Danny Mackey is the head coach and manager of the Brooks Beasts Track Club, whose current 18-athlete roster includes three-time world champion Josh Kerr. A former athlete himself, he sat down with World Athletics to talk about his coaching journey...
<h3>Did your coaching journey begin with injury first?</h3>
Yeah, a little bit. I went to university to be a doctor and then switched to a double major in business and pre-med. I was captain on the cross-country team and loved racing and running. We trained really intense in college and I got hurt quite a bit. Back then we didn&rsquo;t have the resources we have now at universities, you just had to figure it out. And I really liked that figuring it out side and working with the human body. In my senior year I was like I want to be a college professor and coach collegiately. I went to grad school at a really top university for physiology and biomechanics here in the US and then taught in grad school and coached at the university as well for two years. I fully intended to do a Phd and then work while coaching but it&rsquo;s pretty hard to get university jobs. I applied to over 200 university jobs over a two-year period and didn&rsquo;t get any offers. So then I worked at Nike in their sports research and innovation lab for about four years and had a similar job at Adidas. And then while that was happening, I was coaching pro athletes on the side and I also ran professional for Brooks after grad school before getting the job with Nike. So I knew Brooks as a company, and they reached out. So, I started the team almost 15 years ago.
<h3>With your injury background and your subject study, are you focused on the science side of things and also conscious of athlete injury?</h3>
The first person I hired was a physiotherapist when most coaches would hire an assistant coach first. So I went in that route, and science definitely permeates how I think about training and responses on the body. But when you&rsquo;ve been doing this as long as I have now I definitely have become more appreciative of the art form of it too. I&rsquo;m learning a lot, studying a lot, the psychological aspects and what are the best ways to make sure that athletes have the right tools to cope with stress and anxiety as running is a form of that. The more that they can work on it, the better they race.
<h3>Are you still evolving and learning as a coach?</h3>
Yeah, I&rsquo;m a pretty curious person. I have a standard approach that isn&rsquo;t that different than it was at the start but even this year I&rsquo;ve done different training. I guess it would get dull if it was the same. The sport changes. You have your guiding principals which very rarely change and you&rsquo;re also thinking what else can I be doing for the athletes to get faster.&nbsp;
<h3>Talking about going faster, you&rsquo;re working on a world record in the mile for Josh Kerr. How do you coach for that?</h3>
It&rsquo;s so different actually. Josh and I have always been focused on championships. Until he got pushed and injured in Tokyo, he had run a season&rsquo;s or personal best in every Olympic or World final for six years. But for the world record you don&rsquo;t know what other guys are going to do so you have to prepare for three or four different scenarios. Is he going to need to sit and kick in the last 200m, is it going to be a hard push for 600 out? So we&rsquo;re working out a lot of game scenarios we have to be ready for. It&rsquo;s so different because we&rsquo;ve never tried to target time. So, I&rsquo;m looking at the data to see what should the first 200 be like, what should the first 400 be to not burn through the phosphate system too much, then having a pacer. Those types of things we don&rsquo;t normally work on so it&rsquo;s been interesting, it&rsquo;s been fun, it&rsquo;s been a cool task.
<h3>It&rsquo;s like a high-speed puzzle to solve together isn&rsquo;t it? Do the workouts have to change if going for ultimate pace?</h3>
Totally, yeah. We were doing 800m repeats last week and we were running world record pace for them and I was like, &ldquo;you can&rsquo;t go any faster&rdquo;.&nbsp;
<h3>Does that put stress on the body, is it a risk?</h3>
For some people, for sure but I&rsquo;ve always protected and pushed Josh so it&rsquo;s not anything crazier then we&rsquo;ve done getting ready for Budapest or Paris or Tokyo. It&rsquo;s just about building to do this. Of course you worry your athletes will get hurt but we&rsquo;re not killing him.
<h3>What makes a good coach-athlete relationship?</h3>
Since we&rsquo;re talking about Josh, I&rsquo;d say we&rsquo;re really transparent with each other. If it&rsquo;s something that he thinks I might not want to hear he&rsquo;ll still tell me and we&rsquo;ll talk about it, and the same goes with me. I don&rsquo;t hide stuff from Josh. Also, I think it&rsquo;s important to keep your ego in check.&nbsp;
<h3>What makes a good coach then?</h3>
I think putting the athlete first is a really hard thing to do because they&rsquo;ll come at me with a lot of kind crazy stuff. I think really caring about the proper culture, I think that&rsquo;s huge. And I think it&rsquo;s important athletes feel they can express themselves, which is ultimately what they&rsquo;re doing when they&rsquo;re racing.&nbsp;
<h3>Is there such a thing as a perfect athlete for middle-distance running?</h3>
Wilson Kipketer. He&rsquo;s 5ft 7in, legs up to his chest, a big chest cavity which probably means big lungs, he&rsquo;s got muscular lean legs and super smooth form. He was awesome to watch.&nbsp;
<h3>There&rsquo;s a lot of hats to wear being a coach aren&rsquo;t there?</h3>
There&rsquo;s so many roles for a coach. Sometimes you need to be a business advisor, to talk through relational things that might be relevant to training, and trying to find out everything that&rsquo;s going on with them as that&rsquo;s beneficial to help them. It&rsquo;s definitely like a service job.
<h3>As a coach how do you keep across so many athletes (18)?</h3>
Yeah, I have a three-year-old daughter too so it&rsquo;s really hard. I work seven days a week. I try to get time for myself to run and go to jiujitsu but I also work when my daughter goes to bed. It&rsquo;s not super sustainable but I do love it. I would like a little bit less people or more help because it&rsquo;s not a healthy way to live but I love what I do so it&rsquo;s fine.
<h3>You&rsquo;re a victim of your success?</h3>
I never thought of it that way! I guess so.

