Diaz Fortun added 10cm to his world triple jump lead, leaping 17.87m

Diaz, Mitton and Richards impress on busy national championships weekend

The history of Irish athletics is a complex one, certainly as far as its governing institutions have been concerned, but it&rsquo;s also a colourful and uplifting one and comes into full focus this weekend.
The 150th Irish Championships are being held in Dublin&rsquo;s Morton Stadium on Saturday and Sunday and will be a celebration of the country&rsquo;s rich and long contribution to the sport.
Although the current generation of Irish athletes will have the main aim of qualifying for the World Athletics Championships next month, and the European Championships in August, memories will stretch back to the 19th century and how athletics gained a footing in the Emerald Isle.
In James Kelly&rsquo;s excellent book Pound for pound, a winner: Sport in Ireland, 1600-1840, the author devotes a modicum of space to athletics and elaborates on the fact that although ad hoc races took place in villages and at county fairs during the two-and-half centuries in question, the pastime was far less popular than other pursuits of this era such as pugilism, cock fighting horse racing and blood sports. However, the Irish Famine from 1845 to 1852 effectively put an end to all forms of social activities and, as society restructured after this defining moment in Irish history, athletics started to become more popular.
<h2>Irish Famine changes society</h2>
Ireland&rsquo;s first recorded athletics meeting that resembles those of the current day was held at Trinity College, Dublin in 1857. The Irish Champion Athletic Club was then founded in 1872 by local engineer and keen sportsman Henry Dunlop after the Trinity College Provost banned any further athletics meetings on its grounds.
Dunlop also leased what was to become the famed Lansdowne Road and laid down what he later described as &ldquo;a cinder running path of a quarter-mile,&rdquo; before organising Ireland&rsquo;s first national athletics championships in 1873.
The first nine editions of the championships were held under the aegis of the Irish Champion Athletic Club before then being organised by the short-lived Amateur Athletic Association of Ireland. In 1881, the first Irish Cross County Championships were also held in Dunboyne.
However, political differences came to the fore in 1884 with the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) which was focussed on repelling the British influence on the local sporting scene.
<h2>Two national championships</h2>
The GAA started to host its own athletics championships in 1885 to rival that organised by the re-branded Irish Amateur Athletic Association (IAAA) which had been set up in Dublin in February 1885.
From 1885 to 1922, parallel championships were held by the GAA and IAAA with athletes often winning titles at both in the same year. Notably, while the IAAA stopped staging its championship between 1915 and 1918 because of World War I, the GAA continued to stage an event giving rise to the justifiable boast that the Irish national championships, in its various forms, are the longest continually held national athletics championships in the world.
During this period, Irish athletes also competed at the Olympics as part of Great Britain teams as the country was still under British rule winning four gold medals, notably Tim Ahearne&rsquo;s 1908 triple jump win of 14.915m which remained an Olympic record until 1924.
Following Irish independence in 1922, a new body called the National Athletic and Cycling Association (NACA) &ndash; formed after a merger of the IAAA, Cross Country Association of Ireland and the Athletics Council of the GAA &ndash; took over the administration of athletics in Ireland. For a while, all seemed calm &ndash; to the wider world as least &ndash; as Ireland joined the International Amateur Athletic Federation, the forerunner of World Athletics, in 1924 and sent a team of 10 athletes to the Paris 1924 Olympic Games.
<h2>O&rsquo;Callaghan makes history</h2>
History was made in 1928 when hammer thrower Pat O&rsquo;Callaghan won gold at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympic Games, the first Olympic medal of any description in any sport for an independent Ireland. In 1931, Tim Smyth became the first Irish winner of the International Cross Country Championships, which were held that year at the Baldoyle Racecourse near Dublin.
A year later, Robert Tisdall won the 400m hurdles at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games before O&rsquo;Callaghan &ndash; a candidate for the honour of being Ireland&rsquo;s greatest ever athlete &ndash; retained his hammer title on the same day.
