Nicola Olyslagers won world high jump titles indoors and outdoors in 2025. Back in March, in what was her first competition of the year, she cleared 2.01m to secure the global indoor crown, and she capped her season with outdoor world gold in Tokyo, jumping 2.00m. A few weeks prior to that, she also won the Diamond League title with a world-leading 2.04m, breaking her own Oceanian record.
The Australian reflects on the past year and looks ahead to next season and beyond.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On her 2025 season:</h2>
"It's been a beautiful year, but I&rsquo;ve also found myself even more excited for the future.
"Usually after a major championship, we&rsquo;re straight back into competition, but with the way the calendar was this year, the World Championships was the last competition of the season. That was beautiful, because it meant that throughout the season you could celebrate on the day but you were also always focused on the big competition ahead." 
<h2>On resetting for 2026:</h2>
"I usually have one month of complete break and that&rsquo;s the time physically for my body to go back to its factory settings, and mentally to process everything that has happened and to set goals for the future. During that break, I also try to do all the things that I couldn&rsquo;t do during the season &ndash; from going on long walks through Australia&rsquo;s beautiful national parks to painting skirting boards at home. Once I&rsquo;ve ticked all of those things off my list, I feel like I&rsquo;ve then got a clear head and I&rsquo;m ready to go for another 12 months." 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/68b851c27175fd92942f4005.jpg" alt="Nicola Olyslagers writes in her diary at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing" />
<div>
Nicola Olyslagers writes in her diary at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing (&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" /> Sona Maleter)
</div>
</div>
<h2>On the turning point in her career:</h2>
"When I was 20 years of age, I was working in a caf&eacute; washing up dishes in the back, saving money to pay for flights to compete internationally. My personal best at that point was 1.88m, and I was so far away from being competitive. I also felt like my life had no purpose; I was studying biochemistry at university and so I considered working as a dietician. I also thought about doing some missionary work. I prayed for guidance and I felt like God was saying, &lsquo;no, the sports field is your mission&rsquo;.
"So in the back of that caf&eacute;, I had a dream about the places where I&rsquo;d compete and the people that I&rsquo;d reach if I made it to the very top of the sport. Now, when people ask me, &lsquo;what's next?&rsquo;, I say that my purpose is still the same; it&rsquo;s just that the potential is so much greater than I ever thought." 
<h2>On her camaraderie with other high jumpers:</h2>
"I wasn&rsquo;t the best jumper when I started competing on the Diamond League circuit, but I was always a big supporter of the girls I was competing with. I&rsquo;d always stay out on the infield, long after I&rsquo;d exited the competition, simply to support and cheer on the other jumpers. Since then, I&rsquo;ve noticed many other high jumpers taking that same approach and it&rsquo;s been a dream to see the culture develop that way.
"We actually love the people were jumping with; we don&rsquo;t see them as barriers to success. We see them as friends to enjoy the journey with." 
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okH_bt9DJcU" width="100%" height="475" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>On her mental approach to high jump:</h2>
"As a teenager and young adult, I realised that my value as a high jumper and a person doesn&rsquo;t fall if the bar comes off. I&rsquo;ve never associated a high jumper&rsquo;s personal best with how valuable they are as a person. When I came to that realisation, it made it easy for me to accept when the bar falls off. It became an opportunity to test myself rather than be measured by it. And every time I knock off the bar, it reveals to me another area to work on so I can keep getting better.
"I love the sport and the fact I&rsquo;m able to do it, but the sport and my success doesn&rsquo;t define me." 
<h2>On the joy and satisfaction she gets as a high jumper:</h2>
"I love clearing big heights, but it&rsquo;s such a small part of the mind compared to the person of who I am outside of that. I try not to let it take over my whole life, otherwise the joy won&rsquo;t be there anymore.
"I see medals as different coloured sprinkles on top of the cake. I had a lot of silver sprinkles and now, after this year, I&rsquo;ve got some gold ones too.
"Back when I was at that crossroads in my life, it took a lot of belief to even think about it. But even if it was invisible to the world, it felt like I had something special. Thank you for being on this journey. It&rsquo;s the reason why you&rsquo;ll see me smiling when I&rsquo;m jumping. Because it is a dream."
</div>

Australia's world high jump champion Nicola Olyslagers reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to next year