World Athletics Ultimate Championship

Danny Mackey coaches 18 athletes, including three-time world champion Josh Kerr. The American sits down for our latest Q&A.

Coaching class with Danny Mackey

Kenya&rsquo;s current World Cup leaders Michael Saoli and Joyce Muthoni Njeru will be among the athletes in action when the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup resumes in the United States for rounds six and seven of the series at Broken Arrow Skyrace in Palisades Tahoe, California.
Competition gets under way on Friday (19) with the Ascent, the next uphill contest on this year&rsquo;s circuit, before athletes return to the trails on Sunday (21) for the 23km, the next long-distance challenge of the World Cup season.
With valuable points on offer and demanding mountain terrain awaiting the athletes, the battles at the front of both races are expected to play a significant role in shaping the World Cup standings as the season enters its second half.
The Ascent starts on the valley floor and climbs 914 metres over 4.8 kilometres to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708 metres. It takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the &lsquo;stairway to heaven&rsquo; bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree.
The 23km Skyrace features nearly 1400 meters of elevation gain across alpine ridges, snowfields and technical descents. It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and the &lsquo;stairway to heaven&rsquo;.
Saoli and Muthoni Njeru both face some tough opposition in Palisades Tahoe.
Last year&rsquo;s Skyrace winner Elhousine Elazzaoui returns fresh from his recent triumph at Zegama. Christian Allen and Anna Gibson, who claimed victory in the Ascent, are also back to defend their crowns.
Almost every athlete who stood on the podium in last year&rsquo;s Ascent and Skyrace will be back on the start line, with only Joe Gray absent from the lineup.&nbsp;
Gibson and Muthoni Njeru, who won the Skyrace last year and was second in the Ascent, will be joined this time by Madalina Florea and Jade Belzberg, while the men&rsquo;s field features Elazzaoui, Allen, Philemon Kiriago, Patrick Kipngeno and Cameron Smith, setting the stage for a series of high-profile rematches in the mountains.
The elite fields are packed with athletes targeting podium finishes across both races. Making his Broken Arrow debut, Paul Machoka is set to take on the double. Italy boasts a strong hand through Luca Merli, while the United States will field a number of athletes capable of featuring at the sharp end of the competition including Tyler McCandless, Caleb Olson and Liam Meirow.
The women&rsquo;s races look equally enticing. Last year&rsquo;s World Cup runner-up, Valentine Jepkoech Rutto, will also contest both events, joined by exciting French talents Nelie Clement and Marie Nivet. Sara Willhoit arrives in strong form following an impressive World Cup campaign, while Nienke Brinkman&rsquo;s comeback continues in the 23km race. As in the men&rsquo;s competition, the home nation is well represented, with Tabor Hemming, Courtney Coppinger and Lauren Gregory leading a strong US contingent with podium ambitions.
The Ascent starts at 8:00am local time on Friday 19 June and the 23km Skyrace at 8:00am for the women and 8:20am for the men on Sunday 21 June.&nbsp;
Kirsty Reade (WMRA) for World Athletics
&nbsp;

Kenya’s current World Cup leaders Michael Saoli and Joyce Muthoni Njeru will be among the athletes in action when the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup resumes in the United States for rounds six and seven of the series at Broken Arrow Skyrace

Broken Arrow to reignite Mountain Running World Cup battle in California

Inaugural edition of World Athletics Ultimate Championship will feature USA's Tara Davis-Woodhall in competition and as lead content creator
 Olympic long jump gold medallist and world champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has been announced as an Ultimate Star for the first edition of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, due to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from 11-13 September.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In addition to competing at the new global championship, USA's Davis-Woodhall will bring her social media savvy in serving as the lead content creator in the lead-up to and during the event. She will also have a role in supporting other content creators connected to the championship.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Tara Davis-Woodhall has mastered the balancing act of being one of the best in the world in the long jump and sharing her authentic story with audiences using her own voice,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. &ldquo;She has an extraordinary ability to leverage her platforms to create fandom all while pursuing excellence in athletics. We are proud to partner with her as part of the Ultimate Championship, which at its core is designed to showcase our athletes as the multi-dimensional stars they are.&rdquo;
The Ultimate Championship will mark a triumphant return to Hungary for the 27-year-old. Davis-Woodhall earned her first senior global medal, a silver, at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. She went on to become Olympic champion in 2024 in Paris and followed that up with gold at the World Championships in Tokyo in 2025. Her wins in Paris and Tokyo earned her an automatic invitation to the Ultimate Championship. Davis-Woodhall has been exploring the breadth of her own athleticism in 2026 by also competing in the 100m hurdles.
&ldquo;The opportunity to not only compete but also help shape the stories told at the Ultimate Championship was something I couldn&rsquo;t turn down,&rdquo; said Davis-Woodhall. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m thrilled to see that with the Ultimate, World Athletics truly wants to celebrate all of my passions and interests, whether that is as an athlete or through content creation.&rdquo;
The World Athletics Ultimate Championship is designed to settle the debate over who is the best of the best &ndash; with world champions, Olympic champions, Wanda Diamond League winners and the year&rsquo;s top-ranked athletes all striving to be crowned the champion of champions.
Learn more about the Ultimate Championship <a href="https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-ultimate-championship/2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
&nbsp;

Inaugural edition of World Athletics Ultimate Championship will feature USA's Tara Davis-Woodhall in competition and as lead content creator