However, political issues were again to intervene and NACA was suspended from the IAAF in 1935 over its insistence that it also had governance over athletics in Northern Ireland.
Consequently, Ireland did not send a team to the 1936 Olympic Games and, although Tisdall had by then retired, O&rsquo;Callaghan would likely have been a medal contender once again.
A new body, the Irish Amateur Athletic Union (IAAU), was set up in 1937 and admitted to the IAAF as the Irish representative but its creation again led to two national championships being staged from 1937 through to 1966, a more-widely recognised one organised by the IAAU and its successors and another by NACA, the situation complicated further by the latter&rsquo;s affiliation to the Irish Olympic Council.
In 1967 after discussions between various parties over the previous two years, both groups finally agreed to dissolve themselves and form a new association, the Bord Luthchleas na hEireann (BLE) and unity prevailed once more. A few die-hards in NACA, however, continued to keep alive an organisation by that name until 2000 when the BLE and NACA joined forces to form the Athletics Association of Ireland, which is now known by its shortened name of Athletics Ireland.
Against a backdrop of all these political shenanigans, which stretch back more than a century, Irish athletes have continued to periodically shine on the global stage.
<h2>Delany&rsquo;s memorable win in Melbourne</h2>
Following the successes in Los Angeles, it was to be 28 years before an athlete in the familiar green vest got a medal and once again it was a gold thanks to Ronnie Delany&rsquo;s iconic 1500m win in an epic race at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/6218e110244342148eac9924.jpg" alt="John Landy (156) takes the 1500m bronze behind Ron Delany of Ireland at the 1956 Olympics" />
John Landy (156) takes the 1500m bronze behind Ron Delany of Ireland at the 1956 Olympics (&copy; Getty Images)
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 Delany&rsquo;s triumph remains the last time the Irish national anthem has sounded out in an Olympic athletics arena, but John Treacy &ndash; the 1978 and 1979 world cross-country champion &ndash; and Sonia O&rsquo;Sullivan went close when they took silver medals in the 1984 marathon and 2000 5000m.
Eamonn Coghlan was a frustrated fourth in the 1976 Olympic Games 1500m and then the 5000m four years later in Moscow but got compensation when he was victorious in the longer event at the inaugural World Athletics Championships in 1983, memorably going through the gears over the final 150 metres to leave all his rivals training in his wake.
O&rsquo;Sullivan then followed in Coghlan&rsquo;s footsteps by taking the 1995 world 5000m title in Gothenburg, and in the 21st century Irish race walkers have had not inconsiderable success with Olive Loughnane and Robert Heffernan winning world titles in 2009 and 2013. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/2c54e2cc-918a-461a-9bfb-de88419a66aa.png" alt="Sonia O'Sullivan in action at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships" />
Sonia O'Sullivan in action at the 2002 IAAF World Cross Country Championships (&copy; Getty Images)
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 Irish runners also prospered at the early World Indoor Championships with Marcus O&rsquo;Sullivan being particularly adapt, winning 1500m titles in 1987, 1989 and 1993 and Frank O&rsquo;Mara taking back-to-back 3000m gold medals in 1987 and 1989.
<h2>O&rsquo;Sullivan&rsquo;s myriad medals</h2>
Sonia O&rsquo;Sullivan took a 3000m silver medal in 1997 before Derval O&rsquo;Rourke took a surprise but fully deserved 60m hurdles victory in 2006.
Inevitably, for a country with as rich an athletics history as Ireland, it is impossible to do justice to everyone who deserves to be acknowledged but it would be badly remiss not to mention Catherina McKiernan who took four successive silver medals at the World Cross Country Championships between 1992-95 as well as the winning the inaugural European cross-country title in 1994.
O&rsquo;Sullivan followed this by showing off her talent on all surfaces with a double triumph in both the long and short races at the 1998 World Cross Country Championships, in the latter case the first year it was contested in this competition.
Athletics Ireland as a federation is also noting its centenary in 2022, tracing the origins of its modern-day organisation back to the founding of NACA on 19 July 2022, and this will be celebrated formally in November at the federation&rsquo;s annual gala awards event.
Phil Minshull for World Athletics Heritage

