Silesia 20 August &ndash; Brussels 25-26 August&nbsp; &ndash; Zurich (WDL Final)
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2027 Wanda Diamond League season will begin in Doha on 7 May and end at the two-day final in Zurich on 25-26 August

Wanda Diamond League publishes 2027 calendar

Philemon Kiriago secured his second consecutive overall World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup title with victory in the classic race at D&eacute;fi des Couleurs in Quebec on Sunday (11), while Germany&rsquo;s Nina Engelhard completed a dominant weekend double.
Kenya&rsquo;s Kiriago won the approximately 16km classic up-and-down race in 1:11:24, holding off USA&rsquo;s Mason Coppi by 19 seconds, while Canada&rsquo;s Remi Leroux finished third in 1:13:21.
The result took Kiriago to 396 points in the overall World Cup standings, comfortably clear of compatriots Richard Atuya (290) and Michael Saoli (223), and confirmed his second successive overall title.
Kiriago had finished fourth in Saturday&rsquo;s uphill race but returned to the front 24 hours later. He pushed the pace from the opening climb and soon began to stretch the field, with Leroux and Coppi emerging as his closest challengers.
At the first summit Kiriago led Coppi by 22 seconds, with Leroux and Italy&rsquo;s Tiziano Moia following. The chasing group remained within range through the steep second ascent of Mont-Sainte-Anne, but Kiriago maintained control before the decisive final 4km descent.
Coppi closed strongly and reduced the gap in the closing stages, but Kiriago held on to take victory in 1:11:24. Coppi followed in 1:11:43, with Leroux third in 1:13:21. Mexico&rsquo;s Brayan Rodriguez finished fourth in 1:15:02, four seconds ahead of USA&rsquo;s Adam Sjolund.
Engelhard, meanwhile, completed a clean sweep of the women&rsquo;s races after following Saturday&rsquo;s uphill victory with another emphatic performance in the classic event.
The reigning world uphill and classic champion went to the front early and steadily opened a gap on the first climb. Kenya&rsquo;s Joyce Muthoni Njeru and USA&rsquo;s Erin Moyer initially led the chase, while France&rsquo;s Nelie Clement also moved into contention.
By the first summit Engelhard&rsquo;s advantage had grown to more than a minute. Clement then passed Njeru on the second climb and briefly looked set for second place, but Njeru used her descending strength to regain the position with about 3km remaining.
Engelhard was never threatened and went on to win in 1:20:34, more than three minutes clear of Njeru, who finished second in 1:23:45. Clement was just six seconds behind in third, with Italy&rsquo;s Arianna Dentis fourth in 1:27:09 and Moyer fifth in 1:27:11.
Njeru&rsquo;s runner-up finish proved significant in the battle for the overall women&rsquo;s World Cup title. With leader Ruth Gitonga unable to travel to Canada because of visa issues, Njeru drew level with her compatriot on 384 points.
Gitonga nevertheless retained the overall title on countback, having recorded more victories during the season. Britain&rsquo;s Kirsty Skye Dickson finished third overall with 264 points.
The classic race also decided the final discipline standings. Gitonga won the women&rsquo;s classic classification with 150 points, ahead of Njeru (92) and Dentis (84). Saoli topped the men&rsquo;s standings with 100 points, while Ephantus Njeri and Atuya tied for second on 92.
A day earlier, Engelhard had laid the foundations for her weekend double with a commanding victory in the uphill race, held over a course beginning near the Jean Larose Falls before climbing just over 3km through the ski slopes to the summit of Mont-Sainte-Anne.
The German moved ahead early and had already created a gap by the 2km point. Dickson, Njeru and Canada&rsquo;s Elisa Morin initially formed the chase group, but Engelhard continued to extend her advantage on the climb.
She eventually won in 31:43, finishing 1:49 ahead of Dickson, who clocked 33:32. Moyer completed the podium in 33:44, with Clement fourth and Switzerland&rsquo;s Celine Aebi fifth.
The men&rsquo;s uphill race produced a surprise victory for USA&rsquo;s Meikal Beaudoin Rousseau.
A group of about 10 athletes, including Kiriago, Leroux, Cameron Smith and Mason Coppi, remained closely bunched through the flatter opening 2km before the race began to stretch out on the climb.
Leroux initially led with Kiriago close behind, but Beaudoin Rousseau made the decisive move approaching the finish and went on to win in 28:55.
Leroux finished second in 29:04 and Smith third in 29:12, while Kiriago was fourth and Italy&rsquo;s Andrea Elia fifth. Britain&rsquo;s 21-year-old Edward Hobbs finished sixth.
The uphill races also determined the final World Cup standings in that discipline. Atuya won the men&rsquo;s title with 142 points, ahead of Kiriago (110) and Patrick Kipngeno (100).
Njeru took the women&rsquo;s uphill title with 134 points, with Dickson second on 126 and Gitonga third on 110.
The D&eacute;fi des Couleurs weekend brought the 2026 WMRA World Cup to a close, with Kiriago and Gitonga crowned overall champions after a season spanning uphill, classic and long-distance racing.
With assistance from Kirsty Reade (WMRA)

Philemon Kiriago secured his second consecutive overall WMRA World Cup title with victory in the classic race at Défi des Couleurs in Quebec

