<p>The World Athletics Heritage Plaque was awarded to the Great Ethiopian Run (2001) in the category of &lsquo;Competition&rsquo; during a ceremony in the National Museum of Ethiopia, in the presence of the Mayor of Addis Ababa Her Excellency Adanech Abiebie, on Thursday (20).</p>
<p>Mayor Abiebie and race founder Haile Gebrselassie unveiled the plaque in its impressive permanent location, the gallery of the museum which houses the Imperial Throne of Emperor Haile Selassie, who ruled from 1930 to 1974, and a collection of imperial crowns.</p>
<p>Ahead of the silver jubilee edition of the annual World Athletics Label race on Sunday (23),&nbsp;four-time world and two-time Olympic 10,000m champion&nbsp;Gebrselassie&nbsp;was joined at the ceremony by two of his famous&nbsp;Kenyan friends and one-time rivals Daniel Komen, the 1997 world 5000m champion and multiple world record-breaker, and Moses Tanui, the 1991 world 10,000m gold medallist and two-time Boston marathon winner. Khalid Khannouchi, a four-time marathon winner in Chicago and two-time world record-breaker, made up an impressive quartet of champions in attendance.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/heritage/plaque" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Athletics Heritage Plaque</a> is a location based honour awarded for &ldquo;an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track &amp; field athletics and of out of stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running, and race walking.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691f7ad5327c72848d9e9243.jpg" alt="Haile Gebrselassie ahead of the 2025 Great Ethiopian Run" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Haile Gebrselassie ahead of the 2025 Great Ethiopian Run (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Jiro Mochizuki)</p>
</div>
<h2>&ldquo;One of the great African sporting success stories&rdquo;</h2>
<p>World Athletics President Sebastian Coe commented: &ldquo;The Great Ethiopian Run, which was founded by Haile Gebrselassie after returning from his second Olympic 10,000m title, is one of the great African sporting success stories.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Great Ethiopian Run international 10km, taking place in Addis Ababa, celebrates its 25th edition on 23 November 2025 and thoroughly deserves the award of the World Athletics Heritage Plaque.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Over two and half decades, the race organisation has staged more than 200 running events across Ethiopia. These runs, along with the annual headline 10km, have unquestionably contributed to the growth of athletics in the country and have helped to develop young athletes, while promoting important social campaigns such as girls&rsquo; education and healthy ageing.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Some of the greatest names in Ethiopian distance running have won the Great Ethiopian Run but because of Addis Ababa's 2355m altitude, which prevents the fastest times, the organisers have from the beginning focused mainly on mass participation.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Congratulations to the Great Ethiopian Run, which, annually attracting some 45,000 participants, can celebrate being the largest road race in Africa, fulfilling its vision to raise Ethiopia's image and the health of its population.&rdquo;</p>
<p>During Thursday&rsquo;s ceremony, the World Athletics Heritage Plaque was presented to the Great Ethiopian Run by World Athletics Heritage Director Chris Turner and officially accepted by Mayor Abiebie and Gebrselassie.</p>
<h2>&ldquo;Something really special for the people of Ethiopia&rdquo;</h2>
<p>Gebrselassie said: &ldquo;This award is a big honour for our race and for Ethiopia. I really want to say thank you to World Athletics for recognising our work.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We also feel honoured to welcome Chris from World Athletics to Addis Ababa to be here with us for the ceremony as the plaque is placed at the National Museum, and for him to attend our 25th anniversary race.</p>
<p>&ldquo;To have this plaque on show in the National Museum is something really special for the people of Ethiopia.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691efcdd0c6a4d05357615cc.jpg" alt="The 2023 Great Ethiopian Run" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">The 2023 Great Ethiopian Run (<img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Agence SHOT Kazuaki Matsunaga)</p>
</div>
<h2>&ldquo;One of the world&rsquo;s great running capitals&rdquo;</h2>
<p>Mayor Abiebie commented: &ldquo;As a city, we feel honoured to be receiving this Heritage Plaque from World Athletics.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Running has a rich heritage here in Ethiopia, and for the past six&nbsp;decades our country has given birth to some of the world&rsquo;s best distance runners. Our great athletes come from different parts of Ethiopia, but they all come to live and train here in Addis Ababa, and we are proud that the city has truly become one of the world&rsquo;s great running capitals.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We also feel proud of the international road race here in Addis Ababa, which this year celebrates its 25th edition. I want to congratulate&nbsp;Haile and the Great Ethiopian Run team for their success in developing the event into a very special race.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We will treasure this award as we make plans to make this an even bigger race and welcome more visitors to Addis Ababa.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Abebe Bikila</h2>
<p>The Great Ethiopian Run&rsquo;s award was the first of two plaques unveiled in the National Museum of Ethiopia on Thursday. Alongside it now hangs the plaque awarded in 2018 to Ethiopia&rsquo;s national hero Abebe Bikila, the 1960 and 1964 Olympic marathon champion, in the posthumous category of &lsquo;Legend&rsquo;, which has finally found its permanent place of public honour in this celebrated country of runners. <a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-release/world-athletics-heritage-plaque-award-launch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bikila was one of the original dozen recipients of the plaque when Coe announced the creation of the award in December 2018</a>.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691f7b29327c72848d9e9246.jpg" alt="Chris Turner, Mayor Adanech Abiebie, Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa &amp; Haile Gebrselassie with the Abebe Bikila plaque" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Chris Turner, Mayor Adanech Abiebie, Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa &amp; Haile Gebrselassie with the Abebe Bikila plaque (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Jiro Mochizuki)</p>
</div>
<h2>25 years on</h2>
<p>Starting and finishing in Meskel Square in the centre of the Ethiopian capital, the annual Great Ethiopian Run is often described as Africa&rsquo;s greatest sporting street party, with tens of thousands of runners enjoying the colourful sights and vibrant musical sounds of this fast-growing city.</p>
<p>The idea for a mass participation 10km was born when, following his 10,000m victory at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Gebrselassie was invited to take part in the world-famous Great North Run half marathon in northern England. He accepted but said he wanted to organise a similar mass race in Addis Ababa. In 2001, that race was born, and some 10,000 runners followed the victorious Gebrselassie across the finish line.</p>
<p>It was a momentous moment in Ethiopian sporting culture. The Great Ethiopian Run quickly normalised the public&rsquo;s perception of participating in mass sporting events. No longer would Ethiopian sports fans simply stand on the side of the road to welcome home their country&rsquo;s all-conquering middle- and long-distance runners from triumphs at the Olympic Games and World Championships, they would run themselves.</p>
<p>The Great Ethiopian Run transformed running into an everyday lifestyle, uniting people through health, celebration and national pride.</p>
<p>As Gebrselassie said: &ldquo;Running is part of human life. I think many Ethiopians have taken running as a culture.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics Heritage</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div><a href="https://tinyurl.com/visitMOWA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6885f79e982e117f1338cb26.jpg" alt="MOWA banner" /></a>
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">&nbsp;</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