Looking back on the past 150 years of athletics in Ireland

Irish Championships extend their unbroken streak to 150 years

Sydney McLaughlin does not race often, but she produces memorable performances whenever she does step on the track. Running a sizzling world record of 51.41* in the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles on a hot afternoon at the US Championships on Saturday (25), McLaughlin has now set world records in three of her past four 400m hurdles finals.
Clearing the hurdles effortlessly and with no one pressing her, McLaughlin broke her own record of 51.46 from the Tokyo Olympics, where she captured the gold medal. McLaughlin set her first world record of 51.90 on this same track, Hayward Field in Eugene, during last year&rsquo;s US Olympic Trials and will return here next month for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.
&ldquo;I knew it was going to be fast,&rdquo; McLaughlin said. &ldquo;I looked at the time and I was really happy with it &ndash; being able to slowly progress towards lower and lower times &ndash; and I think there&rsquo;s still things I could work on. I think there&rsquo;s a little bit more in the tank there, so hopefully when it&rsquo;s time we can just empty it completely.&rdquo;
Before the three rounds of the US Championships, McLaughlin had run only twice this season: one 100m hurdles race and one 400m hurdles race, in which she clocked a world-leading 51.61 with one of the hurdles placed in the wrong position. She then withdrew from the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in New York two weeks ago to focus on the National Championships.
McLaughlin had a lead of about six metres entering the home straight and that margin had grown significantly by the time she reached the finish. NCAA champion Britton Wilson ran a PB of 53.08 for second and Shamier Little, the 2015 world silver medallist who missed the US Olympic team last year by one spot, was third with a season&rsquo;s best of 53.92.
McLaughlin was the world silver medallist in 2019 behind former world record-holder Dalilah Muhammad, who has a wildcard entry to the World Championships as defending champion and did not compete at the US Championships.
They will likely face off next month, where McLaughlin said, &ldquo;we want to put on a show for the world.&rdquo;
<h2>Norman rewrites Hayward Field record</h2>
Michael Norman posted a world-leading time of 43.56 to win the men&rsquo;s 400m, besting his own 43.60 from the Prefontaine Classic in May on the same track. He now owns the three fastest times at Hayward Field, having also run 43.61 in 2018.
Champion Allison nearly lived up to his name, finishing second with a PB of 43.70 while challenging Norman, who had to dig deep to pull away on the final stretch. Randolph Ross was third in 44.17. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b7a92f362878d774b5717c.jpg" alt="Michael Norman in the 400m at the US Championships" />
Michael Norman in the 400m at the US Championships (&copy; Getty Images)
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 Norman has run only six races this season. &ldquo;I think I&rsquo;m in a pretty good place,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I know I&rsquo;m in really good shape. I&rsquo;m excited to go back and dissect the race and figure out what areas I need to fine tune. I know it was nowhere near a perfect race.&rdquo;
Norman will be seeking his first individual medal at a World Championships or Olympic Games, having finished fifth in Tokyo and failing to reach the final in Doha in 2019. &ldquo;It does give me a little bit more comfort knowing that I&rsquo;ve gone through the process and know what the experience is like,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I just want a different outcome.&rdquo;
<h2>Diggs digs deep</h2>