Kiriago retains WMRA World Cup title as Engelhard completes Quebec double

Hawi Feysa retained her Bank of America Chicago Marathon title in 2:13:33 and Amos Kipruto won the men&rsquo;s race in 2:01:09 as both athletes moved up the world all-time lists at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (11).
Feysa produced a decisive late surge to defeat two-time Boston Marathon champion Sharon Lokedi, improving her PB by 84 seconds to move to fourth on the world all-time list. Lokedi followed in 2:14:07, moving to eighth all time, while former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei was third in 2:14:55. It was the first marathon in history in which three women finished inside 2:15.
Kipruto, meanwhile, completed his progression through the Chicago podium positions. Third in 2024 and second last year, the Kenyan broke away from pre-race favourite Jacob Kiplimo in the second half and held on for a 2:01:09 victory &ndash; a 30-second PB that moves him to equal fifth on the world all-time list alongside Eliud Kipchoge.
The women set off aggressively from the start. A lead group of seven &ndash; Feysa, Kosgei, Lokedi, Joan Kilimo, Brillian Kipkoech, Sutume Asefa Kebede and Loice Chemnung &ndash; reached 5km in 15:36, equivalent to 2:11:39 marathon pace.
By about 7km, Feysa and Kosgei had started to pull away. They reached 10km in 31:04, nine seconds ahead of a chase group containing Lokedi, Kilimo, Kipkoech and Chemnung.
Feysa was a stride ahead of Kosgei as they passed 15km in 46:41, still operating at 2:11 pace. Behind them, the chase group had been reduced to Lokedi, Kilimo and Chemnung, who trailed by 12 seconds.
But the leaders were not able to make the break stick. Lokedi and Chemnung gradually closed the gap and by halfway four women were together at the front. They had passed 20km in 1:02:31 before reaching the half-way point in 1:06:06.
The quartet remained intact through 25km, but the complexion of the race began to change over the next five kilometres. Lokedi led Feysa through 30km in 1:34:16, while Kosgei had slipped 11 seconds behind and Chemnung was a further 30 seconds back. By 21 miles, Feysa and Lokedi were together with a 35-second advantage over Kosgei.
Neither could shake the other. They reached 35km in 1:50:23 and were still side by side through 22 miles in 1:51:43. Kosgei remained within striking distance, 39 seconds behind, but the contest for victory had developed into a duel between Feysa and Lokedi.
They passed 24 miles in 2:02:16 and mile 25 in 2:07:27. Even with little more than a kilometre remaining, there was nothing between them. Then, with about 2:10 on the clock, Feysa made her move.
The Ethiopian suddenly opened daylight and, after more than an hour of close racing with Lokedi, the gap grew remarkably quickly. Feysa covered the final mile strongly enough to put 34 seconds into her rival, breaking the tape in 2:13:33.
The performance took 84 seconds off the PB of 2:14:57 she set when winning in Chicago last year and lifted her to fourth on the world all-time list. It was the third major marathon victory of Feysa&rsquo;s career, following her wins in Frankfurt in 2024 and Chicago in 2025.
Lokedi was rewarded with a huge PB of 2:14:07 in second, moving her to eighth on the world all-time list. Kosgei completed an exceptional podium in 2:14:55, making it the first marathon in history to produce three sub-2:15 finishers.
Mary Ngugi-Cooper was fourth in 2:17:23 and Kilimo fifth in 2:18:39. Australia's Isobel Batt-Doyle set an Oceanian record of 2:20:38 in sixth, while Emma Grace Hurley was the leading US finisher in seventh. Her 2:20:47 clocking is the fastest ever marathon debut by a US woman.
<h2>Kipruto takes control after Kiplimo surge</h2>
The men&rsquo;s race was similarly ambitious from the outset. A six-man group comprising Kipruto, Kiplimo, Tadese Bikila, Milkesa Mengesha, Boki Diriba and Daniel Mateiko passed 5km in 14:18. A chase pack led by Vincent Mauri reached 5km in 14:53, and by 10km &ndash; which the leaders passed in 28:37 &ndash; they were about a minute adrift.
The leading six remained together through 15km in 42:55 and 20km in 57:13 before reaching halfway in 1:00:21, eight seconds quicker than Sabastian Sawe&rsquo;s halfway split during his 1:59:30 world record run in London earlier this year.
Behind them, Mauri was producing an eye-catching run of his own. The self-coached US athlete, who does much of his training on a treadmill and ran 2:05:54 on his marathon debut in Ohio earlier this year, began to break away from the second group. He reached halfway in 1:02:15, 17 seconds clear of his nearest pursuers and on course for a time well inside 2:05.
Up front, the six-man group finally started to fracture after halfway. Kiplimo led through 25km in 1:11:19, alongside Mateiko, Kipruto and Bikila. Mengesha and Diriba had started to lose ground and the leaders were now operating at course record pace.
Soon afterwards Kiplimo increased the tempo again. His move, with about 1:17:30 on the clock, broke apart the group, with Kipruto the only athlete initially able to respond. The pair then covered the five kilometres to 30km in 13:58, reaching that checkpoint in 1:25:28 &ndash; a projected finishing time of 2:00:12.
Kiplimo and Kipruto remained together through mile 20 in 1:31:51, but the balance then began to shift. Kipruto edged a second ahead by mile 21 and had stretched that advantage to 12 seconds by 35km, which he passed in 1:39:58.
Kiplimo&rsquo;s challenge faded rapidly from that point after sustaining a hamstring pull. Kipruto was 17 seconds clear at 22 miles and 47 seconds ahead by 23 miles, while Bikila and Mengesha began to close on the Ugandan. By mile 24, Kipruto&rsquo;s advantage over Kiplimo had grown to 1:32. He reached 40km in 1:54:31 with Bikila now up into second.
Kipruto continued on to win in 2:01:09. The performance took 30 seconds off the PB he set when finishing fourth in London in April and moves him alongside Kipchoge at equal fifth on the world all-time list. When Kipchoge ran 2:01:09 in Berlin four years ago, it was a world record.
For Kipruto, the 2019 world bronze medallist, it was a second World Marathon Majors victory following his triumph in London in 2022.
Bikila finished strongly to take second in a PB of 2:02:56. Mengesha also came through in the closing stages to claim third in 2:03:46, passing Kiplimo, who finished fourth in 2:04:18. Diriba and Mateiko were fifth and sixth, both timed at 2:05:01.
Clayton Young was the leading US finisher in seventh, improving his PB to 2:05:23 and moving to second on the North American all-time list. Charles Hicks followed in 2:05:35, with Akira Akasaki ninth in 2:05:47.
Mauri, whose early pace had put him on course for a significant breakthrough, was forced to stop briefly with what appeared to be cramp shortly after 21 miles. He nevertheless recovered to finish 10th in 2:06:45.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:13:33 2 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:14:07 3 Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:55 4 Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:17:23 5 Joan Kilimo (KEN) 2:18:39 6 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:20:38 7 Emma Grace Hurley (USA) 2:20:47 8 Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:20:59 9 Magdalyne Masai (KEN) 2:21:11 10 Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:21:18
Men 1 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:01:09 2 Tadese Bikila (ETH) 2:02:56 3 Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:03:46 4 Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:04:18 5 Boki Diriba (ETH) 2:05:01 6 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:05:01 7 Clayton Young (USA) 2:05:23 8 Charles Hicks (USA) 2:05:35 9 Akira Akasaki (JPN) 2:05:47 10 Vincent Mauri (USA) 2:06:45

Hawi Feysa retained her Bank of America Chicago Marathon title in 2:13:33 and Amos Kipruto won the men’s race in 2:01:09