World field athlete of the year Nicola Olyslagers – in her words

In just 30 days, the world&rsquo;s premier cross-country athletes will descend on Tallahassee as the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 (WXC Tallahassee 26) sees the global event return to the United States for the first time since 1992.
More than 500 athletes from over 60 countries are set to compete on a redesigned course at Apalachee Regional Park &ndash; marking one of the most significant international sporting events the US will host in 2026.
The world-class venue has been transformed specifically for this championship, featuring terrain inspired by Florida&rsquo;s natural landscape, including sand, water, mud and a signature &ldquo;rollercoaster&rdquo; element that will challenge even the sport&rsquo;s elite.
&ldquo;More than 15 years of dedication and preparation have led to this historic moment,&rdquo; said Kerri Post, executive director of the Leon County Division of Tourism. &ldquo;Hosting the World Athletics Cross Country Championships is an extraordinary honour, and we are committed to creating an unforgettable experience for both athletes and spectators alike.&rdquo;
Event organisers are delivering a fan-first experience unlike anything the sport has seen before. Spectator tickets are only $10, offering fans an affordable experience with access to multiple viewing areas, jumbo screens showing the action live and a family-friendly fan zone filled with food trucks, music and interactive activities.
Fans can get in on the action, too. Immediately after the elite races, the public is invited to run or walk 2km or 4km in the Worlds Fun Run: Florida Edition. Registration is $30, with children 12 and under running for free.
Tallahassee&ndash;Leon County has long been a responsible steward of protecting natural resources through the implementation of environmentally conscious practices, and further actions have been incorporated into the planning and production of WXC Tallahassee 26 to ensure the event reflects the values of our community.&nbsp;
Sustainability efforts for WXC Tallahassee 26 include staffed recycling stations in high-traffic areas to help athletes and spectators properly sort waste; water refill stations to reduce single-use plastics; and a significant reduction in printed materials through the use of digital tools and QR codes. Catered events, including the welcome dinner and VIP hospitality lounge, will feature biodegradable bamboo and wood serving ware to reinforce waste-reduction goals.&nbsp;
In partnership with Sustainable Tallahassee, donated fabrics are being upcycled into deodoriser bags filled with Leon County&rsquo;s biochar &ndash; an odor-eliminating, environmentally beneficial product made from locally collected yard debris &ndash; which will be gifted to the 500-plus volunteers supporting the event. Guests are also encouraged to contribute to waste-reduction efforts by donating gently used sneakers at on-site collection stations, made possible through a partnership with a Florida-based shoe recycler.&nbsp;
WXC Tallahassee 26 builds on Apalachee Regional Park&rsquo;s reputation as one of the nation&rsquo;s top cross-country venues, having hosted more than 75 national, state and local championships. The 2026 event marks its largest stage yet.&nbsp; 
<h3>Event details&nbsp;</h3>
- Date: January 10 2026 - Location: Apalachee Regional Park - Tallahassee, Florida, USA - Spectator tickets and fun run registration: <a href="https://visittallahassee.com/WXC26" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visittallahassee.com/WXC26</a> - Follow along <a href="https://www.instagram.com/worldxcchampionships" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@worldxcchampionships</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/visit_tally" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@Visit_Tally</a>.&nbsp;

46th World Athletics Cross Country Championships

In just 30 days, the world’s premier cross-country athletes will descend on Tallahassee as the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 sees the global event return to the United States

30-day countdown begins for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26 

The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-relays/gaborone26/timetable" target="_blank" rel="noopener">timetable</a> for the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 has been published, as Botswana&rsquo;s capital prepares to welcome the world&rsquo;s fastest athletes on 2-3 May.
The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/stats-zone/road-to/7216920?eventId=204594">&lsquo;road to&rsquo; tracking tool</a> has also been launched, to help athletes, media and fans follow the qualification process for the global event. Searchable by discipline, federation and qualification status, the tool provides a real-time view of each event over the course of the qualification period.
The programme includes six events:
Women&rsquo;s 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay Men&rsquo;s 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay Mixed 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay
The weekend will kick off with the heats of the mixed 4x100m and the mixed 4x400m, and conclude with the women&rsquo;s and men&rsquo;s 4x400m finals.
The top eight teams in the relay events at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 secured their spots for Gaborone. The remaining places will be filled via top lists from 1 January 2025 to 5 April 2026, with host nation Botswana automatically entered in all events. A maximum of 24 teams will be entered in each event. In the mixed 4x100m, all 24 teams will be selected from top lists.
As well as World Relays titles, teams will be racing for qualification for both the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.
There are qualification opportunities on both days of competition in Gaborone. Six teams in both the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m in Gaborone will qualify for the 2026 Ultimate Championship, while 12 teams in every event in Gaborone will qualify for the 2027 World Championships.
On day one, eight teams in each of the six relay events will qualify for Beijing through qualification round one. These teams will then contest the final to compete for World Relays titles and prize money. Another four teams in each of the six events will secure their spots for Beijing through qualification round two on day two.
The second day of competition will also see six teams in each of the two mixed relay events qualify for Budapest.
The World Relays in Gaborone will be the first time that Botswana hosts a World Athletics Series event. It will be the eighth edition of the World Relays since the event launched in The Bahamas in 2014.
World Athletics

World Athletics Relays

The timetable for the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 has been published, as Botswana’s capital prepares to welcome the world’s fastest athletes on 2-3 May.