Talitha Diggs, daughter of four-time Olympian Joetta Clark and niece of world and Olympic 800m finalist Hazel Clark, won the 400m in 50.22 to make her first national team. Olympic 4x400m gold medallists Kendall Ellis and Lynna Irby were second (50.35) and third (50.67) respectively.
&ldquo;To see my mom and my aunt win so many of these titles, for me to get my own is a blessing,&rdquo; said Diggs, who is the only US woman to break 50 seconds this season with a 49.99 for fourth on the world list.
Allyson Felix put herself in the frame for relay consideration for what would be her 10th World Championships team by placing sixth in 51.24.
This is the farewell season for the 36-year-old, who made her first appearance at a senior US Championships 21 years ago.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy I have no more open 400s ever in life,&rdquo; Felix said with a laugh. &ldquo;I wanted to come here, put myself in a position to be considered for one of the relays, so I can&rsquo;t be upset. I&rsquo;m grateful for all of the memories and happy I did it one more time.&rdquo;
Felix is the most decorated US track and field athlete and has 13 World Championships gold medals, three silvers and two bronzes.
<h2>Harrison holds off Johnson</h2>
The 100m hurdles had the closest finish of the day, with Keni Harrison out-leaning Alaysha Johnson at the tape. Harrison, the world record-holder and Olympic silver medallist, clocked a season&rsquo;s best of 12.34 to Johnson&rsquo;s PB of 12.35. Alia Armstrong was third at 12.47.
Nia Ali, the world champion who is coming back from maternity leave, ran 12.49 in the semis and then withdrew because she has a wildcard entry for the World Championships. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b7a9d6320762a7da9f0dc7.jpg" alt="Kendra Harrison in the 100m hurdles at the US Championships" />
Kendra Harrison in the 100m hurdles at the US Championships (&copy; Getty Images)
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 In the upset of the day, Maggie Malone, the US record-holder and world leader in the women&rsquo;s javelin, was eliminated after three straight fouls. The Olympic finalist put her hands to her head in distress after her third toss was wide right.
Kara Winger won the event with a season&rsquo;s best of 64.26m for her ninth national title going back to 2008.
Two-time Olympic finalist Keturah Orji leaped 14.79m to win her sixth US crown in the women&rsquo;s triple jump, putting her second on the world list this season. The only better marks in US history are Orji&rsquo;s US record of 14.92m from 2021 and Tori Franklin&rsquo;s 14.84m from 2018.
Franklin was second with a season&rsquo;s best of 14.59m and NCAA champion Jasmine Moore was third with 14.15m.
World and Olympic finalist Hillary Bor pulled away to win his third US steeplechase title while US record-holder Evan Jager proved that he is back after a hard four years full of injuries.
Bor&rsquo;s winning time was 8:15.76, followed by Jager at 8:17.29 and Benard Keter at 8:19.16.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad he made the team,&rdquo; Bor said of Jager. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy for him now, more than me.&rdquo;
Jager, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist, was one of the top steeplechasers in the world between 2012 and 2018.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a real hard long journey to build back my body and my confidence,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I definitely haven&rsquo;t felt like myself this last season steepling. I&rsquo;m really proud of myself being able to get back here and making the team.&rdquo;
Daniel Haugh became the sixth US man to throw beyond 80 metres in the hammer, winning the title with 80.18m and beating continental record-holder Rudy Winkler in the process.
Cooper Teare, who is known more as a 5000m runner, won a strategic men&rsquo;s 1500m in 3:45.86 while Sinclaire Johnson won the women&rsquo;s 1500m in 4:03.29.
Karen Rosen for World Athletics
*Subject to the usual ratification procedure