Feysa and Kipruto triumph in swift Chicago races

It was a fleeting exchange at a press conference, but it touched on a much wider issue.&nbsp;
Speaking at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone earlier this year, Zaynab Dosso and Elaine Thompson-Herah were both asked about the mental side of elite sport.&nbsp;
Italian sprinter Dosso was clear about the importance she places on it. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very important to speak about mental health,&rdquo; said the world indoor 60m champion. &ldquo;You can train however many hours you want, but if your head doesn&rsquo;t follow then you&rsquo;re not going to get anywhere.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Last September I started working with a psychologist. Every single athlete should take care of their mental health because it&rsquo;s just as important as their physical health.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The same question was then put to Thompson-Herah. &ldquo;Coming back from injury has been challenging, mentally and physically,&rdquo; said the five-time Olympic champion.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But I&rsquo;m a tough cookie. I&rsquo;ve never been to therapy, I don&rsquo;t believe in it. I&rsquo;m my own therapy. I do believe in God, though. I also have a supportive team who believes in me, and I believe in myself.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The contrast was striking. Both athletes acknowledged the mental challenges of elite sport, yet they had very different ideas about how to deal with them.&nbsp;
Across a sport spanning more than 200 countries, there are inevitably huge differences in the way mental health is understood, discussed and treated. Professional psychological support may be commonplace for some athletes. Others may turn first to family, friends, teammates or coaches. Elsewhere, stigma, lack of awareness or limited access to services can make the route to support far less straightforward.&nbsp;
US 800m runner Juliette Whittaker has spoken with remarkable openness about her own experience. During her time at Stanford University, Whittaker won two individual NCAA titles before qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her results suggested a young athlete whose career was progressing almost perfectly.&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6aca521625032d32c4d73ea3.jpg" alt="Juliette Whittaker in action at the US Olympic Trials" />
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Juliette Whittaker in action at the US Olympic Trials (&copy; Getty Images)
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The reality was very different. She later described it as the &ldquo;hardest, saddest and loneliest&rdquo; year of her life.&nbsp;
After winning her first NCAA title, the happiness had disappeared by the following day. After the second, it lasted less than an hour. Whittaker responded by setting herself another target, believing that perhaps reaching the Olympics would finally make her feel differently. It didn&rsquo;t.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I truly believed that if I ran well enough, achieved enough, proved myself enough, I would finally feel enough,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
Instead, her sense of self-worth became increasingly tied to her performances. When running stopped providing the fulfilment she expected from it, she struggled to know where else to find it. After returning from Paris, her mental health deteriorated further. Feelings of emptiness became guilt and shame, and she stopped telling people how badly she was struggling.&nbsp;
In May 2025, Whittaker attempted to take her own life.&nbsp;
Friends found her and took her to hospital. She spent a week in a psychiatric unit and later attended group therapy three days a week, while also taking the longest break from running she had ever had.&nbsp;
Whittaker credits the people around her with playing a huge part in her recovery. &ldquo;At a time when I had completely given up on myself, I had villages of people who refused to give up on me,&rdquo; she said, speaking at Stanford&rsquo;s GameFaces event earlier this year.&nbsp;
&ldquo;One year ago, I was in a hospital bed with absolutely no desire to live,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;Today I&rsquo;m standing in front of you.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Her experience also changed the way she viewed athletics. &ldquo;Running is a huge part of my life,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But it is not all of me. It is not the source of my worth.&rdquo;&nbsp;
After spending so long keeping her feelings to herself, she had learned another lesson: &ldquo;Asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do.&rdquo; But asking for help assumes an athlete recognises what is happening to them, feels able to talk about it and knows where to turn.&nbsp;
Research in recent years has examined some of those barriers in different parts of the world.&nbsp;
A <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12559114/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 paper on mental health among elite runners in Kenya</a> highlighted the importance of cultural and socioeconomic context. Its authors pointed to issues including the availability, accessibility and affordability of mental-health services, and cautioned against assuming that approaches developed in wealthier countries can simply be transferred elsewhere.&nbsp;
A separate <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11133729/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 study involving 20 Chinese elite athletes</a>, as well as coaches and team officials, found that cultural attitudes and sporting environments could influence whether athletes sought help. Participants spoke about issues including depressed mood, competition anxiety and sleep problems, while stigma &ndash; including fears of being regarded as weak &ndash; was among the barriers identified. Athletes were often more comfortable turning first to teammates, friends or parents than to formal mental-health services.&nbsp;
Kenya&rsquo;s Wilfred Bungei recognises some of that from his own experience. The 2008 Olympic 800m champion has spoken openly about his problems with alcohol and mental health after his competitive career ended.&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6aca52b425032d32c4d73ea6.jpg" alt="Wilfred Bungei in action at the 2008 Olympics" />
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Wilfred Bungei in action at the 2008 Olympics (&copy; Getty Images)
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Among his wake-up calls were missing important engagements because he had been drinking, and realising that his children were uncomfortable being in the car with him when they knew he was drunk. Looking back 10 years or more, Bungei says alcoholism and mental-health problems in Kenya were often seen as matters of personal choice.&nbsp;
&ldquo;People with mental-health problems were stigmatised,&rdquo; he says. He believes attitudes have improved since then and there is now more empathy, although some of that stigma remains.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The talk behind the scenes doesn&rsquo;t indicate a society that has fully embraced mental-health issues,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Most people would rather suffer from the inside than be open.&rdquo;&nbsp;
For Bungei, his family was crucial in recognising that he needed help. &ldquo;Family is the first pillar,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;If one&rsquo;s family accepts that this person is sick and needs help, the individual wouldn&rsquo;t care much about what society says because they know, &lsquo;I have people who care&rsquo;.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He has sometimes compared alcoholism with diabetes when trying to explain to people that addiction is an illness rather than simply a personal failing. &ldquo;The first thing is accept who you are and don&rsquo;t care about the noise,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;
Bungei also believes athletes need more help preparing for life after competition. &ldquo;Athletes retire early in life and they have money and plenty of free time,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Remember, athletes live a strict life 365 days a year as sportsmen and women.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He says there is still no clear roadmap in Kenya to help athletes cope with that transition. He has, however, since found another role within the sport. Through his work with the World Athletics Media Academy, he says he has regained a sense of &ldquo;purpose and responsibility&rdquo; from training as a commentator.&nbsp;
He hopes eventually to use that platform to speak more widely about mental-health issues affecting sportsmen and women in African countries, and what could be done to support them.&nbsp;
Singapore&rsquo;s Shanti Pereira has spoken about a different kind of mental struggle during the years between her early breakthrough and her rise to the top of Asian sprinting.&nbsp;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6aca5171ae11116b0ebad078.jpg" alt="Sprinter Shanti Pereira of Singapore" />
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Sprinter Shanti Pereira of Singapore (&copy; Getty Images)
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After winning the SEA Games 200m title on home soil in 2015, Pereira found it difficult to deal with the expectations that followed. Results stalled, injuries followed and, in 2018, she lost both her Sport Excellence Scholarship and her university scholarship within the space of a week.&nbsp;
Speaking to CNA in 2022, she said that physically she still felt capable of running personal and national records, &ldquo;but mentally I wasn&rsquo;t there&rdquo;.&nbsp;
&ldquo;There was a lot of self-doubt that kind of grew as the years went by,&rdquo; she said. At times she lost her motivation and became afraid of performing badly even in training.&nbsp;
The uncertainty extended beyond athletics. Pereira described going through an &ldquo;identity crisis&rdquo; as she struggled for form while also questioning what she wanted to do outside the sport.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I started to believe what people said about me, that maybe I&rsquo;ve reached my end,&rdquo; she told CNA. &ldquo;And if so, who was I?&rdquo; Talking to people close to her helped her change that mindset.&nbsp;
In a later first-person article for CNA, Pereira recalled reaching the point where she was &ldquo;so afraid of even approaching the start line&rdquo;, before gradually learning to separate other people&rsquo;s opinions from how she viewed herself.&nbsp;
Her career since then has taken a very different path. After defending her Asian Games 200m title in 2026, Pereira reflected on how much she had changed.&nbsp;
&ldquo;She used to be so scared of everything &ndash; scared of her competitors &ndash; and I really let the pressure get to me last time,&rdquo; she said of her younger self. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very proud of the person I&rsquo;ve become.&rdquo;&nbsp;
There is increasing recognition within sport that those differences matter. The <a href="https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/new-ioc-consensus-statement-calls-for-system-wide-action-and-regular-monitoring-to-support-athlete-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Olympic Committee&rsquo;s updated 2026 consensus statement on mental health in elite athletes</a> recommends that treatment should be individualised, evidence-based and culturally responsive. It also highlights barriers including stigma, low mental-health literacy, concerns around confidentiality and athletes&rsquo; fears about possible consequences such as deselection.&nbsp;
The statement stresses that responsibility does not sit only with the athlete. The environment around them &ndash; including coaches, support staff, safeguarding systems and sporting organisations &ndash; can also influence their mental wellbeing.&nbsp;
The experiences of Dosso, Thompson-Herah, Whittaker, Bungei and Pereira are very different, and none should be taken as representative of an entire country or culture. But they show why conversations about mental health in a global sport cannot follow one template.&nbsp;
Some athletes will readily talk about psychologists, therapy, depression or anxiety. Others may first talk about pressure, loneliness, confidence or simply not feeling like themselves. Some will seek professional treatment, while others will rely heavily on the people around them.&nbsp;
What matters is that athletes are able to recognise when they are struggling, know that seeking support is an option, and have somewhere appropriate to turn when they need it.&nbsp;