The World Athletics Heritage Plaque was awarded to the Great Ethiopian Run during a ceremony in the National Museum of Ethiopia, in the presence of the Mayor of Addis Ababa Her Excellency Adanech Abiebie

Mayor Abiebie and Gebrselassie unveil Heritage Plaque for Great Ethiopian Run

<p>China&rsquo;s Asian 60m and 100m record-holder Su Bingtian has announced his retirement after competing for the final time at the National Games of China.</p>
<p>As well as his area records of 9.83 in the 100m and 6.42 in the 60m, Su claimed multiple global and continental medals during his successful sprinting career.</p>
<p>He made his global debut at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu and competed at a total of six editions of the event. He also raced at three Olympic Games and four World Indoor Championships.</p>
<p>He formed part of China&rsquo;s bronze medal-winning 4x100m team at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 and finished sixth in the 100m final there after running his Asian record of 9.83 in the semifinals.</p>
<p>Su also secured world 4x100m silver on home soil in Beijing in 2015 and he clinched a medal of the same colour in the 60m at the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, setting his area record of 6.42 &ndash; a time that places him joint sixth on the world all-time list.</p>
<p>The 36-year-old is a two-time Asian 100m champion and he won three titles &ndash; one in the 100m and two in the 4x100m &ndash; at the Asian Games.</p>
<p>At the National Games on Thursday (20), he again lined up for the relay &ndash; running the first leg for his home province Guangdong.</p>
<p>Afterwards he explained how he intends to continue promoting athletics and sport.</p>
<p>In May he helped to inspire the next generation as ambassador for the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25, joining 100 Guangzhou schoolchildren at a <a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/kenya-wins-relay-around-the-world-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kids&rsquo; Athletics event</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