Davis-Woodhall announced as Ultimate Star

From volunteering at local sporting events in Botswana to stepping on to the athletics track as a rising technical official, Sherrine Barrows&rsquo; journey is one of unwavering determination. Born in Mahalapye and raised in Gaborone, the 28-year-old has steadily built her career through discipline, curiosity and the support of mentors who recognised her potential early on.
At the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26, Barrows was selected as one of the national technical officials, serving as assistant to the starter.
&ldquo;Being selected was one of the biggest moments of my life,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I was overwhelmed with happiness when I received the letter confirming that I would be part of the World Relays.&rdquo;
Barrows, a qualified occupational health and safety officer, works full-time at a construction company in Ghanzi, about 650 kilometres from Gaborone. She took time off to officiate at the World Relays and was touched by the support she received from her colleagues.
&ldquo;My boss was genuinely happy for me when I explained to him what this meant for me,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;My colleagues were excited too, and some travelled a long distance to watch the relays in person. That support made the experience unforgettable.&rdquo;
Barrows&rsquo; journey into athletics began through volunteering with the Sport Volunteer Movement, a programme in Botswana that encourages individuals and the community to participate in sport through volunteering. Although she had always loved sport, it was athletics that eventually captured her interest.
&ldquo;Whenever there was a sports event in Gaborone &ndash; cycling, marathons, athletics or another sport &ndash; I would sign up to volunteer,&rdquo; she added.&nbsp;&ldquo;One of those events was the Botswana National Athletics Championships in Gaborone, and that is where my interest really began.&rdquo;
Her first volunteer role in athletics was working with the start team as a runner, before walkie-talkies were introduced. She carried start lists between officials and quickly found herself learning from the experienced team around her.
&ldquo;What made a big difference was how kind and helpful the team was,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;They guided me, answered my questions sincerely, and that support is a big part of why I grew to love the work.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a329022cc1de46ed1a32948.jpeg" alt="Sherrine Barrows (right) at the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26" />
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Sherrine Barrows (right) at the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26
Among those who left the biggest impression on her was experienced national race starter Philander Villander, whose willingness to teach helped Barrows develop both knowledge and confidence.
After continuing to volunteer at athletics competitions, Barrows&rsquo; enthusiasm soon led her towards officiating. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Competition Director Thomas Ndadziila encouraged her to pursue formal training as a technical official, for which she earned a national level certificate through the World Athletics Referee Education and Certification System (WARECS). The BAA encourages the participation of females in different roles, including coaching, officiating and administration.
&ldquo;After passing the practical assessment and receiving my certificate, I felt that I was on the right path,&rdquo; she said.
Barrows believes mentorship has been central to her growth in the sport.
&ldquo;I would confidently say that Mr Starter,&rdquo; she said with a laugh, referring to Villander, &ldquo;has played a mentorship role in my life from day one, and he still does. Even when I make a mistake or misunderstand something, he does not shout at me or embarrass me. Instead, he stays calm and helps me understand what to do.&rdquo;
The support from her mentors gave Barrows the confidence to keep asking questions and deepening her understanding of the rules and procedures of officiating.
&ldquo;I remember the first time I was appointed assistant starter. It was a big moment for me, and I was given real responsibility. Experiences like that can be intimidating, but his (Villander&rsquo;s) support made them manageable.&rdquo;
One of the biggest tests of Barrows&rsquo; career came at this year&rsquo;s Botswana Golden Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event, where she worked as assistant starter in front of international delegates, athletes and a large crowd. Barrows felt the weight of the moment strongly.
&ldquo;What helped me most was the way the senior officials spoke to me,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;They reminded me to breathe, stay calm, and trust my experience. Hearing someone say: &lsquo;You have done this before. You understand it, just be yourself,&rsquo; made the situation much easier to manage. That kind of reassurance helped me stay focused and do my job with confidence.&rdquo;
Looking ahead, Barrows is clear about her ambitions in athletics officiating.
&ldquo;My goal is to develop from assistant starter into a starter and learn how to manage race starts with confidence and skill,&rdquo; she said.
For Barrows, the journey from volunteer to technical official has reinforced her belief that by remaining teachable, staying ready and having the support of those willing to guide the next generation, anything is possible.
&ldquo;In the long term, I see myself becoming an international starter, and I want to keep upgrading my qualifications, growing as a technical official, and progressing with patience and discipline,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;I know the journey will be challenging, but I am ready for that.&rdquo;
As Barrows&rsquo; story shows, mentorship is one of the most powerful tools to accelerate change. The guidance and support from her mentors has given her the confidence to grow and progress in the sport.
World Athletics is calling on Member Federations, Area Associations, coaches, technical officials, administrators, athletes and partners worldwide to commit their time, resources and support to mentor young girls and women in athletics as a commitment help close the gender gap.
Learn more on the <a href="https://worldathletics.org/women-in-athletics/news/international-womens-day-2026-mentoring-pledge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women in Athletics website</a>.
Maphuti Hlako for World Athletics
&nbsp;
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World Athletics Relays

From volunteering at local sporting events in Botswana to stepping on to the athletics track as a rising technical official, Sherrine Barrows’ journey is one of unwavering determination