It was a fleeting exchange at a press conference, but it touched on a much wider issue. 

Different voices, shared challenges: mental health in athletics 

Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa will return to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to defend their titles against deep international fields at the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday (11).
Kiplimo heads back to Chicago having significantly improved his marathon credentials since winning there 12 months ago, while Feysa faces a women&rsquo;s field that includes former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and two-time Boston champion Sharon Lokedi.
Kiplimo won in Chicago last year in 2:02:23, finishing more than a minute ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Amos Kipruto in what was just the Ugandan&rsquo;s second race over the distance.
He has since enjoyed a remarkable 2026. After claiming his third consecutive title at the World Cross Country Championships, he broke the world half marathon record with 57:20 in Lisbon &ndash; a mark that has since been improved &ndash; and then produced another breakthrough over 26.2 miles.
At April&rsquo;s London Marathon, Kiplimo finished third in 2:00:28 as Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha became the first two men to officially break two hours for the distance. Kiplimo&rsquo;s time put him third on the world all-time list and improved his own Ugandan record by almost two minutes.
It is also seven seconds faster than the Chicago course record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
&ldquo;My preparation has given me a lot of confidence, and having raced this course before is a real advantage,&rdquo; said Kiplimo.
He will renew his rivalry with Kipruto, who followed him home in Chicago last year and then finished one place behind him in London in April. The 2022 London champion clocked a PB of 2:01:39 on that occasion, making him the second-fastest man in a field that includes six sub-2:04 performers.
Milkesa Mengesha, the 2024 Berlin Marathon champion, returns to the USA after finishing 10th in Boston in April. The Ethiopian has a best of 2:03:17. His compatriot Tadese Takele retained his Tokyo Marathon title in March in 2:03:37. Kenya&rsquo;s Daniel Mateiko was fourth in that race in a PB of 2:03:44 and will also line up in Chicago.
Another Ethiopian, Asrar Hiyrden, completes the group of sub-2:04 entrants. He ran 2:03:59 in Seville in February.
Several athletes just outside that group will be looking to make another step forward. USA&rsquo;s Charles Hicks ran 2:04:35 to finish seventh at the Boston Marathon in April, while Suguru Osako holds the Japanese record of 2:04:55.
Hicks is part of a strong US contingent that also includes Clayton Young, who ran 2:05:41 in Boston, 2017 Chicago champion Galen Rupp and Vincent Mauri, whose 2:05:54 victory in Toledo earlier this year marked a major breakthrough.
South Africa&rsquo;s Adriaan Wildschutt, Japan&rsquo;s Tomoki Ota and Thailand&rsquo;s Kieran Tuntivate &ndash; all of whom hold national records at other distances &ndash; are among the athletes making their marathon debuts.
While Feysa is the defending women&rsquo;s champion, Kosgei has perhaps the strongest historical connection with the Chicago course.
The Kenyan won there in 2018 before returning the following year to clock 2:14:04, taking 81 seconds off Paula Radcliffe&rsquo;s long-standing world record. She has not raced in Chicago since that performance.
Now 32, Kosgei has returned to some of her best form this year. She won the Tokyo Marathon in March in 2:14:29 &ndash; the second-fastest time of her career and an Asian all-comers&rsquo; record.
Feysa was third in that race in 2:17:39, having enjoyed the biggest victory of her career in Chicago five months earlier. The Ethiopian pulled away from the field to win the 2025 race in 2:14:57, more than two minutes ahead of compatriot Megertu Alemu.
Alemu returns this year, as does Sutume Kebede, whose 2:15:55 PB makes her the third-fastest woman in the field. Both raced in Tokyo earlier this year, where Kebede and Alemu finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Lokedi, meanwhile, will race in Chicago for the first time. The Kenyan has established herself as one of the world&rsquo;s leading championship-style marathon racers, having won the New York Marathon in 2022 before taking back-to-back Boston titles in 2025 and 2026.
She retained her Boston crown in April in 2:18:51, with two more Chicago entrants &ndash; Loice Chemnung and Mary Ngugi-Cooper &ndash; completing the podium. Chicago will provide Lokedi with her first opportunity to race one of the flatter, faster courses on the major marathon circuit.
Brillian Kipkoech is another Kenyan arriving on the back of a victory. She improved her PB to 2:17:05 to win in Hamburg in April and is one of seven women in the field with a best inside 2:18. Degitu Azimeraw, the 2021 London runner-up, is another member of that group. Chemnung, Joan Kilimo, Magdalyne Masai, Fantu Worku and Ngugi-Cooper have all broken 2:20.
Kilimo, just 22, achieved her 2:18:40 best when finishing runner-up in Barcelona in March, while Worku ran 2:19:08 for third in Dubai at the start of February.
The home challenge includes Susanna Sullivan, Natosha Rogers, Sara Hall and Dakotah Popehn. Emma Grace Hurley, meanwhile, is among the intriguing debutantes. She returns to Chicago having set a US 8km record at the Shamrock Shuffle earlier this year, while Mexico&rsquo;s Laura Galvan and Great Britain&rsquo;s Amy-Eloise Neale will also contest their first marathons.
<h3>Leading entrants</h3>
Women Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:04 Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:14:57 Sutume Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55 Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:16:34 Brillian Kipkoech (KEN) 2:17:05 Sharon Lokedi (KEN) 2:17:22 Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:17:58 Loice Chemnung (KEN) 2:18:24 Joan Kilimo (KEN) 2:18:40 Magdalyne Masai (KEN) 2:18:58 Fantu Worku (ETH) 2:19:08 Mary Ngugi-Cooper (KEN) 2:19:26 Sara Hall (USA) 2:20:32 Yuka Akasaki (JPN) 2:21:33 Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:21:56 Des Linden (USA) 2:22:38 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:59 Natosha Rogers (USA) 2:23:28 Dakotah Popehn (USA) 2:24:20 Jess Warner-Judd (GBR) 2:24:45 Laura Galvan (MEX) debut Emma Grace Hurley (USA) debut Amy-Eloise Neale (GBR) debut
Men Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:00:28 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:01:39 Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:03:17 Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:23 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:03:44 Asrar Hiyrden (ETH) 2:03:59 Charles Hicks (USA) 2:04:35 Suguru Osako (JPN) 2:04:55 Mohamed Reda El Aaraby (MAR) 2:05:18 Clayton Young (USA) 2:05:41 Sondre Moen (NOR) 2:05:48 Vincent Mauri (USA) 2:05:54 Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) 2:06:06 Galen Rupp (USA) 2:06:07 Akira Akasaki (JPN) 2:06:15 Boki Diriba (ETH) 2:06:26 Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) 2:06:34 Rory Linkletter (CAN) 2:06:49 Abbabiya Simbassa (USA) 2:06:53 Tomoki Ota (JPN) debut Kieran Tuntivate (THA) debut Adriaan Wildschutt (RSA) debut