Asian 60m and 100m record-holder Su Bingtian has announced his retirement

Asian record-holder Su announces retirement

<p>A strong field will be in action when the Cross Internacional de Atapuerca returns near the northern Spanish city of Burgos as one of three&nbsp;<strong>World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold</strong>&nbsp;meetings taking place on Sunday (23).</p>
<p>Italy&rsquo;s Nadia Battocletti makes her cross-country season debut, following a successful track campaign that included two medals at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; 10,000m silver and 5000m bronze. The Olympic 10,000m silver medallist is also an accomplished cross-country runner and she made history last year as the first woman to collect individual gold medals in the U20, U23 and senior categories at the European Cross Country Championships.</p>
<p>She makes her fourth appearance in Atapuerca and will be eager to build on her 14th place in 2019, 12th place in 2021 and sixth place in 2022.</p>
<p>Battocletti&rsquo;s stiffest opposition should come from the in-form Ethiopian Likina Amebaw and last year&rsquo;s winner, Daisy Jepkemei of Kazakhstan. The former has already claimed two wins this season as she triumphed in Amorebieta and Soria, but she had to settle for third at the It&aacute;lica event where she was pipped by Jepkemei in the closing stages, in a fight for the runner-up place.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Amebaw&rsquo;s best performance in Atapuerca came in 2023 when she took fourth place, just ahead of Britain&rsquo;s Megan Keith. The world 10,000m 10th-place finisher won the European U23 cross-country title in Brussels two years ago by a record margin and she opened her cross-country campaign a fortnight ago in Cardiff, where she finished fourth. She was 20 seconds behind the runner-up on that occasion, Kenya&rsquo;s Sheila Jebet, who is also among the contenders in Atapuerca following her second place behind Amebaw in Soria last weekend.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Burundi&rsquo;s Micheline Niyomahoro completes the international line-up, while the local challenge will be led by European U23 3000m steeplechase silver medallist Marta Serrano, national 10km record-holder Carla Gallardo, Isabel Barreiro, Angela Viciosa and Carolina Robles.</p>
<p>The men&rsquo;s race offers a Soria rematch as Kenya&rsquo;s Mathew Kipsang and Burundi&rsquo;s Rodrigue Kwizera will clash again after their thrilling battle last Sunday, when the Kenyan won after a dramatic sprint finish.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It won&rsquo;t be an easy task for Kwizera to retain his title as the event distance has reduced from 9km to 7.3km for men and women and that would seem to play in favour of the world 5000m 11th-place finisher Kipsang, who was third in Atapuerca last year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Watch out too for the Spanish pair of Thierry Ndikumwenayo and Said Mechaal. Ndikumwenayo is rapidly rounding into form and he finished just three seconds behind Kipsang in Soria, while&nbsp;Mechaal will try to replicate the form he demonstrated on the roads last month, when he took third place at the Paris 20km.</p>
<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei and the Burundian pair of Emile Hafashimana and Celestin Ndikumana will also be chasing top five finishes.</p>
<p>Sunday&rsquo;s races will also serve as the national cross country championships. Weather forecasters predict a windy and cold day with temperatures between 4-6&ordm;C by the time of the event.</p>
<p><strong>Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Kipruto and Shimket defend Cinque Mulini crowns</h2>
<p>Matthew Kipruto and Yenenesh Shimket will defend their Cinque Mulini titles when the <strong>World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold</strong> meeting is held in San Vittore Olona on Sunday (23).</p>
<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Kipruto, the world U20 cross-country bronze medallist, will return to Italy one week on from finishing third in the Cross Country Tour Gold race over 8km in Soria.</p>
<p>This time his competition in the 8.2km contest will include home star Iliass Aouani, who claimed marathon bronze at the World Championships in Tokyo, and his Italian compatriots Pietro Arese and Osama Zoghlami.</p>
<p>When he discovered that the last Italian winner of the men&rsquo;s race was Alberto Cova in 1986, Aouani told organisers: &ldquo;I'm coming to win.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Joining them on the start line will be Eritrea&rsquo;s Saymon Amanuel, who finished fourth last year in San Vittore Olona, and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Adehena Kasaye, a two-time world cross-country relay silver medallist.</p>
<p>Ethiopia&rsquo;s Shimket leads the field for the women&rsquo;s 6.2km race. Last year she clinched victory ahead of Sheila Jebet and home favourite Nadia Battocletti, but this time both Jebet and Olympic and world 10,000m silver medallist Battocletti have decided to race at the Cross Country Tour Gold event in Atapuerca taking place on the same day.</p>
<p>Instead, Shimket will face Burundi&rsquo;s Elvanie Nimbona, who finished fourth at the Cinque Mulini last year, and Kenya&rsquo;s Sharon Chepkemoi. Italian athletes in action include Micol Majori and Gaia Colli.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Schrub and Trapp return to Allonnes</h2>
<p>Multiple European medallist Yann Schrub and Manon Trapp will be among the home hopes at the Cross International Le Maine Libre-Allonnes-Sarthe &ndash; a <strong>World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold</strong> meeting &ndash; on Sunday (23).</p>
<p>Schrub, the 2023 European cross-country champion, will look to follow in the footsteps of his French compatriot Jimmy Gressier, who won last year in Allonnes and returns this year to support the event, rather than race. Schrub opens his cross-country campaign in Allonnes as he races for the first time since finishing ninth in the 5000m at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. He placed seventh in Allonnes last year, and was runner-up in 2023.</p>
<p>He will go up against Ethiopia&rsquo;s Milkesa Fikadu and Abrha Gebru, who respectively finished third and fourth last year, as well as last year&rsquo;s fifth-place finisher Vincent Kimaiyo of Kenya. John Aimun, who beat his compatriot Kimaiyo to claim 10km victory in Lille last weekend, is also among the contenders.</p>
<p>Joining Schrub in racing on home soil are Hugo Hay and Fabien Palcau, who finished fifth behind Aimun and Kimaiyo in Lille.</p>
<p>The senior women's race features Trapp, who finished third in Allonnes last year &ndash; one place ahead of Kazakhstan&rsquo;s 2022 world steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto. The pair clash again on Sunday.</p>
<p>Trapp contested the marathon at the World Championships in Tokyo, while Jeruto placed sixth in the steeplechase. Last year&rsquo;s Cross International Le Maine Libre-Allonnes-Sarthe was Jeruto&rsquo;s first cross-country appearance since 2021 and she returns to open her season again in Allonnes.</p>
<p>They will face Kaoutar Farkoussi, who formed part of Morocco&rsquo;s silver medal-winning mixed relay team at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships, and Kenya&rsquo;s Alice Chemtai Loitasia, as well as France&rsquo;s Alessia Zarbo, Agathe Guillemot, Marie Bouchard and national marathon record-holder Mekdes Woldu.</p>

Three World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meetings take place on Sunday

World Cross Country Tour Gold continues in Atapuerca, Allonnes and San Vittore Olona

<p>Sander Skotheim described fair play as &ldquo;one of the best foundations of sport&rdquo; as he received an award at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne for his actions during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.</p>
<p>The Norwegian decathlete had been in contention for a medal in Paris, but no-heighting in the pole vault dashed his dreams of a podium place. Despite that disappointment, Skotheim decided to continue competing. In the process he supported his compatriot and the eventual winner Markus Rooth, helping his teammate in the final discipline &ndash; the 1500m.</p>
<p>That act saw Skotheim declared the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/fair-play-award-2024-sander-skotheim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">winner of the International Fair Play Award as part of the World Athletics Awards 2024</a> and more recently the world indoor champion received recognition in Lausanne, as one of three winners of the CIFP&rsquo;s Fair Play Awards, in conjunction with the Olympic Games.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I view fair play as one of the best foundations of sport. You&rsquo;re out there and you&rsquo;re competing but it&rsquo;s not only you competing &ndash; you&rsquo;re all there competing together and to have that respect for each other is truly one of the foundations of sport that I live most up to,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691dbd377c2555dcd480e54d.jpg" alt="Sander Skotheim at the Fair Play Awards in Lausanne" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Sander Skotheim at the Fair Play Awards in Lausanne (&copy; World Athletics <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Delphine Maiarelli)</p>
</div>
<p>Reflecting on his award, he added: &ldquo;I feel truly honoured. It means a lot to me to get this award for something that for me felt very natural in the moment. It was a great experience and very inspiring for me to be there to enjoy part of his (Rooth&rsquo;s) moment in becoming the Olympic champion.&rdquo;</p>
<p>After being named the Fair Play Award winner as part of the World Athletics Awards in 2024, Skotheim now forms part of the jury judging on the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/fair-play-award-finalists-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fair play moments nominated for the 2025 award</a>.</p>
<p>Three finalists &ndash; Emmanouil Karalis, Josh Kerr and Tim Van De Velde &ndash; were announced on Monday (17). The winner will be decided following votes from the jury and from fans on social media, and will be announced as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>