Timetable and 'road to' tool launch for World Relays Gaborone 26

The World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) has unveiled its 2026 World Cup calendar, featuring 16 races in 10 events across 10 countries, spanning three continents and introducing four new events to the circuit.
The 2026 calendar celebrates both tradition and innovation, bringing together iconic classics and exciting new venues, reflecting the global reach and rapid growth of mountain running. It travels from central Portugal to Asia, across the Atlantic, into the Alps, and finally to Canada for a spectacular finale.
The series begins in central Portugal, near Granja, Castro Daire, where S&atilde;o Br&aacute;s Cross &ndash; one of the new entries &ndash; opens the season with fast, technical and authentic Portuguese mountain terrain, perfect for early-season form-testing.
One weekend later, the circuit moves to Asia, where China hosts an uphill and an up &amp; down race among the dramatic ridgelines and the Great Wall.
Next is a classic, with a double weekend in Transvulcania and La Isla de La Palma. Set among the island&rsquo;s spectacular volcanic landscapes, this iconic island will offer an uphill and long-distance race.
The World Cup then crosses the Atlantic to the Sierra Nevada for another new addition, the Broken Arrow Skyrace, before travelling back to Europe &ndash; and into the Alps &ndash; as Austria hosts the legendary uphill race to the foot of the Grossglockner glacier.
The Vauban Mountain Trail is set in the alpine corridors and historic fortifications of Brian&ccedil;on, and features an uphill and an up &amp; down race, combining technical ridges with big views and a vibrant mountain sports culture.
Then it&rsquo;s on to Sierre-Zinal, where the finest athletes in the world gather to chase fast times through the heart of the Valais.
Italy hosts a classic season-defining weekend with Vertical Nasego (uphill) and Trofeo Nasego (long-distance). The combination of steep climbs, fast descents and passionate local support makes this a pivotal block in the race for overall and category standings.
The Maraton Trzech Jezior is a new long-distance entry into the calendar and hosts the long-distance final of the World Cup. Set among the lakes and rolling landscapes of western Poland, this flowing, forested course adds both speed and scenic beauty to the late season.
&nbsp;The World Cup season concludes at the D&eacute;fi des Couleurs in Canada with a spectacular finals weekend offering both an uphill and the classic up &amp; downhill final race. Autumn colours, technical forest trails and a festival-like atmosphere will create a world-class environment for the final fights for podiums and points.
The WMRA is introducing new category prize money for each of the World Cup disciplines in 2026: uphill, classic up &amp; downhill, and long-distance. This complements the overall WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 prize money available to the top 10 men and top 10 women. Across all races, total prize money will reach approximately &euro;250,000.
The WMRA also maintains its long-standing commitment to clean sport. Up to 30% of every race&rsquo;s registration fees is reinvested into anti-doping controls, ensuring that every single race undergoes testing.
WMRA for World Athletics
<h3>WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026</h3>
19 April: S&atilde;o Br&aacute;s Cross, up &amp; down (POR) 25-26 April: uphill and up &amp; down (CHN) 7-9 May: Transvulcania, uphill and long-distance (ESP) 19-21 June: Broken Arrow, uphill and long-distance (USA) 5 July: Grossglockner Mountain Run, up &amp; down (AUT) 18-19 July: Vauban Mountain Trail, uphill and up &amp; down &nbsp;(FRA) 8 August: Sierre-Zinal, long-distance (SUI) 5-6 September: Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego, uphill and long-distance (ITA) 19 September: Maraton Trzech Jezior, long-distance final (POL) 10-11 October: D&eacute;fi des Couleurs, uphill and up &amp; down finals (CAN)

The World Mountain Running Association has unveiled its 2026 World Cup calendar, featuring 16 races in 10 events across 10 countries

WMRA releases 2026 World Cup calendar

Kenya&rsquo;s Emmanuel Wanyonyi became the world and Diamond League 800m champion in 2025, a year in which he achieved four of the top six performances in the world. Those performances included a world lead of 1:41.44 in Monaco and a championship record of 1:41.86 to get gold at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 &ndash; another global title to go with his Olympic crown from Paris.
The 21-year-old reflects on his season and looks ahead to 2026.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On winning the track athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025, just two years on from winning the Rising Star honour:</h2>
"I&rsquo;m so happy and excited. I remember in 2023 I came here and I won the Rising Star of the year. Today, I am here again. I want to thank World Athletics for this journey. Second, I want to thank my fans a lot for the love they give to me. I don&rsquo;t have much to say, because I am so happy."
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6939a1351f1f9d85080a199d.jpg" alt="Emmanuel Wanyonyi receives his trophy from Letsile Tebogo at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
<div>
Emmanuel Wanyonyi receives his trophy from Letsile Tebogo at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&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" /> Chiara Montesano)
</div>
<h2>On winning the world title:</h2>
"I didn't take this race for granted. I wanted to do everything to secure the gold.&nbsp;I expected the race to be really competitive and very fast, but I wanted to make sure to just win this gold. Now, I need to defend this title. I want to be a double world champion. Maybe I will start to think about the world record too.&nbsp;It may not happen now, but I also want to win gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That's the biggest goal.
"The race was fast and hard. I prepared myself mentally for it. I wanted to run a fast race, that's why I went to the lead. I knew lactic acid was going to hit me. I ran a really fast first lap and it was a hard finish as well. That's why I had a surprised face after the finish. Everybody was strong."
<h2>On his consistency in the 800m:</h2>
"It&rsquo;s not easy to be consistent, to win the 800m, because it is so competitive. This means that my future is bright in the 800m.
"If you want to run 800m very fast, you need to be focused, to be a strong athlete, because the 800m is not easy to win continuously."
<h2>On the advice he received from David Rudisha in Tokyo and whether he was targeting Rudisha&rsquo;s world record:</h2>
"David told me: &lsquo;I&rsquo;m here to see you win this medal. Try to win&rsquo;. I don&rsquo;t have anything planned (in terms of breaking the world record). My plan is to make my body fit &ndash; I want to train well. Right now, I want to sit down and discuss with my coach about next season.
"In Tokyo, I said I would try to win, not to run a world record. I was coming to win a medal. I had a silver medal at the World Championships, so I was going in to try to win gold. I was not thinking about a world record at the World Championships."
<h2>On his goals for 2026:</h2>
"In 2026, I want to run the 800m. For now, I can&rsquo;t share with you my plans, because that&rsquo;s my secret!"
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8vdNYQ7627c?si=swmyCseA-CfE-cxp" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>On preparing for the next season:</h2>
"That&rsquo;s why I have a coach &ndash; these are questions for my coach! I am the athlete, I want to follow my coach. So, I think that is not my question. For now, I&rsquo;m starting to go on some long runs and build up."
<h2>On what he likes to do when he is not running and how he spent his time after Tokyo:</h2>
"I like to go on some holidays, but I don&rsquo;t want to travel too much. After the World Championships in Tokyo, I went home to see my mum for two or three weeks and then I went back to my camp."
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>

Kenya's world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi reflects on 2025 and looks ahead to next year.