Jacob Kiplimo and Hawi Feysa will return to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to defend their titles

Kiplimo and Feysa return to defend Chicago titles

Zuzana Costin is a former athlete turned official, currently the only active female technical official in the world to hold both World Athletics Gold Level Referee and Gold Level Race Walking Judge qualifications.
The two-time Olympian, who competed in the 20km race walk at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games, most recently served as a race walking judge and referee during the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26. While there, she reflected on her journey in athletics. 
You hold both World Athletics Gold Level Referee and Gold Level Race Walking Judge qualifications &ndash; currently the only active female technical official in the world to do so. What does this achievement mean to you? 
"There are three of us who hold both qualifications but, yes, I am the only female official. It&rsquo;s quite amazing to have achieved this. I always try to do the best that I can, therefore it&rsquo;s nice to see that the work I have put in was recognised, and it paid off." 
When you first began your journey as a technical official, did you ever imagine you would reach this level? 
"No, I didn&rsquo;t. I got involved in athletics at a very young age. My dad (Jozef Malik) was the Vice President of the federation (Slovak Athletic Federation) for several years and was active as an administrator, coach and also as an official, so I grew up in the world of athletics. Any time he organised any competitions, I was helping out. So it has always been a part of my life and I never thought about it too much at that stage. Achieving this level in officiating in athletics after finishing my racing career gives me a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction." 
Throughout your career, have there been mentors who helped shape your journey?
"Undeniably, my dad played a big role at the beginning of my journey and he has kept supporting me since.
"After retiring from being an athlete, I started to officiate in Ireland on a regular basis (I had moved there a few years beforehand). I met with support and encouragement to pursue this to an international level. I was very lucky that I was immersed in an environment where people knew what they were doing, not just on a local level but on an international one, too. So, whenever I came across any problems, I had people I could rely on.
"After passing the Silver level exam, I started getting appointments at European competitions and there were always senior technical officials who were happy to share their knowledge and experience with &lsquo;newbies&rsquo;.
"That was also the case during one of my first big international appointments as a member of the Jury of Appeal at the European Championships in Berlin where Anna Riccardi was our chief. She took me under her wing, gave me confidence and guided me through this new experience.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, European Athletics began organising online webinars for technical officials, focusing heavily on the practical aspects of officiating. Those webinars were primary led by Chris Cohen and Niels van der Aar and they helped me to become a more knowledgeable and effective official.
"Later, I was selected for the European Athletics mentoring programme for technical delegates and was appointed as a mentee technical delegate for the European Championships in Rome. I was fortunate to have Chris and Niels as my mentors; their guidance provided invaluable insights and allowed me to expand my knowledge even further." 
What practical support is most beneficial for upcoming female officials during the early stages of their careers?
"Having someone you can turn to, talk to and learn from is major. Mentorship is something you can&rsquo;t replace, especially when you are trying to excel.
"After World Athletics changed its educational programme for officials to the current one, it really opened the door for younger people. Originally, the educational programme and exams to become an international official were only in English, which could be a bit of a barrier for people who don&rsquo;t have a good standard of English. That is still the case for the Gold level. And this could be something that a mentor could help with &ndash; dismantling the language barrier. However, for the lower levels, World Athletics has gradually introduced more languages in which its certification courses and exams can be taken. This shift definitely benefits new candidates who don&rsquo;t have a sufficient command of English." 
Since you started your career, have you seen an increase in more female judges, applicants or volunteers for athletics?
"Absolutely. I don&rsquo;t remember seeing many female officials in the leading positions when I started, and that has definitely changed now. Also, World Athletics&rsquo; encouragement to member federations to enter an equal number of female and male candidates for exams has started to pay off. Panels of international officials are now nearly gender balanced.
"I have also seen a growth in the numbers of younger officials, with more opportunities and positions available for them. It&rsquo;s more achievable and something that one can work towards now." 
What kind of advice would you give someone, especially a younger woman, who is interested in following your footsteps or becoming a judge in athletics?
"Now is the right time. Ask your federation about upcoming courses and exams. If you get opportunities to take part in them or you get any appointments, don&rsquo;t turn them down because you can always learn something. You might not succeed all the time, but you learn from the experience.
"It is also important to believe in yourself and to have someone, or a group of people, that you can get support from.
"It is nice to see new candidates growing in confidence. When they first get started, it&rsquo;s all very nerve-racking and there&rsquo;s so much going on all at once &ndash; it creates a lot of feelings of fear. But that&rsquo;s a normal thing to experience. Sometimes all they need is someone in their corner telling them that this is normal, to believe in themselves, and that someone else has confidence in them." 
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave &ndash; not only through the competitions you&rsquo;ve officiated, but through the people you&rsquo;ve inspired?
"I just hope that all the younger officials coming in see that they can do this. That this, as well as whatever else they want to strive for, is achievable regardless of whether they are coming from a country with a strong tradition of international officiating or not. And that the journey of being an international official can start at any age."
Ash Wehrly for the World Athletics Media Academy
 Launched in March, the World Athletics pledge initiative forms part of the organisation&rsquo;s contribution to the International Women&rsquo;s Day 2026 global campaign, #GiveToGain, which calls on individuals and organisations to give their time, resources and support to help forge gender equality through abundant giving. By encouraging stakeholders to pledge mentoring hours, World Athletics is turning the #GiveToGain message into practical action across the sport. Learn more on the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/women-in-athletics/news/international-womens-day-2026-mentoring-pledge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women in Athletics website</a>.

Zuzana Costin is a former athlete turned official, currently the only active female technical official in the world to hold both World Athletics Gold Level Referee and Gold Level Race Walking Judge qualifications.