The decathlete received recognition in Lausanne, as one of three winners of the CIFP’s Fair Play Awards

Skotheim: 'fair play is a foundation of sport'

<p>As the countdown to the <strong>World Athletics Awards 2025</strong> continues, a digital exhibition has been created featuring the 10 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year.</p>
<p>From the 141 images that were submitted, a panel of judges &ndash; comprising two-time world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson, four-time world triple jump champion Christian Taylor, photographer and Paris 2024 photo chief Pascal Rondeau, and World Athletics digital creative manager Christel El Saneh &ndash; selected the below 10 shortlisted images and then the three finalists.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/finalists-2025-photograph-of-the-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finalists were announced on 13 November</a> and the winning photograph will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms on 28 November as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.</p>
<h2>Digital exhibition of shortlisted images</h2>
<h3>&lsquo;Speed silhouette&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db621a022568f8c1c69c7.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Speed silhouette" /></div>
<p>A hurdler in action during training at the Gyulai Istvan Memorial Continental Tour Gold meeting in Budapest<br /><strong>Photo by David Balogh</strong><br /><br /></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Champions under the flag&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a69d364ea40dd602ee01.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Champions under the flag" /></div>
<p>Men&rsquo;s 100m bronze medallist Noah Lyles of the USA celebrates with his teammate Tara Davis-Woodhall, gold medallist from the women's long jump, at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Fabrizio Bensch / Reuters<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Perseverance&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a74f364ea40dd602ee04.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Perseverance" /></div>
<p>Geordie Beamish of New Zealand avoids the foot of Jean-Simon Desgagnes of Canada as he falls to the ground during the men's 3000m steeplechase heats on day one of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Emilee Chinn / Getty Images<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Winner&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db688a022568f8c1c69d0.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Winner" /></div>
<p>Jamaica&rsquo;s Oblique Seville, the world 100m champion, at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Ales Graf<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Shadows&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6915a779364ea40dd602ee07.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year finalist - Shadows" /></div>
<p>Narve Gilje Nordas of Norway, Samuel Pihlstrom of Sweden and athletes compete in the men&rsquo;s Dream Mile during the Bislett Games Diamond League competition in Oslo, Norway<br /><strong>Photo by Vegard Gr&oslash;tt / Bildbyr&aring;n<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;The struggle&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db6a9a022568f8c1c69d3.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - The struggle" /></div>
<p>Doris Lemngole of Kenya falls over Norah Jeruto of Kazakhstan as Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia competes during the women's 3000m steeplechase final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Mate Ladjanszki<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Clearing the bar in style&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db6c8a022568f8c1c69d6.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Clearing the bar in style" /></div>
<p>Decathlon champion Leo Neugebauer clearing the bar and celebrating during the decathlon pole vault at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Stefan Mayer<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;The 100ml final from another perspective&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db5f8a022568f8c1c69c4.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - The 100ml final from another perspective" /></div>
<p>Men&rsquo;s 100m medallists Oblique Seville, Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles in action at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo By Victor Seco / @vsmphotoevents<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;Friendship&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db66da022568f8c1c69cd.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - Friendship" /></div>
<p>Serbia's Angelina Topic and Australia's Eleanor Patterson shelter from the rain during the women&rsquo;s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25<br /><strong>Photo by Aleksandra Szmigiel / Reuters<br /><br /></strong></p>
<h3>&lsquo;In sync&rsquo;</h3>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/691db64da022568f8c1c69ca.jpg" alt="Photo of the Year exhibition - In sync" /></div>
<p>Athletes jumping over hurdles in a line during the men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25&nbsp;<br /><strong>Photo by Eric Wu for the World Athletics Media Academy</strong></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

A digital exhibition has been created featuring the 10 images shortlisted for World Athletics Photograph of the Year

Digital exhibition: 2025 World Athletics Photograph of the Year shortlisted images