World track athlete of the year Emmanuel Wanyonyi – in his words

Several historic firsts were achieved at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, including the first ever World Championships medals for Samoa, St Lucia and Uruguay, and a first ever World Championships gold for Tanzania.
This letter series continues with a message from world marathon bronze medallist Julia Paternain to her nation,&nbsp;Uruguay.
&nbsp;
<hr />
&nbsp;
In September, I crossed the finish line of the women&rsquo;s marathon in Tokyo, and with that, became the first athlete from Uruguay to win a medal on the World Championships stage.
First and foremost:&nbsp;thank you!&nbsp;To everyone who reached out, cheered for me, and supported me throughout this journey &ndash; you have no idea how much it means. Representing Uruguay and wearing&nbsp;&lsquo;La Celeste&rsquo;&nbsp;on the world stage will forever be one of my greatest honours. Since I was little, my family taught me to love Uruguay &ndash; our people, our culture, our values. Getting to share that with the world has been a joy.&nbsp;
One of the most special parts of this whole experience has been hearing from people who have said that my race inspired them to lace up their shoes and get out the door to run. Knowing that this race could make an impact beyond the stadium is so fulfilling and something truly special.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BF7y-9CE3QY?si=bcOBzgU8EQ6IL3ph" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Now, let me explain those last few hundred metres. Anyone who has run with me knows I&rsquo;m usually in la-la land when I run. I&rsquo;ve got lost more times than I can count, I&rsquo;m awful with directions, and in that moment I didn&rsquo;t even want to think about how much farther I had to go because, honestly, I was in a world of pain. Those last few miles of a marathon are what make the marathon so special, but oh my do they suck sometimes!&nbsp;
So, when I hit that final stretch, I wasn&rsquo;t even sure it was the finish &ndash; I was just hoping. Then, I crossed the line, a cameraman told me I was in third, and I was in absolute disbelief. I wasn&rsquo;t an All-American in college. I only made NCAA Outdoors once and came dead last. My path through college didn&rsquo;t point to this moment. I was one of the very last athletes to qualify for this race. And somehow, I walked away with a bronze medal. It still feels pretty surreal.
All this is to say, process over outcome &ndash; always. I&rsquo;m not one for wishy washy quotes, but one thing I do believe in is just trying. You don&rsquo;t always have to have some huge goal on the other side, but just start. When I was out there, I wasn&rsquo;t thinking about anyone else, I was just running. I was doing what I could do, and as long as I knew I had given my best, I knew I could walk away from the race with my head held high.&nbsp;
To all the little girls watching out there, I hope it shows that resilience and hard work can go a long, long way. Who knows what lies on the other side of that path, but the only way you will know is to try!
As for what comes next, for now, I&rsquo;ll be celebrating with my family and friends. It&rsquo;s not every day that you win a global medal, so I think it&rsquo;s important to be in the present. After that, I&rsquo;ll prepare for another marathon and do everything in my power to be able to continue representing Uruguay on the global stage.&nbsp;
Un fuerte abrazo.
Arigatō y Uruguay Nom&aacute;!
Julia

A letter from world marathon bronze medallist Julia Paternain to her nation, Uruguay.