World Athletics referee and race walking judge Costin's steps to success 

From 6 to 10 October 2027, Cape Town will welcome the world's best mountain and trail runners for the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), a landmark event that will place Africa at the centre of the global off-road running community.
&ldquo;Mountain and trail running is experiencing a real boom, and the fourth staging of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships is another cause for celebration,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. &ldquo;As the first World Mountain and Trail Running Championships to be hosted in Africa, this is an important milestone for our sport and one for which excitement continues to build now the event is only one year away. We look forward to another successful edition of this global championships, one that brings together the world&rsquo;s best elite athletes and mass participation runners for a festival of off-road running.&rdquo;
Sarah Rowell, Nadeem Khan and Janet Ng, respective presidents of the World Mountain Running Association, the International Association of Ultrarunners and the International Trail Running Association, said: &ldquo;With one year to go until the fourth World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, it is clear that the excitement around the event continues to grow. Member Federations are planning their trials and athletes and their coaches their training for what will be stunning and competitive races set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. As event partners, we have been impressed by the professionalism of the local organising committee and we continue to work closely with them to deliver a successful event in October 2027.&rdquo;
WMTRC Cape Town 2027 will be the first World Mountain and Trail Running Championships ever hosted in Africa and the first World Championship in an athletics discipline staged in South Africa since 1993. Hosted by Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics, the championship represents a defining moment for South African athletics, African sport and the continued growth of mountain and trail running worldwide.&nbsp;
Individual and team world titles will be contested across all disciplines, bringing together the world's elite mountain and trail runners. The championship programme will feature the sport's premier disciplines:
&bull; Uphill &bull; Classic &bull; Classic U20 &bull; Short Trail&nbsp; &bull; Long Trail&nbsp;
A programme of mass participation events is also being developed, allowing more than 2000 amateur runners from South Africa and around the world to experience the championship atmosphere and compete on selected championship terrain. It will make the championships even more memorable and provide many sports enthusiasts with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Further details on these events will be announced in due course.
"With one year to go, Athletics South Africa is proud to be part of a historic moment as we prepare to welcome the world to the first World Mountain and Trail Running Championships ever hosted in Africa,&rdquo; said Athletics South Africa Acting CEO Terrence Magogodela. &ldquo;Cape Town 2027 provides an extraordinary opportunity to showcase South Africa's athletes, landscapes and hospitality, while creating a lasting legacy for mountain and trail running across our country and continent. Through our national championship and selection pathway, we are committed to ensuring that Team South Africa is ready to compete with the world's best when the championships arrive next October.&rdquo;
Beyond the world titles, WMTRC Cape Town 2027 aims to leave a lasting legacy through athlete development, greater participation and international exposure. Bringing the championship to Africa creates an opportunity to grow the sport across the continent and introduce more runners to its exceptional mountain and trail destinations.
&ldquo;I am so proud that Cape Town will host Africa's first World Mountain and Trail Running Championships,&rdquo; said South African international trail runner Toni McCann. &ldquo;It's incredibly exciting to welcome the world's best athletes to experience the energy of this city: its people, our passionate trail and running community, the diversity of our natural spaces and the magical beauty of our rugged trails. Beyond that, this event has the power to make a lasting impact on a new generation of South African runners who dream of one day wearing the green and gold.&rdquo;
As the countdown enters its final year, WMTRC Cape Town 2027 is poised to become more than a championship. It is an opportunity to showcase Africa to the world, elevate mountain and trail running across the continent and create a lasting legacy for future generations of athletes.&nbsp;
One world stage. A new continent. Mountain and trail running's next chapter.&nbsp;
WMTRC Cape Town 2027

From 6 to 10 October 2027, Cape Town will welcome the world's best mountain and trail runners for the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), a landmark event that will place Africa at the centre of the global off-road running community.

One year to go: Cape Town begins countdown to 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.
The nominees &ndash; selected by an international panel of athletics experts &ndash; include 10 for Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year and 10 for Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year.
In what has been another sensational year for the sport, the nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship and World Athletics Series events held throughout the year, as well as during various one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world. 
Nominees for 2026 Women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ethiopia/tigst-assefa-14388506" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tigst Assefa, Ethiopia</a> &bull; Won the Berlin Marathon in 2:11:04, the third-fastest time in history &bull; Won the London Marathon in a women-only world record of 2:15:41
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/chase-jackson-14533525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chase Jackson, USA</a> &bull; Twice improved the North American shot put record, to 21.02m and 21.14m &bull; Won the world indoor title and set a Diamond League record to regain the Diamond Trophy
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/melissa-jefferson-wooden-14756997" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, USA</a> &bull; Won a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship &bull; Set world leads of 10.62 in the 100m and 21.47 in the 200m, the latter putting her third on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/agnes-jebet-ngetich-14758189" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agnes Ngetich, Kenya</a> &bull; Won the world half marathon title by 50 seconds in a women-only world record of 1:05:15 and won the world cross-country title by 42 seconds &bull; Ran world leads of 8:08.95 for 3000m and 28:58 for 10km
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/dominican-republic/marileidy-paulino-14749613" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marileidy Paulino, Dominican Republic</a> &bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title and regained the Diamond League title &bull; Set a world lead and Diamond League record of 48.48 and remained unbeaten, running under 49 seconds in eight races
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/spain/maria-perez-14470735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mar&iacute;a P&eacute;rez, Spain</a> &bull; Set an inaugural world half marathon race walk record of 1:30:06 &bull; Won the European title by 58 seconds with that world record performance
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/canada/camryn-rogers-14607142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Camryn Rogers, Canada</a> &bull; Improved her own North American hammer record with 81.13m, strengthening her place at second on the world all-time list &bull; Achieved the five best performances in the world and retained the Commonwealth Games title
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/masai-russell-14659011" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masai Russell, USA</a> &bull; Set a world 100m hurdles record of 12.09 and achieved nine of the 10 fastest times of the season &bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles as part of an unbeaten season in the 100m hurdles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/switzerland/audrey-werro-14856078" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Audrey Werro, Switzerland</a> &bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League and European 800m titles &bull; Broke the Diamond League record three times, improving to a world lead of 1:53.70 &ndash; putting her third on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/pr-of-china/ziyi-yan-15144603" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yan Ziyi, China</a> &bull; Threw 71.74m on her season opener, an Asian and world U20 record that puts her second on the world javelin all-time list &bull; Won Diamond League and Asian Games titles 
Nominees for 2026 Men&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year (in alphabetical order):
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/kenneth-bednarek-14715244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Bednarek, USA</a> &bull; Achieved a sprint double at the Ultimate Championship, winning the 100m in 9.85 and 200m in a world-leading PB of 19.52 &bull; Won the Diamond League 200m title in 19.62
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/slovenia/kristjan-ceh-14666860" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristjan Čeh, Slovenia</a> &bull; Won the Diamond League discus title with a Memorial van Damme meeting record of 71.29m &bull; Retained the European title with a championship record of 72.51m
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/italy/andy-diaz-hernandez-14587743" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andy D&iacute;az Hern&aacute;ndez, Italy</a> &bull; Won world indoor, Diamond League and European triple jump titles &bull; Jumped 18.15m to move to fourth on the world all-time list
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/brazil/alison-dos-santos-14755064" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alison dos Santos, Brazil</a> &bull; Set a world 400m hurdles record of 45.80 and won the Ultimate title in 45.98, the third-fastest time in history &bull; Went undefeated in 11 hurdles races, including the Diamond League Final
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sweden/armand-duplantis-14679502" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mondo Duplantis, Sweden</a> &bull; Improved his world pole vault record to 6.31m &bull; Won Ultimate, world indoor and European titles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/botswana/busang-collen-kebinatshipi-14935809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana</a> &bull; Won the Ultimate 400m title in 43.39, putting him fifth on the world all-time list &bull; Won the Diamond League title and improved the Diamond League record three times, to a best of 43.40 &ndash; one of his six sub-44.00 races, a record for a single season
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/great-britain-ni/josh-kerr-14533464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Josh Kerr, Great Britain &amp; NI</a> &bull; Set a world mile record of 3:42.66, achieving a world lead of 3:27.62 for his 1500m split &bull; Won Ultimate 1500m, world indoor 3000m, and Commonwealth Games mile titles
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/sri-lanka/rumesh-tharanga-pathirage-14886862" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Sri Lanka</a> &bull; Won Ultimate, Diamond League, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games javelin titles &bull; Set a world-leading national record of 92.62m and won 13 of his 14 competitions
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/kenya/sabastian-kimaru-sawe-14833335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabastian Sawe, Kenya</a> &bull; Won the London Marathon in a world record of 1:59:30 &bull; Became the first man to break two hours in a record-eligible marathon
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/jakobe-tharp-15129238" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ja&rsquo;Kobe Tharp, USA</a> &bull; Set a world 110m hurdles record of 12.75 at the NCAA Championships &bull; Won Ultimate and Diamond League titles and broke 13 seconds in six races 
An eight-strong panel of statisticians &ndash; two members from World Athletics and one from each of the six area associations &ndash; selected the nominees. A four-way vote, which closes on Saturday 17 October at midnight CEST, will now determine their final ranking, from first to 10th.
Each of the four voting groups will contribute 25% of the final vote:
&bull; World Athletics fans <a href="https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/W9SWJLC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voting by survey</a>
&bull; Athletes who have competed at World Athletics Series events during 2026
&bull; Members of the media including TV and radio commentators, written press journalists and content creators who have been accredited at World Athletics Series events in 2026
&bull; World Athletics Family including Council members; commission members; athlete representatives; World Athletics Series event local organising committee chairs; Diamond League, World Indoor Tour Gold and Continental Tour Gold meeting directors; member federation presidents; official partners; and World Athletics staff
The six finalists &ndash; three for the women&rsquo;s World Athlete of the Year award and three for the men&rsquo;s &ndash; will be announced on 10 and 11 November and be invited to Monaco for the World Athletics Awards on 29 November, when each winner will be announced live on stage.
Other awards presented on stage will include the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s Rising Star honours, Coach of the Year, the President&rsquo;s Award and, for the first time, the Moment of the Year award.