<p>Six nominees have been announced for the Member Federations Award ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2025.</p>
<p>The Member Federations Award recognises a Member Federation that has distinguished itself in its accomplishments throughout the year and, as a result, positively contributed to the growth and profile of the sport. The shortlisted federations were nominated by each of the six area associations.</p>
<p>The winner &ndash; as decided by the World Athletics Executive Board &ndash; will be announced on World Athletics&rsquo; platforms on 28 November, as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.</p>
<p>The six nominees, listed alphabetically, are:</p>
<h3>Botswana (Botswana Athletics Association, Africa)</h3>
<p>At the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, Botswana&rsquo;s athletes delivered historic performances that elevated the country&rsquo;s profile on the global stage. Collen Kebinatshipi became world 400m champion and helped his nation to gold in the 4x400m. This collective triumph reflected the success of Botswana&rsquo;s long-term investment in talent development and high-performance programmes. Botswana&rsquo;s year was characterised by exceptional performance, both individual and collective, backed by robust coaching, sound federation management and athlete support systems. The country proved its ability to combine discipline, innovation and teamwork.</p>
<h3>China (Chinese Athletics Association, Asia)</h3>
<p>The Chinese Athletics Association demonstrated progress across five key areas in 2025: institutional innovation, event enhancement, youth development, gender equality and commercial collaboration. This involved hosting several high-level World Athletics events including the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 and a Continental Tour Gold event in Beijing, as well as Kids&rsquo; Athletics initiatives, key measures to enhance athlete safety and rights protection, steadily increasing the representation of female athletes and officials, and conducting two national-level officiating training courses.</p>
<h3>Ecuador (Federacion Ecuatoriana de Atletismo, South America)</h3>
<p>Ecuador&rsquo;s achievements in 2025 were guided by its strategic plan, with a key objective of increasing participation. This included Kids&rsquo; Athletics, restructuring the educational and certification systems for judges and coaches, and continuing the &lsquo;Chasqui Kids&rsquo; project to support young athletes from vulnerable backgrounds. The country won two historic medals at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25: women&rsquo;s javelin gold by Juleisy Angulo and women&rsquo;s 35km race walk bronze by Paula Torres. The federation also introduced comprehensive safeguarding policies and a code of conduct, underscoring its commitment to integrity, inclusivity and athlete welfare.</p>
<h3>New Zealand (Athletics New Zealand, Oceania)</h3>
<p>It has been a landmark year for Athletics New Zealand, marked by achievements in high performance, community development, officiating and governance. The federation strengthened its commitment to athlete pathways, safe sport and inclusivity, while celebrating historic international success. At the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, Geordie Beamish won 3000m steeplechase gold, Hamish Kerr won high jump gold and Maddi Wesche claimed shot put bronze. A national development workforce was established, while the release of the High-Performance Plan 2025&ndash;2028 set a clear path toward success at the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games.</p>
<h3>Spain (Real Federacion Espanola de Atletismo, Europe)</h3>
<p>Spain delivered strong results in 2025, including a record medal haul at the European U20 Championships in Tampere and a competitive presence at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. The country hosted the European Team Championships 1st Division in Madrid, while it expanded youth and community athletics initiatives across regions. Under new leadership, the federation enhanced governance and modernisation practices, ensuring transparency and efficiency. It also demonstrated strong collaboration with local authorities, the media and sponsors and has actively promoted gender equality and mixed-gender team formats.</p>
<h3>United States (USA Track &amp; Field, NACAC)</h3>
<p>The United States topped the medal table at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 and while strong results were anticipated, what stood out was the team&rsquo;s readiness and ability to meet the significantly heightened level of global competition. Safeguarding continued to be a major priority, while significant resources were dedicated to the ongoing education and professional development of coaches and technical officials. The Women&rsquo;s Commission led several dynamic initiatives and the launch of the 2026 USATF Tour &ndash; which aims to streamline and strengthen domestic competitions across the United States &ndash; was announced.</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

Six nominees have been announced ahead of the World Athletics Awards 2025

Nominees announced for 2025 Member Federations Award

<p>World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the International Fair Play Award, celebrated as part of the World Athletics Awards 2025.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), in partnership with World Athletics, invited fans across the world to nominate moments that epitomise fair play with a view to recognising one standout athlete or moment.</p>
<p>A jury was empanelled to review the nominations and fans can now cast their votes through the World Athletics social media channels for the shortlisted moment that they feel best exemplifies fair play. These votes will be combined with votes from the panel members to decide the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 29 November.</p>
<h2>Finalists</h2>
<h3>Emmanouil Karalis</h3>
<p>Emmanouil Karalis displayed respect and camaraderie throughout the pole vault competition at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. He supported fellow athletes after their falls, retrieved their poles, encouraged the crowd and took the time to thank the officials. Earlier in the season, Karalis also exemplified true sportsmanship by agreeing to share the gold medal with Menno Vloon at the European Indoor Championships.<br /><br /></p>
<h3>Josh Kerr</h3>
<p>Josh Kerr, who was determined to finish the 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 despite injury, proved his dedication to fans by spending time after his races giving autographs and selfies. He also gave his spikes to fans.<br /><br /></p>
<h3>Tim Van De Velde</h3>
<p>Tim Van De Velde decided to help the injured athlete Carlos San Martin cross the finish line during the 3000m steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; fully aware that it might lead to his disqualification &ndash; in a true demonstration of sportsmanship and humanity.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The CIFP was established more than 60 years ago to promote the principles of fair play in sport: fair competition, respect, friendship, team spirit, equality and sport without doping. It honours those who respect the written and unwritten rules of sport, which include integrity, solidarity, tolerance, care, excellence and joy, and who set an example for others, on and off the field. The CIFP&rsquo;s first collaboration with World Athletics dates back to the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Twelve awards have been handed out since then.</p>
<h3>Jury members</h3>
<p>Mark Butler &ndash; athletics statistician<br />Paula Radcliffe &ndash; former world marathon record-holder<br />Jon Ridgeon &ndash; World Athletics CEO<br />Anna Ryzhykova &ndash; member of the Athletes&rsquo; Commission<br />Sunil Sabharwal &ndash; President of the International Fair Play Committee<br />Sander Skotheim &ndash; winner of the 2024 Fair Play Award</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

World Athletics is pleased to announce the three finalists for the International Fair Play Award

Finalists announced for Fair Play Award

<p>Chinese shot putter Gong Lijiao has announced her retirement, bringing her career to a close after winning a record fifth consecutive title at the National Games of China. The victory, which extended a streak dating back to 2009, served as her final competitive appearance.</p>
<p>Gong reached the final at all 19 global championships she contested, from her debut as an 18-year-old in Osaka in 2007 to her last at age 36 in Tokyo in 2025. Over that period she collected 13 global medals, including Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and world titles in London in 2017 and Doha in 2019. She also earned medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/8ff6e7e8-542d-4155-ae03-32aa9a058c1d.jpg" alt="Gong Lijiao in shot put qualifying at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Gong Lijiao at the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 (&copy; Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Gong was not only a promising teenage talent, first making her mark in 2006 by producing the top throw by an U20 athlete that year, she also displayed remarkable longevity by reaching 10 consecutive World Championship finals and five consecutive Olympic finals.</p>
<p>Gong also compiled a strong record at the continental level, winning two Asian titles and three Asian Games golds.</p>
<p>Under long-time coach Li Meisu, Gong remained a leading figure on the world stage for nearly 20 years. She retires as one of the most accomplished shot putters of her era, with a career defined by consistency, longevity and major-championship success.</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics</strong></p>