A letter to my nation – Julia Paternain

Spanish race walker Maria Perez completed another golden double at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, repeating the 20km and 35km race walk victories she achieved at the World Championships in Budapest two years ago.
The now four-time world gold medallist, who remained undefeated in 2025, reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future.
<blockquote>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/awards/news/duplantis-mclaughlin-levrone-world-athletics-awards-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone named World Athletes of the Year</a>
</blockquote>
<div>
<h2>On winning the out of stadium athlete of the year award at the World Athletics Awards 2025:</h2>
&ldquo;A huge thank you to World Athletics and everyone who voted for this award. Winning four consecutive gold medals at the World Championships is no easy feat, so I also want to thank my team here today, especially my coach, because without them, none of this would be possible.
&ldquo;It's not just my award, but it belongs to the entire Spanish athletics community, and especially to race walking, which deserved recognition.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6937126c400620ec7543cd28.jpg" alt="Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025" />
<div>
Maria Perez at the World Athletics Awards 2025 (&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" /> Chiara Montesano)
</div>
<h2>On her development since 2021, when she finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics:</h2>
&ldquo;One thing that has helped me a lot, and that you all saw in Tokyo (World Championships), is that I have my idol, my rival and my friend (Italy&rsquo;s world 35km race walk silver medallist Antonella Palmisano, who won Olympic 20km race walk gold in Tokyo in 2021). One of the best things has been to keep going, working behind the scenes, so that you all can see the results &ndash; then to be able to share them with an idol, a rival, and now a friend like Antonella Palmisano. It's fundamental that one of the values of sport is camaraderie, and you don't have to be from the same country to have that camaraderie, right?&nbsp;
&ldquo;The Maria in 2021, when she was fourth (in the Olympic 20km race walk), is the same, the only thing is that she has matured athletically. Of course, I envision a podium without me (in future) &ndash; not because it is something that I wish for but because that would mean that race walk is progressing and the level is getting higher and higher.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she will cherish the most from the 2025 season:</h2>
&ldquo;It's difficult to choose. Obviously, both the 20km and the 35km will remain very close to my heart. The 35km was very hard for me. In the 35km, I had to think and save some of my legs for the upcoming event, but what I will remember is being able to share that moment with a great rival, and great friend at the same time, Antonella Palmisano.&rdquo;
<h2>On the changes to race walking distances in senior World Athletics Series events from 2026 (20km to half marathon and 35km to marathon):</h2>
&ldquo;The half marathon and marathon distances are what us race walkers would like to have because the marathon is closer to the 50km and a half marathon is closer to the 20km, so they are for different types of athletes.
&ldquo;My aim when I doubled in both Tokyo and Budapest was to prove that a 20km athlete can actually contest a 35km, it's not that complicated to do both distances, because the speed and the tempo is very similar. I want race walking and the marathon to have the respect that they deserve as the oldest events in the athletics calendar.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When I double, it's not because I want to win two medals. It's because I want to prove to the world that it doesn't make sense to have the 20km and the 35km and I want to give my race walking competitors a chance to have a distance that is fit for them.&rdquo;
<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XDeItckgYdg?si=QJZLufDdiE0u5_eY" width="100%" height="475" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>On the distance she feels she might be most competitive at:</h2>
&ldquo;I could be competitive in both, because they have done studies that have shown that physically, I can do both, and even potentially be a little bit more successful in the marathon. However, I am going to focus on the half marathon, because it is the Olympic event &ndash; I want to be competitive in LA (in 2028) and it is going to be my last Olympic cycle because after LA I would like to become a mother.&rdquo;
<h2>On whether she is targeting the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasilia 26:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm not sure yet. I've only just started training again, so we'll see. If I'm ready, I'll go, if I'm not ready, I won&rsquo;t. But I really want to thank the Spanish society for supporting me. I want to thank all of you, Spanish journalists, who have shared all the information about the World Championships and the successes of the Spanish team and myself. Right now, I want to give back &ndash; I want to do all the media events, I want to do all the events that I am asked to attend, to give something back to all the people that have supported me and shared all my successes.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My main target for next year is the European Championships in Birmingham. Antonella Palmisano is going to defend her title, so we'll see. In December, we're going to start training together. She's going to train in Italy, I'm going to train in Spain, but we are going to follow the same training programme with our individual coaches. It's an honest and good rivalry that we have, and then we'll meet again in Birmingham and see what happens.&rdquo;
<h2>On what she enjoys doing when she is not competing or training:</h2>
&ldquo;I'm a big basketball fan. I like watching basketball games in Granada. I like walking around the city, just sightseeing. And I like staying with my family because I live very far from them. Lately, one thing I have really enjoyed is playing cards with my great grandmother.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>

Spanish race walker Maria Perez reflects on her successful season and looks ahead to the future

World out of stadium athlete of the year Maria Perez – in her words

<ul>
<li>Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world</li>
</ul>
The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), in partnership with World Athletics and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), has launched &lsquo;Aim Beyond&rsquo; &ndash; a project that aims to empower youth and underserved communities through the transformative power of sport.
As part of the project, 11 state-of-the-art, eco-friendly and inclusive running tracks will be constructed across 11 countries around the world, in Anguilla, Burundi, Cook Islands, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Palestine, Panama, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Ukraine.
The project reflects Qatar&rsquo;s deep belief in the power of sport to promote sustainable development, peace and social cohesion. It also underscores the country&rsquo;s determination to transform sporting legacy into a tangible tool for positive change in the lives of youth and communities.
The tracks to be built are distinguished by their inclusivity, accommodating the needs of athletes with disabilities, and by their sustainability, using eco-friendly materials. The new tracks will also serve as community hubs that promote the values of sporting excellence and strengthen young athletes&rsquo; sense of belonging to their communities.
&ldquo;In many communities around the world, athletic talent is abundant, but facilities are not &ndash; and that&rsquo;s where Aim Beyond makes its mark,&rdquo; said World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, who attended the signing ceremony for the project in Doha on Monday (8). &ldquo;Partnerships drive our mission to make athletics accessible and inspiring for all, and the collaboration between World Athletics, QOC and QFFD is exactly the kind of strategic, human-centred teamwork our sport needs.
&ldquo;Together, we are strengthening infrastructure for our Member Federations, opening doors that many young athletes have never been able to walk through, and ensuring the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships continues to reach well beyond Qatar.
&ldquo;My sincere thank you to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, whose vision and commitment to athletics are helping to shape the future of our sport. Our sport owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.&rdquo;
The announcement of the project came pursuant to the agreement signed by the QOC Secretary General H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain and the QFFD Director General Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, held from 6-8 December under the theme &lsquo;Diplomacy, Dialogue and Diversity&rsquo;.
H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain said: &ldquo;Aim Beyond is an ambitious project to create a world where every aspiring athlete has access to facilities to aim beyond their limits. Just as Doha 2019 allowed Qatar to aim beyond its limits in pursuit of its ultimate dream, so too will this project create opportunities for young athletes to reach their full potential.
&ldquo;We are proud that through this ambitious project, the legacy of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships will continue to shape the future of athletics &ndash; transcending borders and serving as a symbol of commitment, hope and opportunity.&rdquo;
Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti said: &ldquo;At Qatar Fund for Development, we firmly believe that sport is a transformative catalyst for human development and social progress and our partnership today with the Qatar Olympic Committee project reflects this commitment.
&ldquo;By establishing inclusive and sustainable athletics tracks in underserved communities, we are creating pathways for young people to develop their talents, strengthen their capabilities, and realise their full potential. This initiative is not merely about constructing facilities, it is about laying the foundations for brighter, more prosperous futures.&rdquo;
The signing ceremony during the Doha Forum &ndash; a premier global platform for dialogue and diplomacy &ndash; highlights how sport can drive sustainable development, peace and human development. The forum brings together global leaders, policymakers and innovators to discuss critical challenges and shape action-driven solutions.
World Athletics