World Athletics

The 20 nominees for the World Athlete of the Year honours have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards taking place in Monaco on 29 November.

Nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026

The 2026 TCS London Marathon earned platinum-level recognition under the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/organisation/better-world/sustainability-initiatives/athletics-for-a-better-world-standard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Standard</a>, World Athletics&rsquo; tiered evaluation system for measuring an event&rsquo;s sustainable delivery.
The annual Abbott World Marathon Majors fixture is only the third one-day athletics event &ndash; and the first mass participation road running event &ndash; to reach the standard&rsquo;s highest level since its launch in 2024.
The recognition followed a comprehensive assessment and on-site audit by international sustainability experts of the organising team&rsquo;s efforts to reduce the marathon&rsquo;s environmental impact and maximise its social and local economic benefits.
&ldquo;The TCS London Marathon's efforts to reduce their environmental impacts and increase the event&rsquo;s social benefits illustrate clearly that they take their responsibility as one of the world's biggest marathons very seriously,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. &ldquo;With strong leadership and clear vision, they have created a sustainability model that all sports can follow. Congratulations to the entire London Marathon team."
The ABW Standard covers 55 action areas across six pillars spanning every aspect of event delivery, from transport, waste and energy management to procurement, community engagement and social impact. The marathon performed strongly across all six, integrating sustainability into nearly every stage of planning and delivery.
Group CFO and COO of London Marathon Events Jeanette Wong said: &ldquo;To become the first mass participation event of its kind to receive platinum-level recognition for sustainability delivery reflects our commitment to embedding sustainability across every aspect of the TCS London Marathon.
&ldquo;From helping participants make greener choices to the decisions we take on energy supply and procurement; positive social and environmental change is at the heart of what we do. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and recognise that sustainability is a continuous journey. We remain committed to learning, improving and finding new ways to drive meaningful change.&rdquo;
<h2>A strong focus on biofuels, public transport and air quality awareness</h2>
Organisers procured biofuels to power the temporary generators used at the event, resulting in a 92.8% renewable share of the event's energy sources. Excel London, venue for the five-day TCS London Marathon Running Show, which welcomed more than 220,000 visitors, was powered by 100% renewable energy.
Through a partnership with Transport for London, all 59,830 participants, staff and volunteers received free travel on the London Underground, as well as selected Overground services and buses. Participants and spectators were also encouraged to use the event&rsquo;s Green Travel Planner to help them find low carbon travel routes throughout Marathon Week.
The event&rsquo;s carbon compensation strategy includes a &pound;31 (EUR 36 / USD 41) levy paid by each international entrant. The fee helps finance high-quality carbon-removal credits or projects that directly reduce emissions.
Addressing the ABW Standard&rsquo;s Local Environment &amp; Air Quality pillar, this year&rsquo;s event introduced an air-quality monitoring plan. Air quality was measured and modelled across the course, with live data shared during the event and displayed on large screens at the start. In addition, 6000 trees were planted through a forest-restoration partnership with Trees not Tees, which allows participants to opt-out of a finisher T-shirt and have a tree planted instead.
<h2>Procurement, catering and waste</h2>
A robust procurement policy strengthened local sourcing: more than 65% of products and services were procured within 100km of Greater London, and much of the hospitality food &ndash; including a wide range of plant-based options &ndash; was sourced locally. To reduce the environmental impact of catering, the event prohibited beef, while its main food supplier used a fully electric, carbon-neutral delivery service. Where possible, non-perishable surplus food is either used at other events organised by London Marathon Events later in the year, or donated to The Felix Project, a charity that addresses food poverty.
Nearly 60% of event waste was diverted from landfill and incineration. Hospitality and media areas used compostable plates and cutlery alongside reusable glassware, and all food vendors were required to provide compostable or recyclable serveware. Water refill stations along the course increased from three to five, while elite athletes were offered reusable water bottles at their accommodation for the first time.
<h2>Strong community engagement</h2>
Building on its long-standing charitable commitment, the 2026 edition raised a record &pound;87.5 million (EUR 103 million / USD 116 million). More than 17.5 tonnes of clothing were donated to the Salvation Army, and 545 pairs of shoes were collected, including 295 distributed to community groups in need. Through partnerships with local organisations and universities, the event also delivered training and skills-development programmes to recruit volunteers, create employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism, and launch a new course for the next generation of sports and event professionals.
<h2>About the Athletics for a Better World Standard</h2>
In January 2024, sustainability reporting through the Athletics for a Better World Standard became a requirement for most global elite competitions managed or awarded by World Athletics.
In 2024, 104 events submitted sustainability reports, rising to 121 in 2025. More than 100 events are expected to report in 2026, most for the first time. Once fully adopted, the ABW Standard will be the largest sustainability evaluation system in the sports industry.
The London Marathon is the fifth event to earn platinum recognition against the ABW Standard, and the first road race. The Oslo Bislett Games reached the top tier in 2024 and 2025 and the Weltklasse Zurich in 2025. The World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24 and World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 also achieved platinum.
Among road races, three events have achieved gold: the TCS Sydney Marathon and BMW Berlin Marathon in 2025, and the C&amp;D Xiamen Marathon in 2026. Six others have achieved silver.
The complete list of ABW Standard certified events is <a href="https://worldathletics.org/organisation/better-world/sustainability-initiatives/abw-standard-certified-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

The 2026 TCS London Marathon earned platinum-level recognition under the Athletics for a Better World (ABW) Standard, World Athletics’ tiered evaluation system for measuring an event’s sustainable delivery.