Chinese shot putter Gong Lijiao has announced her retirement

Shot put legend Gong retires

<p>Kenya&rsquo;s Mathew Kipsang and Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw claimed victory at the Cross Internacional de Soria &ndash; the fourth Gold-level meeting of this season&rsquo;s <strong>World Athletics Cross Country Tour</strong> &ndash; held in the Spanish city of Soria on a sunny but windy Sunday (16).</p>
<p>Amebaw dominated the women&rsquo;s race, while world 5000m finalist Kipsang denied pre-race favourite Rodrigue Kwizera a fourth Soria victory after a dramatic final sprint.</p>
<p>The women&rsquo;s 8km began at a crawl: the opening 2km lap took 7:20 with Italy&rsquo;s Valentina Gemetto, Kenya&rsquo;s Sheila Jebet and Amebaw sharing the lead. Spain&rsquo;s Idaira Prieto briefly pushed to the front, but the pace barely lifted, the second lap clocking 7:11. About 200m into the third circuit, Amebaw finally injected real purpose, and only the 20-year-old Jebet could respond. A few seconds back ran Kenya&rsquo;s Noshin Kimuge, followed by Gemetto, Prieto and Spain&rsquo;s Mar&iacute;a Ure&ntilde;a.</p>
<p>Amebaw&rsquo;s surge produced a 6:20 third loop, though Jebet held firm until about a mile from home, when the young Kenyan finally began to fade. Amebaw pressed on alone, covering the final lap in 6:14 and finishing unchallenged in 27:25, 30 seconds clear of Jebet.</p>
<p>Behind them, Gemetto and Prieto caught Kimuge before the bell. The Italian then broke away with little more than a kilometre left, and Prieto soon distanced Kimuge to claim fourth.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Soria is my favourite cross-country race, so I&rsquo;m very pleased to take my second victory here,&rdquo; said Amebaw. &ldquo;It&aacute;lica was very tough and recovery hasn&rsquo;t been easy, so I started conservatively. When I kicked, I was surprised Jebet stayed with me so long, but fortunately she couldn&rsquo;t follow on the last lap. The circuit is very similar to where I train, so I feel comfortable here.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The men&rsquo;s 8km unfolded very differently. Kwizera set a brisk early pace, leading through the first 2km lap in 5:47 ahead of Spain&rsquo;s Thierry Ndikumwenayo and Ilias Fifa, plus Kenyans Kipsang, Matthew Kipkoech Kipruto, Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei and Edwin Kiplangat Bett.</p>
<p>Midway through the second lap, world U20 cross-country bronze medallist Kipruto surged to the front, with Kwizera on his shoulder. The 5:52 lap trimmed the lead pack to Kipruto, Kwizera, Kipsang and Ndikumwenayo. The third lap, in 5:46, saw the four strung out in single file behind the still-leading Kipruto.</p>
<p>Inside the final 500m, three-time Soria champion Kwizera kicked hard. Kipruto and Ndikumwenayo lost ground, but Kipsang refused to budge. Kwizera still led with 200m remaining, yet Kipsang &mdash; despite slipping slightly on the downhill before the home straight &mdash; unleashed the superior track speed that carried him to a 7:33.23 PB for 3000m earlier this year. He swept past in the final metres to win by a single second, 23:10 to 23:11. Kipruto held off Ndikumwenayo for third.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m doubly happy,&rdquo; said Kipsang. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s my birthday and I&rsquo;ve won. I was third here last year, but my victory in Cardiff last weekend gave me confidence. I didn&rsquo;t want to set the pace; I saved everything for the finish and it paid off.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics</strong></p>
<h3>Leading results</h3>
<p><strong>Women (8km)</strong><br />1 Likina Amebaw (ETH) 27:25<br />2 Sheila Jebet (KEN) 27:55<br />3 Valentina Gemetto (ITA) 28:11<br />4 Idaira Prieto (KEN) 28:19<br />5 Noshin Mandoi Kimuge (KEN) 28:33<br />6 Mar&iacute;a Ure&ntilde;a (ESP) 28:54</p>
<p><strong>Men (8km)</strong><br />1 Mathew Kipchumba Kipsang (KEN) 23:10<br />2 Rodrigue Kwizera (BDI) 23:11<br />3 Matthew Kipkpoech Kipruto (KEN) 23:13<br />4 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (ESP) 23:13<br />5 Naibei Kiplimo Mayebei (KEN) 23:45<br />6 Ilias Fifa (ESP) 23:47</p>

Kenya’s Mathew Kipsang and Ethiopia’s Likina Amebaw claimed victory at the Cross Internacional de Soria