Partnership with World Athletics includes construction of 11 running tracks in 11 countries around the world

Qatar launches ‘Aim Beyond’ project to empower youth through sport

Kenya&rsquo;s Joyciline Jepkosgei set a world lead of 2:14:00 to move to fourth on the world all-time list at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso &ndash; a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label event &ndash; on Sunday (7).&nbsp;
The 31-year-old improved the course record by almost a minute and finished 43 seconds ahead of her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir, who became the sixth-fastest women&rsquo;s marathon runner in history with her runner-up performance of 2:14:43.
In the men&rsquo;s race, Kenya&rsquo;s John Korir claimed a dominant win in 2:02:24, improving his PB by 20 seconds to record the third-quickest time of the year and move to eighth on the world all-time list.
The women&rsquo;s contest had been billed as a thrilling clash between the two Kenyan aces Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei, their respective lifetime bests just eight seconds apart (2:16:16 and 2:16:24).
Perfectly paced by Julius Bwambok (Jepchirchir) and Felix Kibiwott Ruto (Jepkosgei), both reached the 5km mark in 16:16 in the company of the Ethiopian pair of 2023 world champion Amane Beriso and Fikrte Wereta. First Wereta was dropped and then Beriso lost touch as they approached 10km, resulting in the anticipated Jepchirchir versus Jepkosgei showdown.
The pair went through 10km in 32:00 and their cadence began to increase as the following 10km section was covered in a frantic 31:06. They reached the half-marathon mark in 1:06:34, putting them on track for a big improvement on the targeted world-leading performance of 2:14:57. They were followed some way back by Wereta (1:08:27) and Beriso (1:09:08).
Another powerful 31:41 10km split saw them reach 30km in 1:34:47 and the race entered its most thrilling phase as Jepchirchir&rsquo;s pacemaker dropped out. Even so, the world champion managed to create a slight gap on Jepkosgei, but the latter responded.
The key movement came with around three kilometres remaining, when Jepkosgei maintained her 3:10/3:11 kilometre rhythm but Jepchirchir, competing just 12 weeks after claiming the world title in Tokyo, began to gradually lose ground and she was 15 seconds back by the 40km mark.
Jepkosgei was rewarded with a prestigious win and big PB of 2:14:00, while 2020 winner Jepchirchir held on for the runner-up spot in 2:14:43 &ndash; the second-fastest time in the world this year and another huge PB.
In the fight for the remaining place on the podium, the fading Wereta and Beriso were easily overtaken by several athletes and third place was secured by Chloe Herbiet who ran a four-minute PB of 2:20:38 to break the long-standing Belgian record of 2:23:06. She ran a perfectly-judged race, completed with a negative split (1:10:51 and 1:09:47). Finland&rsquo;s Alisa Vainio and Australia&rsquo;s Jessica Stenson finished fourth and fifth in respective national records of 2:20:48 and 2:21:24.
Jepkosgei, who set the second of her world half marathon records in Valencia in 2017, said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m so excited. I can&rsquo;t believe I have won here. Definitely Valencia brings me good luck, as I set a world half marathon record here some years ago. I&rsquo;m delighted to have bettered my PB by such a large amount.&rdquo;
The men&rsquo;s event promised an assault on the world lead of 2:02:16 set by Sebastian Sawe in Berlin. Perfectly guided by a trio of pacemakers &ndash; Benson Tunyo, Francis Abong and Mako Ako &ndash; a large leading men&rsquo;s group went through the opening 5km in 14:37, slightly slower than scheduled.
That pace was maintained until the leading pack reached the 10km checkpoint in 29:17. The group had whittled down to five athletes by then: Ethiopia&rsquo;s course record-holder Sisay Lemma and debutant Gemechu Dida, plus Kenyans Korir, Hillary Kipkoech and Justus Kangogo. Korir was always to the fore, running closest to the pacemakers.
Another 5km split of 14:33 meant they reached 15km in 43:50 as Lemma led the quintet and Korir ran at the back of the pack at that point. The pace settled at 2:56 per kilometre and they reached the half-marathon mark in 1:01:46.
It was Dida who took charge of the pacing duties once the pacemakers dropped out at around 25km (1:13:17), but he was soon overtaken by Korir. The 2024 Chicago and 2025 Boston marathon winner then upped the pace to quickly open a sizeable margin over his four chasers, although Lemma soon began to lose ground
Korir was a lonesome leader by the 30km checkpoint, which he reached in 1:27:31 &ndash; 35 seconds ahead of the trio of Kangogo, Kipkoech and Dida. Meanwhile, a charging Amanal Petros travelled another 45 seconds back alongside Norwegian debutant Awet Kibrab.
Korir covered the 30-40km section in 28:39 to widen his lead and threaten the world lead, finally crossing the finish line in a lifetime best of 2:02:24 after respective halves of 1:01:47 and 1:00:37.
Germany&rsquo;s world silver medallist Petros finished like a train to secure the runner-up place and regain the German record thanks to a 2:04:03 effort (1:02:41 and 1:01:22) and Kibrab took a surprise third place in a national record of 2:04:24. Japan&rsquo;s Suguru Osako also dipped under the 2:05 barrier thanks to a national record of 2:04:55. Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee finished seventh in 2:06:38.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m over the moon as I got the win and also a career best,&rdquo; said Korir. &ldquo;After my DNF in Chicago I believed in myself and soon set the goal of building up for Valencia. My main target today was the win but I knew that would likely lead me to a very fast time, so I can&rsquo;t ask for more.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:14:00 2 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:14:43 3 Chloe Herbiet (BEL) 2:20:38 4 Alisa Vainio (FIN) 2:20:48 5 Jessica Stenson (AUS) 2:21:24 6 Glenrose Xaba (RSA) 2:23:22 7 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:23:35 8 Lonah Salpeter (ISR) 2:23:45 9 Meritxell Soler (ESP) 2:23:49 10 Natasha Wilson (GBR) 2:24:21&nbsp;
Men 1 John Korir (KEN) 2:02:24 2 Amanal Petros (GER) 2:04:03 3 Awet Kibrab (NOR) 2:04:24 4 Suguru Osako (JPN) 2:04:55 5 Gashau Ayale (ISR) 2:05:29 6 Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:06:11 7 Alex Yee (GBR) 2:06:38 8 Felix Bour (FRA) 2:06:41 9 Filmon Tesfu (NED) 2:06:42 10 Gemechu Dida (ETH) 2:06:45
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/calendar-results/7219905/result" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Results</a>
&nbsp;