Sherrine Barrows – Botswana's confident rising starter

The local organizing committee for the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 (WU20 Oregon 26) is pleased to announce the return of <a href="https://worldathletics.org/news/press-releases/legend-the-bigfoot-announced-as-official-mascot-of-world-athletics-championships-oregon22">Legend the Bigfoot</a> as the official mascot for this August&rsquo;s championship at <a href="https://hayward.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hayward Field at the University of Oregon</a>.
Legend was first introduced at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22, and returns following a four-year hibernation in the lush forests of Oregon as the next generation of stars get set to shine in the Pacific Northwest for the World Athletics U20 Championships. <a href="https://youtu.be/HVDUkLZANN4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch here</a> to see Legend emerge from hibernation in time for the Championships.
The iconic mascot will once again embody Oregon&rsquo;s unique natural beauty, love for sport, and culture. Legend is larger-than-life, bold, playful, and energized by the world&rsquo;s best track and field fans.
Throughout the Championships, fans and participants can connect with Legend on and off the track. In the weeks prior, those who keep an eye out just might spot Legend at community events.
Fans can follow Legend the Bigfoot on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/legendthebigfoot/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> and enjoy a unique perspective on the World Athletics U20 Championships.
The World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 are set to welcome more than 1,700 athletes from 135+ countries 5-9 August, 2026. Tickets are selling fast. Don&rsquo;t miss your chance to see some of the world&rsquo;s top U20 stars as they make their mark on the world stage in Oregon.
Tickets, VIP Experience Packages, and Accommodations packages are now on sale <a href="https://am.ticketmaster.com/haywardtrackandfield/buy?id=NDk5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Those interested in volunteering at the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 can learn more <a href="https://www.gotracktownusa.com/volunteer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HVDUkLZANN4" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

World Athletics U20 Championships

The local organizing committee for the World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26 (WU20 Oregon 26) is pleased to announce the return of Legend the Bigfoot as the official mascot for this August’s championship at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. 

Legend the Bigfoot returns as the Official Mascot of World Athletics U20 Championships Oregon 26

Noah Lyles took a quarter of a second off the world 150m best at the Golden Spike in Ostrava on Tuesday (16), clocking 14.67 at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting.
The Olympic 100m champion and four-time world 200m champion was contesting the distance for the first time, but the rarely run event looked tailor-made for him. Strong enough over 100m and dominant over 200m, Lyles used both parts of his sprinting range to full effect in the Czech city.
Coming off the bend, he was level with South Africa&rsquo;s Sinesipho Dambile, but Lyles then edged in front and pulled clear to win in 14.67, improving the world best of 14.92 set earlier this year by Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson.
Dambile held on to take second in 14.78, also inside the previous world best, while rising Australian talent Gout Gout finished strongly to take third in 14.96.
The victory continued Lyles&rsquo; unbeaten outdoor start to 2026. He had already won at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Tokyo and the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Rome, and in Ostrava he added another landmark performance to that sequence.
"It was about time," said Lyles. "This feeling (to become the fastest in the world) - it's nothing new. It's very hard to get used to running from a staggered 150 start. We do it in practice, but that's without blocks. But all in all, I think that it was really good."
Nine days after her remarkable world-leading victory in Stockholm, Audrey Werro produced another outstanding performance in the women&rsquo;s 800m. The Swiss athlete won by almost three seconds in 1:54.45, the eighth-fastest performance in history and just 0.48 shy of the national record she set earlier this month.
Two-time world 400m hurdles champion Femke Broeders-Bol, making her outdoor 800m debut, tracked Werro on the first lap but was unable to stay with her over the final 200 metres. Nevertheless, she clocked 1:57.13 to finish second, putting her third on the Dutch all-time list, behind Ellen van Langen and Sifan Hassan.
"Today I felt really, really good," said Werro. "I was expecting a very fast time, but in the end it was a little bit too hard because I was alone in the final metres. To run this time, and the meeting record, it means a lot to me."
The third meeting record of the night came in the men&rsquo;s mile, where Nathan Green broke a mark that had stood since 2009. The US runner won in 3:49.44, overtaking compatriot Vincent Ciattei in the closing stages, with Ciattei finishing second in 3:49.51.
<h2>Lima, Manuel and Walaza among track winners</h2>
Brazil&rsquo;s Matheus Lima continued his fine form in the men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles, winning by half a second in 47.64. Spain&rsquo;s Jesus David Delgado finished second in a national record of 48.11.
World indoor champion Lurdes Gloria Manuel of Czechia delighted the home crowd in the women&rsquo;s 400m, winning in a PB of 49.74. Cuba&rsquo;s Roxana Gomez was second in 50.20.
Attila Molnar won the men&rsquo;s 400m in 44.56, with Belgium&rsquo;s Daniel Segers second in 44.81.
South Africa&rsquo;s Bayanda Walaza equalled his PB to win the men&rsquo;s 100m in 9.94, finishing ahead of Cameroon&rsquo;s Emmanuel Eseme, who clocked 9.99. World indoor champion Jordan Anthony was fifth in 10.20.
Cuba&rsquo;s Kendry Menendez won the men&rsquo;s 110m hurdles in 13.14. The women&rsquo;s 100m hurdles was much closer, with Nadine Visser winning in 12.65 from Pia Skrzyszowska, who ran 12.66, and Marione Fourie, who clocked 12.68.
<h2>Fabbri and Ayris take field event wins</h2>
Two-time world medallist Leonardo Fabbri notched up his 10th victory of the year in the men&rsquo;s shot put, retaining his Golden Spike title with 21.91m. Nigeria&rsquo;s Chukwu Enekwechi was second with 21.43m.
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage dominated the javelin with three throws beyond 85 metres &ndash; all of which would have been sufficient to win. His best was 86.57m, which came in the third round, and gave him victory over Anderson Peters (84.27m).
In the pole vault, intermittent rain made conditions challenging. Imogen Ayris won the women&rsquo;s event with 4.75m, while Emmanouil Karalis took the men&rsquo;s competition with 5.82m before going on to attempt 6.00m.
Elsewhere, Peter Bol timed his effort to perfection in the men&rsquo;s 1000m, striding down the home straight to overtake Samuel Chapple and Marino Bloudek. The Australian won in an Oceanian record of 2:15.13, with Chapple second in 2:15.20 and Bloudek third in 2:15.40.
Salah Eddine Ben Yazide led a Moroccan one-two in the men&rsquo;s 3000m steeplechase, winning in 8:09.88 from Mohamed Tindouft, who clocked 8:10.04.