Takes 0.05 off the record she set when winning Olympic gold

McLaughlin breaks world 400m hurdles record with 51.41 at US Championships

There were upsets, surprises and excitement at the Kenyan Championships on Friday and Saturday (24-25) as Athletics Kenya selected its teams for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 and the Commonwealth Games.
The men&rsquo;s 800m, one of the most anticipated &ndash; and competitive &ndash; events of the championships, was won by Wycliffe Kinyamal in 1:43.55. World indoor silver medallist Noah Kibet led for most of the way but was overtaken in the last 150 metres. Kinyamal and world U20 champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi came from behind to secure the first two positions, Wanyonyi finishing second in 1:44.01 as Kibet faded to eighth place.
Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Korir didn&rsquo;t compete in the two-lap event but has earned selection for the 400m and 800m for the World Championships.
Mary Moraa emerged as one of the star performers of the championships. The Olympic semifinalist smashed her PB when winning the 800m on the first day of action, clocking 1:57.45 to finish comfortably ahead of Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon (1:58.18). Newly crowned African champion Jarinter Mawia was third in 2:00.36.
The next day, Moraa returned to her original event, the 400m, and scorched to a national record of 50.84.
World leader Nicholas Kimeli took the men&rsquo;s 5000m title in 13:28.76. Jacob Krop, who finished second to Kimeli in Rome earlier this month when the duo ran 12:46.33 and 12:46.79, finished second here too in 13:29.20. Cornelius Kemboi was third in 13:29.90.
Two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri stepped up to the 10,000m and won in 31:49.55 ahead of Sheila Chepkirui (31:50.13) and world silver medallist Margaret Chelimo (31:50.22). Irene Cheptai was fourth in 31:52.03.
Having missed out on a top-two automatic qualifying spot in the 10,000m, Chelimo tried her luck in the 5000m on Saturday. She led for almost the first 2000m before Eva Cherono moved into the lead and pushed the pace. Sarah Jepleting then emerged over the final two laps and kicked away to win in 15:05.24.
Beatrice Chebet came through for second (15:07.74) as Chelimo finished third again. Chelimo, however, was eventually named for both the 5000m and 10,000m on Kenya&rsquo;s World Championships team.
Conseslus Kipruto&rsquo;s third-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase was a reassuring step on his road to defending his world title in Oregon. Amos Serem won the race in 8:17.03 from Abraham Kibiwot (8:17.79) and Kipruto (8:18.21).
The two big names in the women&rsquo;s 3000m steeplechase &ndash; world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech and 2015 world champion Hyvin Kiyeng &ndash; were non-starters at the championships. Jackline Chepkoech, a relative newcomer to the steeplechase, got the better of Celliphine Chespol to win by more than 10 seconds in 9:21.84. Purity Kirui was third in at 9:36.29.
Winnie Chebet benefited from the absence of Kipyegon in the 1500m as she won in 4:11.20. Edinah Jebitok, who had done most of the front running, finished second in 4:11.87.
After a relatively chilly and cloudy morning, the weather turned warm and sunny just before the men&rsquo;s 10,000m on Saturday afternoon
As the race progressed, a leading pack of Edward Zakayo, Kibiwott Kandie, Waithaka Mburu, Daniel Ebenyo, Daniel Mateiko and Rhonex Kipruto would eventually remain with a bout 1000 metres to go. Despite appearing to lose ground on the leaders with about 500 metres to go, Kandie produced his trademark devastating kick on the last lap to win the title in 27:33.57. Waithaka took second (27:34.01) while Mateiko finished third (27:34.62). Kandie doesn&rsquo;t have the World Championships qualifying standard in this event, but he will instead represent Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Abel Kipsang edged Timothy Cheruiyot in the men&rsquo;s 1500m as four runners battled it out in one of the closest contests of the championships. Kipsang won in 3:34.55 just 0.04 ahead of Cheruiyot. Kumari Taki and Raynold Cheruiyot followed in 3:34.73 and 3:34.77 respectively.
In the men&rsquo;s 100m, the final event of the championships, Ferdinand Omanyala won comfortably in 10.03 ahead of Samuel Imeta (10.25).
Justin Lagat for World Athleics