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei set a world lead of 2:14:00 to move to fourth on the world all-time list at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso

Jepkosgei runs world-leading course record to win Valencia Marathon

Noah Lyles&nbsp;will return to Boston to race at his eighth&nbsp;New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, while Jake Wightman&nbsp;will take on&nbsp;Grant Fisher in a 2000m clash during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting on 24 January.
Lyles will compete in Boston following a 2025 campaign that began with a fourth consecutive 60m victory at the indoor meeting and ended with a fourth successive world 200m title. He also claimed bronze in the 100m and anchored the US team to gold in the 4x100m relay at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
In an exciting clash of athletes stepping up and down in distance, the men&rsquo;s 2000m will be headlined by Great Britain&rsquo;s 2022 world 1500m champion&nbsp;Jake Wightman&nbsp;and USA&rsquo;s Olympic 5000m and 10,000m bronze medallist&nbsp;Grant Fisher.
Having missed major championships in 2023 and 2024 due to injuries, Wightman roared back to form this year, claiming world 1500m silver in Tokyo. Fisher&rsquo;s achievements in 2025 included world records in the short track 3000m and 5000m.
Also returning to the&nbsp;New Balance Indoor Grand Prix&nbsp;will be&nbsp;Elle St. Pierre, the North American record-holder in the 3000m and short track mile.
St. Pierre, a native of nearby Vermont, won 3000m gold at the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, two years after securing silver in the same event in Belgrade.
Organisers for World Athletics

Noah Lyles will return to Boston to race at his eighth New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, while Jake Wightman will take on Grant Fisher in a 2000m clash during the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting

Lyles returns, Wightman and Fisher in 2000m clash in Boston

Weini Kelati Frezghi and Parker Wolfe were convincing winners of the senior titles at the US Cross Country Championships in Portland on Saturday (6) as the host nation selected its team for the upcoming World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26.
The first six athletes to finish in both the men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s 10km races at Glendoveer Golf Course booked their spot on the US team for the global event on 10 January 2026.
It was a race of redemption for both of the winners. When Kelati Frezghi last competed in a trial to make a national team, she placed fourth in both the 5000m and 10,000m at this year&rsquo;s US Championships, narrowly missing out on making the team for the World Championships in Tokyo. Wolfe, meanwhile, placed third in the 5000m at last year&rsquo;s US Olympic Trials, but was a few seconds shy of the qualifying mark and so was unable to earn his place on the team.
Today in Portland, however, both Kelati Frezghi and Wolfe guaranteed their selection in emphatic style.
Emma Grace Hurley and Parker Valby were among the early leaders of a large lead pack in the women&rsquo;s race as 2km was reached in 6:29. The pack had been whittled down to nine women at 4km (13:25) with Kelati Frezghi leading. Just one kilometre later, the pack had been reduced to a trio &ndash; Katie Izzo, Kelati Frezghi and Ednah Kurgat &ndash; as the half-way point was reached in 16:44.
Kurgat dropped behind a few minutes later, then Izzo was next to fade, leaving Kelati Frezghi out in front for the final three kilometres. She extended her lead with each lap, eventually crossing the finish line in 33:46. Izzo finished second in 34:01, comfortably ahead of Kurgat (34:10).
&ldquo;I thought that last year was going to be my last cross-country race, but when I heard that the World Cross Country Championships were going to be in the US, I thought &lsquo;why not try to make the team and represent USA and show the world we can be competitive&rsquo;,&rdquo; said Kelati Frezghi, who finished 14th at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships. &ldquo;I came here to make the team and I&rsquo;m so happy I did that.&rdquo;
The men&rsquo;s race played out in similar fashion. Having gone through 3km in 8:35, the large early lead group was down to six men at the half-way point, reached in 14:28 with the likes of Wolfe, US 5000m record-holder Nico Young and world and Olympic finalist Graham Blanks still in contention.
By 8km, reached in 23:25, Rocky Hansen led from Wolfe with Wesley Kiptoo a few strides further behind in third. Wolfe closed the gap on Hansen over the next kilometre as Kiptoo faded slightly. With 27:15 on the clock, Wolfe overtook Hansen. About 50 seconds later, Wolfe increased his tempo and started to open up a gap on the long-time leader.
By the finish line, Wolfe&rsquo;s lead had grown to eight seconds as he won in 29:17. Hansen held on for second (29:25) with Kiptoo claiming third (29:28).
&ldquo;After missing out on the Paris Olympics, I&rsquo;ve been looking to make a US team,&rdquo; said Wolfe. &ldquo;This was a fun experience and I&rsquo;m excited to represent USA.&rdquo;
In other events, Ethan Strand won the men&rsquo;s 2km race from Wes Porter, 5:26 to 5:27, while Gracie Morris was a clear winner of the women&rsquo;s 2km (6:20), finishing three seconds clear of Sage Hurta-Klecker.
Aidan Torres won the U20 men&rsquo;s 8km (25:11) and Victoria Garces took the U20 women&rsquo;s race by 14 seconds in 21:07.
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (10km) 1 Weini Kelati Frezghi 33:46 2 Katie Izzo 34:01 3 Ednah Kurgat 34:10 4 Karissa Schweizer 34:17 5 Emily Venters 34:21 6 Grace Hartman 34:26
Men (10km) 1 Parker Wolfe 29:17 2 Rocky Hansen 29:25 3 Wesley Kiptoo 29:28 4 Ahmed Muhumed 29:34 5 Nico Young 29:42 6 Graham Blanks 29:45