Amebaw dominates while Kipsang outsprints Kwizera in Soria

<p>It&rsquo;s something special to win a global medal, but to do so surrounded by family takes things to another level.</p>
<p>At the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, Emmanouil &lsquo;Manolo&rsquo; Karalis secured silver in a competition of record depth. The standard was high, and so was the level of support from the &ldquo;pole vault family&rdquo;.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re travelling together, we&rsquo;re eating together, we&rsquo;re competing together &ndash; we&rsquo;re family,&rdquo; he says in an <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrryz-cPIKc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive World Athletics video feature</a></strong>.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re doing the thing that we love the most, together. That&rsquo;s the most important thing for me.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We have this term &ndash; it&rsquo;s called the &lsquo;pole vault family&rsquo;. I want to keep our pole vaulting family close.&rdquo;</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lrryz-cPIKc?si=X8AEeTrhtEeE3uYZ" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>The camaraderie was clear in Tokyo, where Mondo Duplantis soared 6.30m to get gold and set the 14th world pole vault record of his career, Karalis cleared 6.00m to secure silver and Kurtis Marschall made it over 5.95m to clinch bronze on countback.</p>
<p>It was the first time that seven men had ever cleared 5.90m or higher in a single competition, and the first time that 5.95m had not been enough for a medal.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I knew that it would be a nice battle,&rdquo; adds Karalis, the Olympic bronze medallist and two-time world indoor medallist. &ldquo;I was nervous at the beginning because I have been to four World Championships and I hadn&rsquo;t made any finals.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The behind-the-scenes video feature follows his journey in Tokyo &ndash; from qualification and the call room through to the final and medal ceremony.</p>
<p>Sharing insight into his call room experience and the camaraderie,&nbsp;Karalis&nbsp;explains: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not talking about competition at all, we&rsquo;re just talking about whatever. We&rsquo;re just having fun and enjoying ourselves because we know that we&rsquo;re going out to do what we love the most.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Greek star also reflects on his relationship with Duplantis, from the 2015 World U18 Championships in Cali &ndash; where Duplantis got gold and Karalis claimed bronze &ndash; through to his first World Championships final in Tokyo a decade later.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re friends with Mondo, we&rsquo;re good friends &ndash; we&rsquo;re family,&rdquo; says Karalis, who was captured practicing his sprint starts against Sam Kendricks before Duplantis attempted his latest world record in Tokyo, to see who could rush to celebrate with him first.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Everyone knew that tonight was the night that he was going to make it,&rdquo; he adds. &ldquo;I said: &lsquo;Mondo, come on now. Just do it, and let&rsquo;s go home.&rsquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;And he said: &lsquo;Watch this.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>
<p>Duplantis managed 6.30m on his third and final attempt and it was Karalis who got to him first, as the pole vault family came together in celebration.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It was like a big party,&rdquo; says Karalis. &ldquo;He jumped, we rushed &ndash; we were so happy for him. It was an amazing moment to share with him.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Those moments are the moments that stay &ndash; the friendship, all those amazing moments that you have with those guys. The friendship and the love and the compassion &ndash; that&rsquo;s the most important medal that I ever had in my whole career.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Interview and video production by Marta Gorczyńska for World Athletics</strong></p>

World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 2025

It’s something special to win a global medal, but to do so surrounded by family takes things to another level

The pole vault family – Manolo Karalis

<p>Three action-packed sessions stacked with finals &ndash; from start to finish. The schedule for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship <a style="color: #e9ea6b;" href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-ultimate-championship/2026/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been published</a>, to mark 300 days until the groundbreaking event takes place in Budapest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Ultimate Championship will assemble world champions, Olympic champions, Wanda Diamond League winners and the year&rsquo;s best performing athletes for an epic clash of titans on 11-13 September 2026.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Every moment will count. Each session is packed with semifinals and finals, and the schedule published today* confirms on which days and in which order specific events will take place, as well as the start and finish times for each session.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Friday 11 September</h3>
<p>7:00pm &ndash; 10:00pm local time</p>
<p><strong>Order of events:&nbsp;</strong><br />Mixed 4x100m relay &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s hammer &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s high jump &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 100m hurdles &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 110m hurdles &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 5000m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s pole vault &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s long jump &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 800m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 100m hurdles &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 110m hurdles &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Mixed 4x400m relay &ndash; final&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Saturday 12 September</h3>
<p>6:00pm &ndash; 9:00pm local time</p>
<p><strong>Order of events:&nbsp;</strong><br />Women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s javelin &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 800m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s pole vault &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 400m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 100m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 100m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 1500m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s long jump &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 400m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 800m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 100m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 100m &ndash; final&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Sunday 13 September</h3>
<p>6:00pm &ndash; 9:00pm local time</p>
<p><strong>Order of events:&nbsp;</strong><br />Women&rsquo;s 400m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s javelin &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 200m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 800m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 200m &ndash; semifinals&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s high jump &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s triple jump &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 5000m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 400m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 1500m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Men&rsquo;s 200m &ndash; final&nbsp;<br />Women&rsquo;s 200m &ndash; final&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the track, the two semifinals in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 100m hurdles/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles will star eight athletes, and the top four in each will make it through to the final. The 1500m, 5000m and relay races will be straight finals. &nbsp;</p>
<p>All field events will be straight finals. The horizontal jumps and throws will feature four rounds, with each of the eight athletes guaranteed two attempts. After the second round, the top six will get another attempt, followed by the top four in the final round, who will have one final attempt &ndash; 8-8-6-4 format.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There&rsquo;s no cap on how many athletes from each country can contest each event and they will all be competing for their share of a record-setting prize pot of US$10 million &ndash; the largest ever offered in a single track and field event.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With this latest information, fans can start planning their trips to the Ultimate Championship &ndash; <a style="color: #e9ea6b;" href="https://www.eventim.hu/campaign/en/wauc2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buy tickets now</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>World Athletics&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>*<em>subject to change</em></p>