Kinyamal clocks 1:43.55, Moraa breaks Kenyan 400m record

Kinyamal, Moraa and Kimeli among the winners at Kenyan Championships

Fred Kerley blazed to a world-leading 9.76 in the 100m semifinals of the US Championships on Friday (24), posting the fastest ever time by a US sprinter on home soil.
Kerley, who moved into a tie for sixth on the all-time world list, then clocked an impressive 9.77 about 90 minutes later to win the final at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. He&rsquo;ll hold the stadium record as the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 comes to the United States for the first time next month.
Kerley, the Olympic silver medallist, qualified for his third outdoor World Championships, but at a different distance than he did in 2017 and 2019. Kerley earned bronze in the 400m at the 2019 World Championships in Doha along with a gold in the 4x400m.
Marvin Bracy-Williams, who pulled up with a cramp in the semifinals of the US Olympic Trials last year, qualified for his first world team by equalling his personal best of 9.85 for second place.
Olympian Trayvon Bromell was third in the final with a time of 9.88 after posting a season&rsquo;s best of 9.81 in the semifinals. All seven starters in the final broke 10 seconds.
Kerley, who opened the meeting a night earlier with a PB of 9.83 in the first round, did not have a great start. He and had to catch Bromell midway through the race, then showed his power in the last 40 meters for the victory.
&ldquo;I continue to do what I got to do,&rdquo; Kerley said.
Melissa Jefferson rebounded from a disappointing eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships to win the women&rsquo;s 100m in a wind-assisted 10.69 (2.9m/s). Aleia Hobbs was second in 10.72 followed by Twanisha Terry in 10.74. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b6df39f212ca9a3252107a.jpg" alt="Melissa Jefferson (right) wins the 100m at the US Championships" />
Melissa Jefferson (right) wins the 100m at the US Championships (&copy; Getty Images)
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 All three made their first senior World Championships team. With Tamari Davis finishing fourth in 10.78, the race was the first in which four women broke 10.80. It was also the first in which six women bettered 10.90.
&ldquo;Two weeks ago I knew the biggest thing I had to work on was just staying relaxed and focusing on my lane and focusing on my race and trusting what I&rsquo;d been doing,&rdquo; Jefferson said. &ldquo;Today I just came out here and had a clear mind and just ran.&rdquo;
In the semis, Hobbs held off Jefferson, 10.81 to 10.82, with both posting PBs.
One off the biggest shockers of the meeting occurred on the first day as Sha&rsquo;Carri Richardson did not advance to the semifinal. The flamboyant sprinter placed fifth in her heat with a time of 11.31, just 11 days after running 10.85 at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in New York.
Teahna Daniels, the only US finalist at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2019 World Championships, missed the final by one-thousandth of a second as Brittany Brown had a PB of 10.955 to Daniels&rsquo; 10.956.
<h2>Crouser powers to victory, Morris soars to success</h2>
Olympic champion Ryan Crouser, who has achieved every major honour save a world title, won his fifth national title with a world-leading heave of 23.12m in the men&rsquo;s shot put. On his third attempt, Crouser surpassed world champion and long-time rival Joe Kovacs, who had opened with an almighty 22.87m &ndash; the second-best mark of his career &ndash; and repeated that mark in the second round.
Once in the lead, Crouser maintained an incredibly high level of performance, throwing 23.01m, 23.11m and 22.98m with his remaining attempts. It&rsquo;s the first time the 23-metre barrier has been broken more than once in a series.
Josh Awotunde was third with 21.51m.
Crouser said he felt &ldquo;strong and powerful,&rdquo; but lacked his usual finesse.
&ldquo;It took me a couple off rounds to catch up to (Joe),&rdquo; Crouser said, &ldquo;but that pressure helped me to pop off a few big throws.&rdquo; 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b6e078da5363ad638291db.jpg" alt="Ryan Crouser, winner of the shot put at the US Championships" />
Ryan Crouser, winner of the shot put at the US Championships (&copy; Getty Images)
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 Two-time world indoor champion Sandi Morris won the women&rsquo;s pole vault by clearing a world-leading height of 4.82m. Alina McDonald was second with a vault of 4.65m, a height she shared with Olympic champion Katie Nageotte.
Olympic champion Valarie Allman characteristically started strong with a big first throw in the discus of 65.61m. She surpassed that on her third throw with a 66.92m, which held up for her fourth national crown. Laulauga Tausaga-Collins was second (64.49m) followed by Rachel Dincoff (62.14m).
<h2>Anderson earns first US title</h2>