London Marathon earns platinum recognition for sustainable delivery – first road race to gain ABW Standard's top level

&ldquo;Trust me,&rdquo; says Collen Kebinatshipi. &ldquo;This was just the start of an era of Collen. My plan is just to dominate for the longest period possible.&rdquo;
Whatever about the future, the 22-year-old Motswana, who blazed to the world 400m title in Tokyo last year in 43.53, has been utterly dominant this year &ndash; going six for six at Diamond League meetings and setting a national record of 43.40 at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.
Which brought him to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest high on confidence, where Kebinatshipi was the overwhelming favourite for the men&rsquo;s 400m. In many races this year, he had saved his energy for the latter half of the one-lap race but, this time, he changed things up.
&ldquo;I just decided I should go all out and see where it would end,&rdquo; he says.
He left the blocks in explosive fashion, ripping through the first 100m in 10.61, reaching 200m in 20.67 and 300m in a blazing 31.37, leaving a slew of global medallists trailing far behind.
How fast would he go?
43.39, another national record, which handed him the Ultimate trophy and $150,000 in prize money.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6aa57d05334a20d335b3726d.jpg" alt="Collen Kebinatshipi at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26" />
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Collen Kebinatshipi at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 (&copy; Getty Images)
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Kebinatshipi blacked out not long after the race and had to spend several minutes recuperating in a wheelchair. The 400m can do that, especially when you run it as he did.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s normal,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I know every time I push my body, it&rsquo;s like that. The plan was to give everything, leave everything on the track.&rdquo;
He did just that, crowning a season of consistent excellence. There were his two 9.89-second 100m clockings on home turf in Gaborone back in April, his three national 400m records, and Kebinatshipi also helped Botswana to victory in the men&rsquo;s 4x400m at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, clocking an African record of 2:54.47.
&ldquo;I need to go home and recover,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to mess up because this is my last race, I didn&rsquo;t want to leave anything in the tank and now I have nothing in the tank.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a special thing to keep the [winning] streak alive until the end of the season. It was such an amazing season and it&rsquo;s a big boost heading towards next year. I just want to make sure I stay healthy until the World Championships.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69d037160447b91f4c6c764c.JPG" alt="Collen Kebinatshipi" />
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Collen Kebinatshipi (&copy; Monirul Bhuiyan)
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It&rsquo;s been a steep ascent in recent years, but Kebinatshipi&rsquo;s talent has been clear for a long time. He took up athletics in primary school. &ldquo;I was just doing it for fun,&rdquo; he says.
In 2019, he met his current coach, Chilume &lsquo;Chippa&rsquo; Ntshwarang, at a competition and they started working together. It&rsquo;s proven a hugely successful relationship. He trains alongside Lee Eppie, a 44.40 athlete who joined Kebinatshipi on the team that won the men&rsquo;s 4x400m world title in Tokyo last year.
In 2020, he and his coach decided to focus more on the 400m. &ldquo;Even though I was scared of it,&rdquo; says Kebinatshipi, &ldquo;but coach maybe saw something I didn&rsquo;t see.&rdquo;
In 2022, he lowered his PB to 45.40 at the age of 18 and reached the world U20 400m final. In 2023, he won gold at the African U20 Championships in 44.91 and reached the world semi-final in Budapest. In 2024, he became an Olympian in Paris, narrowly missing the 400m final and helping Botswana to Olympic silver in the 4x400m.
But things truly clicked in 2025.
Kebinatshipi overcame a scare in his 400m heat at the World Championships in Tokyo, where he finished only fourth in 44.48, but he blazed to victory in his semi-final in a national record of 43.61. In the final, he ran 43.53 to claim his first global gold.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/68cc07f31c12d795c3531c66.jpg" alt="Collen Kebinatshipi wins the 400m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25" />
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Collen Kebinatshipi wins the 400m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 (&copy; Getty Images)
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&ldquo;Last year&rsquo;s win opened a lot of doors for me but that was just the beginning, because this year was about putting my name up there and showing people who I am and what I&rsquo;m capable of,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;My coach told me to come here and try a new race plan.&rdquo;
It might have been a very different approach in Budapest, but it worked as well as ever, Kebinatshipi finishing a whopping 0.76 seconds ahead of runner-up Rai Benjamin. He said the world record was not in his mind at the Ultimate Championship, given the fatigue of the previous day&rsquo;s semi-final was still in his legs.
&ldquo;The championship itself deserves such challenges,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Because it&rsquo;s big money, and big challenges.&rdquo;
However, Wayde van Niekerk&rsquo;s mark of 43.03 is certainly a long-term goal.
&ldquo;I would be lying if I say no &ndash; the world record is obviously always running in my mind. The world record talk will be on the table maybe in LA (at the 2028 Olympics).
&ldquo;The calculations based on training, we&rsquo;re always (doing), like if I go 20.9 in the first 200m and then go 22.0 or 22.1, it&rsquo;s going to give us a 42.9. But it&rsquo;s not easy. I&rsquo;m still a bit lighter, I&rsquo;m not doing a lot of gym but as time goes, when I start engaging the body in more constant work I think I will manage (the world record), but for now, no pressure.&rdquo;
With his season complete, Kebinatshipi plans to take a long break, which he will spend at home in Botswana, where he breeds boerboel dogs on a 10-acre farm.
&ldquo;I have eight of them at the moment and I have been missing them since May,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I am going to go back home, spend all my prize money on them. Unfortunately, they are not as fast as I am &ndash; they have big muscles and cannot keep up with me.&rdquo;
Still only 22, Kebinatshipi believes he has &ldquo;10, 11 years in this track life&rdquo; left and all options are on the table about his specialist events.
&ldquo;If we achieve what we want, maybe run under 43 before the next five years, it&rsquo;d give us another window to try another event,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Once I accomplish it, in less than five years, I&rsquo;m going to move to the 200m and after achieving what I want, I can skip again, go to the 800m.&rdquo;
Whatever way he goes, the era of Collen Kebinatshipi looks built to last.
Cathal Dennehy for World Athletics

“Trust me,” says Collen Kebinatshipi. “This was just the start of an era of Collen."

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