World Athletics Ultimate Championships

Three action-packed sessions stacked with finals – from start to finish

Ultimate Championship session schedule revealed with 300 days to go

<p>Twelve U18 athletes have been selected for the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team and will be candidates for the 2026 Youth Refugee Olympic Team following a trial event held earlier this month in Kampala.</p>
<p>Nine years after the first refugee team programme was established in Kenya, the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and World Athletics jointly extended the initiative to neighbouring Uganda in collaboration with the National Olympic Committee (NOC), Uganda Athletics and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).&nbsp;</p>
<p>The selected athletes &ndash; including sprinters Alini Asinati and Moise Kalume, and middle-distance runners Evaline Baako and Emanuel Dhegbo &ndash; will form part of a pool from which the first Youth Refugee Olympic Team will be selected for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, taking place from 30 October to 15 November. The selection of these 12 U18 athletes is in addition to those on the World Athletics U20 Athlete Refugee Team, based in Kenya.</p>
<p>Assembled for the final trials on a sunny day at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole were 90 pre-selected refugee athletes from four settlements: Adjumani, Rwamwanja, Kyangwali and Kampala. Coordination with the settlements was managed by Lydia Murungi Tomusange, programme manager of the Association of Volunteers in International Service (AVSI), an Italian civil society organisation in Uganda.</p>
<p>&ldquo;For a long time, we wanted to include an individual sport, and athletics seemed like the most possible opportunity for us to include,&rdquo; said Tomusange.</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69171b1a6f62af96807eb8a1.jpg" alt="Evaline Baako (5) and Nebaeda Opumo (42) contest the 1500m in Kampala" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Evaline Baako (5) and Nebaeda Opumo (42) contest the 1500m in Kampala (&copy; Uganda Olympic Committee)</p>
</div>
<p>For the refugee athletes, it was their first time competing in a large stadium and using starting blocks. Many expressed their passion for running and the hope that they can help their families live better lives.</p>
<p>Representing the national government at the finals was Milton Chebet, Assistant General Secretary &ndash; Technical, National Council of Sports. He was accompanied by Dr Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee; Dominic Otucet, President of Uganda Athletics; and Beatrice Ayikoru, World Athletics Council Member, Secretary General of the Uganda Olympic Committee and General Secretary of Uganda Athletics. Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya who is also a World Athletics Vice President, travelled across the border to grace the occasion, which could be seen as a &lsquo;passing of the baton&rsquo; and an opportunity for Athletics Kenya to share its experience. The ORF was represented by Gonzalo Barrio, Olympic Refugee Team Manager, and Alice Annibali, World Athletics Community Relations and Public Affairs Manager.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;This is a historic day because for the very first time, we have a refugees' trial here in the national stadium,&rdquo; said Otucet. &ldquo;I had always asked our NOC (Uganda Olympic Committee) to include athletics in the refugee programme, because the refugee programmes in Uganda had started long ago, but they were only for other sports. I am glad that our NOC agreed to include athletics. I am very excited, today I am the happiest person here.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Impressed by the talent on show at Namboole, Tuwei said: &ldquo;Sport is for all of us and so we don't want to leave anybody out, particularly those who are talented and do not normally have a chance to do that&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Barrio added: &ldquo;Everybody runs, everybody knows how to run, and so it is also a sport that refugee athletes, who sometimes live in challenging situations, can practice. And this is why we are focusing on this event because it is also the first trials that we have organised in Uganda.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Uganda&rsquo;s open-door policy has enabled the East African country to host almost 2 million people who were displaced or stateless as of the end of 2024, according to the UNHCR. The majority of the refugees in Uganda are from Sudan and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda required $361 million per year for its refugee programmes, but in 2025 it was operating with less than 40% of that amount due to a significant reduction in international aid.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Athletics is one of the leading sports that has opened its doors to refugee athletes at the elite level,&rdquo; said Annibali. &ldquo;We select some of them to compete in our events around the globe, assist them in entering international competitions and treat them just like any other elite athlete.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;This year, we have intensified our safeguarding awareness campaigns to educate refugee athletes about the World Athletics Safeguarding Policy. We want them to feel free to express themselves so that we can better understand their needs and provide the necessary support for the betterment of their well-being and the success of the programme. So, we look forward to extending these opportunities to this select group of refugee athletes based in Uganda. And I am grateful to the Olympic Refuge Foundation for this unique collaboration and unswerving support for the refugee programme in athletics &ndash; we complement each other.&rdquo;</p>
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/69171a8eb05e53c26bc728b3.jpg" alt="Athletes warm up at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole" />
<div>
<p style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #b2b2b2; text-align: right; margin: -15px 0 0px;">Athletes warm up at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole (&copy; Darren Allan Kyeyune)</p>
</div>
<p>The Refugee Athletes' Programme was established in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee and the UNHCR for athletes displaced by war and persecution, providing them with an opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games. Kenya, through the Kakuma Refugee Camp, contributed the most significant share of competitors to the inaugural Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) at the Rio 2016 Games.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The young refugee athletes in Uganda do not need to look far for inspiration. Ayikoru was a long-distance runner and, before that, a refugee who fled her country with her family to neighbouring Congo for nearly two years due to civil war. The team&rsquo;s athletes will also learn much from marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, who will continue his role as the official mentor for the refugee team in 2026.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is because of past experience where I realised the impact of my interaction with the refugee athletes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I want to show them the way forward. We are fighting with their minds because refugees are equal to us, and they need to believe it.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Darren Allan Kyeyune for World Athletics</strong></p>
<h3>U18 athlete refugee squad in&nbsp;Uganda</h3>
<p><strong>Women</strong><br />100m: Alini&nbsp;Asinati (COD)<br />200m:&nbsp;Alini Ntakirutimana&nbsp;(COD)<br />400m: Amida Maburuka (SSD)<br />800m:&nbsp;Flavia Atayo&nbsp;(SSD),&nbsp;Florence Masumbe&nbsp;(COD)<br />1500m:&nbsp;Evaline Baako&nbsp;(SSD)</p>
<p><strong>Men</strong><br />100m: Emmanuel Talipanaw&nbsp;(COD)<br />200m: Moise&nbsp;Kalume&nbsp;(COD)<br />400m: Bhut&nbsp;Mariel&nbsp;(SSD)<br />800m:&nbsp;Rachid Rochene&nbsp;(COD)<br />1500m:&nbsp;Emanuel Dhegbo&nbsp;(COD)<br />3000m:&nbsp;Lole Clement&nbsp;(SSD)</p>
</div>
</div>

Twelve U18 athletes have been selected for the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team and will be candidates for the 2026 Youth Refugee Olympic Team following a trial event held earlier this month in Kampala

Battocletti and Kwizera the athletes to beat in Alcobendas

Goosia revealed as mascot for WIC Kujawy Pomorze 26

A letter to my nation – Alex Rose

Battocletti wins on fourth try, Kipsang pips Kwizera in Atapuerca

Record-breaking decathlete Troscianka makes a name for himself