Weini Kelati Frezghi and Parker Wolfe were convincing winners of the senior titles at the US Cross Country Championships in Portland

Kelati Frezghi and Wolfe take US cross-country titles in Portland

Mathew Kipkoech stormed to victory in the senior men&rsquo;s race at the Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run, while Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema claimed the women&rsquo;s title at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold meeting held in Eldoret on Saturday (6). Both athletes mastered a brutal course on Chepsaita&rsquo;s rolling hills that humbled hundreds of runners across categories.
Chepsaita, whose name in the local language refers to a place where &ldquo;droplets fall on to the ground&rdquo;, certainly lived up to its meaning &ndash; only this time, it was sweat providing the downpour. The cross-country course sits about 54km west of Eldoret along the Eldoret-Uganda highway, and nearly every winner mentioned just how tough it was as they caught their breath at the finish.
As promised by the organisers, this year&rsquo;s edition was bigger, more competitive, and undeniably more dramatic.
The senior men&rsquo;s 10km race drew the day&rsquo;s largest field with 364 entrants. It was also the fastest and arguably the most competitive, the leaders hitting the first lap counter in 6:34.
Kipkoech, currently world ranked No.3 in cross country, remained patient until the final lap, moving to the front with Kisa Kipserem, Vincent Kimaiyo and Cornelius Konor close behind. The last lap turned into a fierce, exhausted scramble for the line. Kipkoech summoned one last burst to win in 31:49 before collapsing as first-aid responders rushed over. Konor finished one second behind, with Kipserem third in 31:51. The top five were separated by a single second each.
&ldquo;Last year, I was third in Chepsaita, and I went back to the drawing board with the aim of coming back and improving my performance,&rdquo; said Kipkoech. &ldquo;I just put in more effort in training and remained focused. This win means a lot to me.&rdquo;
The senior women&rsquo;s 10km featured 175 runners. Faith Cherono led Dorcus Ndiema, Mercy Chepkemoi and Emmaculet Jepkosgei through the first lap in 7:31. Jepkosgei was the first to slip back, followed by Chepkemoi, leaving Ndiema and Cherono stride for stride at halfway.
But the afternoon heat and punishing terrain soon reshuffled the order. Ndiema pushed to the front and held it all the way to the finish, clocking 35:44. Brenda Jepchirchir surged from behind to take second in 36:08, while Cherono, visibly struggling and collapsing after the line, settled for third in 36:39.
Just like Kipkoech, Ndiema was already familiar with the course &ndash; an advantage she believes helped her clinch the title.
&ldquo;Last year, I was in the under-20 category and finished seventh,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;My transition to the senior category has been great.&rdquo;
Joan Chepkurui, who finished fourth over 3000m at the Kenyan trials for the African U20 and U18 Championships, won the U20 women&rsquo;s 6km title in 21:34. Kelvin Kariankei took the U20 men&rsquo;s 8km race in 25:20, winning comfortably by seven seconds.
Before the U20 events, younger age-group races served as curtain-raisers and a reminder of the depth of Kenya&rsquo;s future talent. Athletics icons Paul Tergat and Beatrice Chebet were among those presenting awards to the children.
Justin Lagat for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women (10km) 1 Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema (KEN) 35:44 2 Brenda Jepchirchir (KEN) 36:08 3 Faith Cherono (KEN) 36:39 4 Christine Komen (KEN) 36:46 5 Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei (KEN) 36:51
Men (10km) 1 Mathew Kipkoech (KEN) 31:49 2 Cornelius Kipkosgei Konor (KEN) 31:50 3 Sammy Kisa Kapserem (KEN) 31:51 4 Vincent Kimaiyo (KEN) 31:52 5 Amos Kiprotich (KEN) 31:53

Mathew Kipkoech stormed to victory in the senior men’s race at the Great Chepsaita Run, while Dorcus Chepkwemoi Ndiema claimed the women’s title

Former world steeplechase record-holder O'Brien dies

Boonson completes gold medal treble as records fall at Southeast Asian Games

A letter to my nation – Alphonce Simbu

World out-of-stadium athlete of the year Sabastian Sawe – in his words

Battocletti and Ndikumwenayo claim European cross-country titles in Lagoa