Noah Lyles took a quarter of a second off the world 150m best at the Golden Spike in Ostrava with 14.67

Lyles smashes world 150m best in Ostrava

Full World Championship podiums in the men&rsquo;s javelin and men&rsquo;s triple jump will be reunited at the Doha Diamond League on Friday (19), as the Wanda Diamond League season continues with its seventh meeting of 2026.
Originally scheduled for early May, the Doha meeting was moved to June and will now bring together some of the strongest fields of the season so far, including several events featuring global champions.
The men&rsquo;s javelin once again looks set to be one of the highlights, with the 2025 World Championships podium all returning to action. World champion Keshorn Walcott, two-time world champion Anderson Peters and world bronze medallist Curtis Thompson will renew their rivalry in a field that also includes 2021 Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who makes his season debut, and Sri Lanka&rsquo;s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, one of the revelations of 2026.
Pathirage arrives in Doha as the world leader after his huge 92.62m victory in Rome earlier this month, which moved him to eighth on the world all-time list. He has won six of his seven competitions so far this year; his narrow loss to Peters in Rabat &ndash; his first ever Diamond League appearance &ndash; has been his only blemish on his 2026 scorecard.
Doha has long been renowned for big javelin marks, and several athletes in this field have produced their career bests there. Chopra joined the 90-metre club in the Qatari capital with his PB of 90.23m, as did Peters (93.07m) and Jakub Vadlejch (90.88m) in their memorable clash in 2022. With Pathirage already beyond 92 metres this season, the conditions and competition could again combine to produce something special.
There will be another World Championship podium reunion in the men&rsquo;s triple jump. Pedro Pichardo and Andrea Dallavalle both open their seasons against Lazaro Martinez, completing the podium from Tokyo last year.
They will be joined by world indoor silver medallist Jordan Scott, who has jumped 17.66m this season, and world indoor bronze medallist Yasser Triki, who has a season&rsquo;s best of 17.32m.
The women&rsquo;s triple jump also has a strong championship feel, led by world indoor and outdoor champion Leyanis Perez Hernandez and Olympic champion Thea Lafond. Saly Sarr, the world indoor bronze medallist, is also in the field, along with Davisleydi Velazco, who has won her past five competitions, including the Oslo Diamond League with 14.85m.
Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino will contest her first Diamond League race of 2026 in the women&rsquo;s 400m. She takes on Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Bukowiecka and Cuba&rsquo;s Roxana Gomez.
World champion Cordell Tinch lines up in the men&rsquo;s 110m hurdles against Jamal Britt, the newest member of the sub-13-second club after his 12.99 victory at the Los Angeles Grand Prix.
<h2>Zapletalova and Charamba look to extend winning streaks</h2>
Emma Zapletalova will aim to continue her unbeaten start to 2026 in the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles.
The world bronze medallist has already improved the world lead and Slovakian record to 52.58 this season, and she lines up in Doha against Jamaica&rsquo;s Rushell Clayton and Panama&rsquo;s Gianna Woodruff.
In the men&rsquo;s 200m, Makanakaishe Charamba will look to build on the momentum of his recent 19.88 PB at the Lone Star Grand Prix. The Zimbabwean, who is unbeaten over 200m so far this season, takes on South Africa&rsquo;s Sinesipho Dambile and Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic.
The women&rsquo;s 800m features Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma, fellow Ethiopian Nigist Getachew, 2025 world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso, Botswana&rsquo;s Oratile Nowe and Lone Star Grand Prix winner Shafiqua Maloney.
In the men&rsquo;s pole vault, Greece&rsquo;s world silver medallist Emmanouil Karalis &ndash; the second-highest vaulter in history &ndash; faces Norway&rsquo;s Sondre Guttormsen and USA&rsquo;s Chris Nilsen, while home favourite Mutaz Barshim will contest the men&rsquo;s high jump, looking to improve on his season&rsquo;s best of 2.23m.
<h2>Ethiopian depth in distance races</h2>
There will be a sizeable Ethiopian presence in both the women&rsquo;s 5000m and women&rsquo;s 1500m.
The 5000m is led by Likina Amebaw, who won the Rome Diamond League with a world-leading PB of 14:18.41. She is joined by 2025 Diamond League champion Fantaye Belayneh and Medina Eisa.
The women&rsquo;s 1500m is headed by Birke Haylom, winner of the Shanghai Diamond League. Fellow Ethiopians Worknesh Mesele, Haregeweyni Kalayu and Saron Berhe also line up.
In the men&rsquo;s 3000m steeplechase, two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali returns to action against Olympic bronze medallist Abraham Kibiwot and 2024 Diamond League champion Amos Serem.

Full World Championship podiums in the men’s javelin and men’s triple jump will be reunited at the Doha Diamond League on Friday

Javelin and triple jump stars set for Doha clashes

World Athletics has launched a new project exploring pregnancy, childbirth and the return to sport for elite female athletes.
The Childbirth And Return in Elite Sport (CARES) project combines scientific research and policy development grounded in the athletes&rsquo; perspective. Its overarching aim is to generate evidence that can inform future policies and support systems, to protect female athletes and reduce inequities within elite athletics.
As part of the project, World Athletics is calling for female athletes &ndash; both those who have experienced pregnancy and those who have not &ndash; to complete one of two surveys. The surveys are being conducted as a collaboration between the Health and Science and Competition departments of World Athletics with direct input from the World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission.
The <a href="https://eu.research.net/r/survey1CARES" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first survey</a> is intended for female athletes who experienced pregnancy on or after 1 January 2019 during their elite athletics career, regardless of whether the pregnancy resulted in childbirth. This survey collects information on pregnancy and, where applicable, childbirth and return to sport, including perceived barriers and facilitators, professional and organisational support, contractual and financial considerations, and possible ways to support world rankings during maternity leave. This part of the project is integrated by a retrospective analysis of the World Athletics database, including performance metrics, providing new data and novel scientific insights.
The <a href="https://eu.research.net/r/survey2CARES" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second survey</a> is intended for elite female athletes who have not experienced pregnancy. It focuses on perceptions of organisational support, maternity-related governance, and possible ranking-policy mechanisms.
&ldquo;We are continually looking for ways to make our sport even more equitable, and the CARES project is the next step in ensuring athletes who experience pregnancy are protected, receive support, and do not face barriers when it comes to being able to make a return to elite athletics,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
&ldquo;It is important that our athletes are the driving force behind this. The responses generated by these surveys and the associated analysis of performance metrics is vital to this project, to inform future action.&rdquo;
World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission Chair Valerie Adams said: &ldquo;I am really proud to see World Athletics taking a leading role in encouraging research and more open dialogue about what it means to be a mother and an athlete.
"When I started my career, you didn&rsquo;t want to tell your sponsors if you got pregnant because you might get dropped. By the time I retired &ndash; as a mother of two &ndash; we&rsquo;re seeing more female athletes coming back from having kids and performing at an elite level. I hope that the work being done in this space will further inspire female athletes to not only plan their sporting career, but also plan their life.&rdquo;
The surveys are open to all elite female athletes included in the World Athletics competition performance ranking. The deadline for submitting survey responses is 30 September.
World Athletics

World Athletics has launched a new project exploring pregnancy, childbirth and the return to sport for elite female athletes.

New World Athletics project to inform future policy on pregnancy and return to elite sport

Canada's Ethan Katzberg is very much the current benchmark in men's hammer throwing globally. He came of age at 21 by winning the World Championships gold in Budapest in 2023, a title he successfully defended in Tokyo last year with an Olympic gold sandwiched in between the two. This week, the 2.01m (6ft 7in) tall thrower is the athlete being asked What's your Ultimate?
Ultimate performance... World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025 in the men's hammer.
Ultimate event (bar your own)... Pole vault.
Ultimate career goal... Breaking the world record (currently at 86.74m).
Ultimate athlete... Usain Bolt.
Ultimate clash... Me against Bence Hal&aacute;sz at any event in Budapest.
Ultimate memory... Breaking both the 80m and 81m barrier in the World Athletics Championships qualifying round in 2023.
Ultimate venue... The stadium for the World Championships in Budapest [now the Zsivotzky Gyula National Athletics Centre].
Ultimate meal... Cheesecake.
Ultimate night out/night in... A night in just reading.
Ultimate hidden talent... Juggling a soccer ball.
Ultimate day off... A day at the lake.
Ultimate holiday destination... Japan.
Ultimate pre-competition song... The Days by Chrystal (the Notion remix)

This week it's the turn of world and Olympic hammer champion Ethan Katzberg to be put on the spot in the quickfire quiz What's your Ultimate?

What's your Ultimate? - Ethan Katzberg

When Habtom Samuel made a winning half-marathon debut in Houston in January, it offered an early glimpse of what would become a remarkable season.
The Eritrean, still in the middle of his collegiate career at the University of New Mexico, produced a course record of 59:01 &ndash; the fourth-fastest half marathon ever run on US soil at the time &ndash; to defeat a field packed with experienced road racers.
Five months later, that performance looks less like a surprise and more like the beginning of something bigger.
Two months after his run in Houston, he won the NCAA indoor 5000m title. More recently, he completed the 5000m-10,000m double at the outdoor NCAA Championships. He has also set Eritrean records at 3000m indoors (7:39.62), two miles (8:11.47) and 5000m outdoors (12:57.22) during a year in which he has won 11 of his 13 races.
For an athlete who arrived in the United States with world U20 medals already to his name, this has been the season in which his talent has translated into consistent success. The foundations for that breakthrough were already visible in Houston.
&ldquo;I really felt the plan coming together around the 10th mile,&rdquo; said Samuel.
&ldquo;When Patrick Kiprop moved to the front and made a strong surge, I didn't react immediately. I gave myself just enough time before committing to the chase.&rdquo;
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6a2ffaf31c10c60686494633.JPG" alt="Habtom Samuel wins the Houston Half Marathon" />
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Habtom Samuel wins the Houston Half Marathon (&copy; Houston Half Marathon <img style="width: 16px; vertical-align: middle; display: inline;" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" alt="photographer icon" /> Kevin Morris)
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That patience proved decisive. As the race entered its closing stages, Samuel gradually reeled in the leaders before taking control and driving away to victory.
&ldquo;When I realised the course record was within reach, I felt a mix of happiness, pride and disbelief,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This was my debut, and the record was already very fast. The athletes who held it before are incredible, so to be in that position meant a lot.&rdquo;
The performance also provided confirmation that he could compete beyond the collegiate circuit.
&ldquo;In that moment, I realised that I belong at this level.&rdquo;
Samuel's journey to that point began far from the major road races and stadiums where he now competes.
Growing up in Debresina, a village in Eritrea, running was initially part of daily life rather than organised sport. Long journeys to school helped build the endurance that would later serve him so well, while life in a large family instilled discipline and responsibility from an early age.
Those qualities helped him emerge as one of Eritrea's brightest young talents. He won bronze medals at the World U20 Championships over 3000m in Nairobi in 2021 and 5000m in Cali in 2022 before making the move to the United States and joining the University of New Mexico programme.
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62ec45002858328447d96397.jpg" alt="Habtom Samuel in action at the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22" />
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Habtom Samuel in action at the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 (&copy; Marta Gorczynska)
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The transition brought new challenges, but it also accelerated his development. Houston was intended as an opportunity to test himself in a different environment.
"Houston is widely regarded as one of the fastest half-marathon courses in the United States, and it fits perfectly into Habtom's competitive calendar," said his agent, Kimberly Holland.
"This was about testing himself on the roads and seeing how he stacked up against experienced professional athletes outside of track and cross country."
The answer arrived quickly.
"Running one of the fastest half marathons ever on US soil makes one thing clear," Holland said. "Habtom Samuel has a very bright future ahead of him after his collegiate eligibility."
Back in Albuquerque, however, Samuel's coaches were not entirely surprised.
"I was very happy &ndash; and impressed &ndash; with how patient he was early," said University of New Mexico head coach Darren Gauson. "He ran completely within himself for the first 10 miles. The plan was always to start progressing as the course turned back toward the city."
Gauson believes the result was the product of months of preparation.
"After cross country and the 5000m in Boston (Samuel ran 13:05.21 indoors in early December), we put together a really solid training block," he said.
"There was one workout that stood out &ndash; six miles hard, a three-minute recovery, then another three miles. After that, I knew he was ready to do something special."
The performances that followed during the indoor and outdoor seasons only strengthened that belief.
Samuel opened his year with national records over two miles and 3000m indoors before adding another over 5000m outdoors. Along the way came NCAA titles, conference crowns and a dominant distance double at the outdoor NCAA Championships, improving on the runner-up finishes he achieved at both distances last year.
For Gauson, the improvements have not been limited to fitness alone.
"He's incredibly aerobically gifted," he said. "But what's really improved is his decision-making. He knows when to make decisive moves that will stick and win races."
Despite his success on the roads, Samuel's immediate ambitions remain focused on the track.
"My main focus will always be my commitments to UNM and NCAA competition," he said earlier this year. "But road racing helps me learn more about my fitness and prepare for the future."
That future remains full of possibilities.
"We want to continue developing his aerobic base before shifting toward more speed-specific work," said Gauson.
"He has big goals &ndash; running well under 13 minutes and breaking the collegiate 10,000m record outdoors &ndash; and we feel we're right on track."
For Samuel, the achievements of 2026 represent another step forward in a career that has been steadily building since his days as a junior athlete in Eritrea.
Having already enjoyed success on the roads, cross country and the track this year, he will now look to carry that momentum into the next phase of his career.
Robert Kibet for World Athletics

When Habtom Samuel made a winning half-marathon debut in Houston in January, it offered an early glimpse of what would become a remarkable season

Samuel's breakout year gathers pace

USA&rsquo;s Tara Davis-Woodhall opened her 2026 long jump season with a statement performance at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, leaping a world-leading 7.20m and a wind-assisted 7.25m at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting on Saturday (14).
The world and Olympic champion achieved her winning mark in the opening round, adding two centimetres to the PB she set indoors in February 2024 and improving on her previous outdoor best of 7.16m from that same year. The jump moved her to equal 19th on the world all-time list.
Davis-Woodhall backed it up with wind-assisted efforts of 7.09m, 7.25m and 7.14m, passed the fifth round, then ended her series with 6.85m &mdash; a mark that still would have been enough to win. Monae&rsquo; Nichols finished second with a wind-assisted 6.81m.
It continued Davis-Woodhall&rsquo;s remarkable run of consistency in the event. Her last long jump defeat came at the 2023 World Championships, and she has now jumped beyond seven metres in 13 of her past 14 competitions.
Earlier in the day, Davis-Woodhall had smashed her lifetime best in the 100m hurdles, clocking 12.47. The only athlete to finish ahead of her was Olympic champion Masai Russell, who won in a meeting record of 12.26. World bronze medallist Grace Stark was third in 12.48.
<h2>Chaussinand breaks French record as Rogers&rsquo; streak ends</h2>
Yann Chaussinand produced the best throw of his life to win the men&rsquo;s hammer, setting a meeting record and world lead of 82.44m.
The Frenchman improved Ethan Katzberg&rsquo;s world lead by one centimetre and broke a national record that had stood for 26 years. Mykhaylo Kokhan took the early lead with 78.86m, while Chaussinand started his competition with two fouls before unleashing his record-breaking throw in the third round.
Kokhan also improved in that round, throwing 81.00m, before reaching 81.23m in round five and then a PB of 82.38m in the final round.
In the women&rsquo;s hammer, Camryn Rogers&rsquo; winning streak came to an end as the world and Olympic champion finished fourth in another high-quality contest.
Brooke Andersen, the 2022 world champion, won with a season&rsquo;s best and meeting record of 79.09m, while 2019 world champion DeAnna Price was second with a season&rsquo;s best of 77.71m. Rachel Richeson completed a US sweep of the top three with 76.65m, finishing just ahead of Rogers, who threw 76.50m.
It was the first women&rsquo;s hammer contest in history in which six women threw beyond 75 metres, while the best marks-for-place were set for fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.
Jamal Britt finally broke through the 13-second barrier in the men&rsquo;s 110m hurdles, winning in 12.99 (-0.1m/s).
Before this year, Britt had a PB of 13.07. He had equalled that mark four times this season, but in Los Angeles he improved by 0.08 and claimed victory over Trey Cunningham, who was second in 13.03, and world champion Cordell Tinch, who finished third in 13.15.
As it was the first time the discipline had been held at the meeting, Britt&rsquo;s performance also stood as a meeting record.
Kenny Bednarek produced a dominant run in the men&rsquo;s 100m, clocking a wind-assisted 9.72 (2.4m/s). With a slightly weaker wind, the world and Olympic 200m silver medallist would almost certainly have broken the meeting record (9.89), but he still took a convincing victory ahead of Christian Coleman, who ran 9.84, and Ghana&rsquo;s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who clocked 9.88.
<h2>Home stars break meeting records</h2>
Two-time world champion Chase Jackson broke the women&rsquo;s shot put meeting record in the first round, throwing 20.53m. Two-time world indoor champion Sarah Mitton produced her best mark in the final round, reaching 20.15m for second place.
Valarie Sion broke her own meeting record in the women&rsquo;s discus in the opening round with 68.46m, then extended her lead to 69.15m in round five. She won by more than four metres from US compatriot Erika Beistle, who threw 65.02m.
Anna Cockrell also improved her own meeting record, winning the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles in 53.43. The Olympic silver medallist held off a strong challenge from former world record-holder Dalilah Muhammad, who finished second in 53.65.
Gabrielle Jennings claimed a dominant win in the women&rsquo;s 3000m steeplechase, breaking the meeting record with 9:11.72. After the pacemaker dropped out, Jennings broke away from the pack and extended her lead with each lap, winning by more than 11 seconds from Lexy Halladay, who clocked 9:22.89.
Elsewhere on the track, Aaliyah Butler won the women&rsquo;s 400m in 49.90, finishing ahead of Nigeria&rsquo;s Ella Onojuvwevwo, who clocked 50.25. 2025 world indoor champon Chris Bailey took the men&rsquo;s event in 44.57, winning from Greece&rsquo;s George Franks, who ran 45.21.
Sha&rsquo;Carri Richardson won the women&rsquo;s 100m in 10.99 (-0.2m/s), finishing ahead of Kayla White, who clocked 11.08.
In the men&rsquo;s shot put, Jamaica&rsquo;s Olympic bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell threw 21.94m to beat Jordan Geist and Joe Kovacs, who both reached 21.76m.
Brandon Miller powered to victory in the men&rsquo;s 800m. After the pacemaker dropped out, 2023 world 1500m champion Josh Kerr took up the running, but he was caught with 100 metres to go as Miller moved into the lead and pulled clear to win in 1:43.94. Kerr faded to fourth, behind Handal Roban, who ran 1:45.32, and 2019 world champion Donavan Brazier, who clocked 1:45.41.
Emily Mackay won the women&rsquo;s 1500m in 3:59.27 from Katie Snowden, who ran 4:00.97. South Africa&rsquo;s Tshepo Tshite held off a fast-finishing Cole Hocker to win the men&rsquo;s 3000m, 7:37.57 to 7:37.77.

USA’s Tara Davis-Woodhall opened her 2026 long jump season with a statement performance at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix, leaping a world-leading 7.20m and a wind-assisted 7.25m

Davis-Woodhall leaps world-leading 7.20m in Los Angeles

Two days after taking down the collegiate 100m record in the heats, Adaejah Hodge added the 200m mark to her collection on the final day of the NCAA Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene on Friday (13).
Hodge won the 200m title in 21.68 (-0.4m/s), improving the collegiate record by 0.12 &ndash; the same margin by which she had broken the 100m record two days earlier. She won by almost half a second from Shawnti Jackson, and her time moves her to equal eighth on the world all-time list, level with Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and one place ahead of Allyson Felix.
Just 45 minutes earlier, though, Hodge was surprisingly beaten in the 100m. Shenese Walker won that race in 10.88 (0.0m/s), with Hodge taking second in 10.93, two days after her record-breaking 10.63 in the semifinals.
Hodge, Walker and Jackson had all taken part in the 4x100m earlier in the programme, but it was USC that came out on top in a world-leading 41.58. LSU, with Jackson on anchor, finished second in 41.74, while Georgia, with Hodge on the second leg, placed third in 41.89.
Dejanea Oakley produced another collegiate record in the women&rsquo;s 400m, winning in 48.79 to take 0.10 off the mark set by Jamaican compatriot Nickisha Pryce in 2024.
Oakley&rsquo;s performance moves her to 13th on the world all-time list. Madison Whyte, part of USC&rsquo;s victorious 4x100m quartet earlier in the day, was second in 48.97, moving to fourth on the US all-time list behind three Olympic gold medallists: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sanya Richards-Ross and Valerie Brisco-Hooks.
Hodge&rsquo;s and Oakley&rsquo;s sprint heroics proved pivotal in Georgia&rsquo;s overall victory in the team standings as they tallied 50 points to finish ahead of Florida (43) and Arkansas (38).
<h2>Jallow takes down Mu&rsquo;s 800m record</h2>
Sanu Jallow smashed Athing Mu-Nikolayev&rsquo;s collegiate 800m record by almost a second. The Gambian, representing Arkansas, won in a dominant 1:56.85, improving her own national record in a high-quality race. Hayley Kitching finished second in 1:57.65, with the top six all dipping under 1:59.
Jallow later anchored Arkansas to victory in the 4x400m in a world-leading 3:18.88. Jallow split 49.02 on the final leg, while individual 400m winner Oakley produced a 48.79 split for Georgia, helping them to second place in 3:20.96.
Akala Garrett, the 2022 world U20 champion, won the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles in a PB of 53.32, improving on her runner-up finish from last year.
In the field events, Alida van Daalen broke the meeting record in the women&rsquo;s discus with 65.98m, while Temitope Adeshina won the women&rsquo;s high jump on countback from Rose Yeboah, both athletes clearing 1.96m.

Two days after taking down the collegiate 100m record in the heats, Adaejah Hodge added the 200m mark to her collection on the final day of the NCAA Championships

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