On Thursday (23), the first day of competition, Olympic finalist Brooke Andersen won the women&rsquo;s hammer with a toss of 77.96m, followed by Janee Kassanavoid (76.04m) and Annette Echikunwoke with a throw of 73.76m.
&ldquo;I would have not liked to not foul my first one and have that added stress,&rdquo; Andersen said, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;ve thrown enough times and believed in myself enough times to get the job done.&rdquo;
World champion DeAnna Price fourth with a season&rsquo;s best of 73.07m as she returns to form after an injury.
Quanesha Burks won the women&rsquo;s long jump with a wind-aided leap of 7.06m, followed by Jasmine Moore (6.80m) and Tiffany Flynn (6.69m). Olympic finalist Tara Davis fouled three times and did not advance to the final.
Burks said she knew she could excel in her event once she stepped up her mental game to match her physical ability.
&ldquo;With Brittney Reese paving the way for us young jumpers &mdash; ooh, I&rsquo;m so happy she&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; Burks said with a laugh in reference to the retired Olympic and world champion, &ldquo;and with her being a great mentor and guiding us, I knew I could do it.&rdquo;
Olympian Vashti Cunningham, who has not lost to a competitor from the US since August 2017, won her fourth straight US outdoor title with a height of 1.93m. Rachel Glenn jumped 1.90m for second and Rachel McCoy was third, also at 1.90m.
Rayvon Grey won the men&rsquo;s long jump with a PB of 8.19m on his third attempt. Steffin McCarter moved into second place on his fifth attempt with a leap of 8.15m to edge Jeremiah Davis. Olympian JuVaughn Harrison, who was attempting to make the US team in the long jump and high jump, equalled his season best with 7.86m, but placed 11th.
<h2>Felix still in the running</h2>
Twenty-one years after Allyson Felix made her debut at the US Championships on this same track, she advanced to the final in the women&rsquo;s 400m. This all but assures Felix of making the US team in the relay pool. However, the Olympic bronze medallist will be seeking another individual race at the World Championships in her farewell season.
Felix was last in her semi as she rounded the turn onto the straightaway, but fought hard to finish fourth and qualified on time with a 51.32.
Talitha Diggs, the 19-year-old daughter of four-time Olympian Joetta Clark, was the top qualifier in the 400m with a time of 50.88.
Olympian Michael Norman smoothly made his way around the final turn to lead all qualifiers into the men&rsquo;s 400m final with a time of 44.28, followed by Randolph Ross. Diamond League champion Michael Cherry has a bye and is not competing.
Also in the rounds, Olympic champion and world record holder Sydney McLaughlin coasted to a 52.90 in the semis of the women&rsquo;s 400m hurdles for the second-fastest semifinal run in history. Dalilah Muhammad, the reigning world champion, has a bye and is not competing.
Olympic silver medallist Rai Benjamin posted the top time in the first round of the men&rsquo;s 400m hurdles by running 48.41.
Athing Mu looked relaxed as she cruised to a time of 1:57.55 in the semis of the women&rsquo;s 800m while collegiate runner Brandon Miller had the top time in the men&rsquo;s 800m semi of 1:46.20, followed by Olympians Bryce Hoppel and Clayton Murphy. World champion Donavan Brazier, who ran a season&rsquo;s best of 1:46.49 to lead all qualifiers in the first round, did not contest the semi since he has a wildcard entry to the World Championships.
In the first round of the 100m hurdles, Alaysha Johnson clocked 12.41 and world record-holder Keni Harrison posted a time of 12.47.
Karen Rosen for World Athletics

Olympic silver medallist clocks 9.77 in the final and 9.76 in semis

Kerley cruises to speedy 100m triumph at US Championships

Eight reigning Olympic champions have so far been announced for the Athletissima meeting in Lausanne, with just over two months to go until the Wanda Diamond League meeting returns on 26 August.
The men&rsquo;s high jump will bring together multiple champions - joint Olympic gold medallists Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi going up against world indoor champion Woo Sanghyeok and Swiss record-holder Loic Gasch.
Bahamian 400m stars Shaunae Miller-Uibo and&nbsp;Steven Gardiner, who both claimed 400m titles in Tokyo, will also compete, racing the women's 400m and men's 200m respectively.&nbsp;
In the 200m, Gardiner will face USA's world champion Noah Lyles and Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek. It was in Lausanne in 2019 that Lyles achieved his PB of 19.50, a time that places him fifth on the world all-time list.
The throwing disciplines also promise exhilarating performances thanks to the presence of Olympic champions Ryan Crouser in the shot put and Neeraj Chopra in the javelin.&nbsp;
Olympic champion and world record-holder Mondo Duplantis will lead a high-flying line-up in the men's pole vault, which will take place the day before the main meeting, on 25 August, in the idyllic setting of Ouchy, on the shores of Lake Geneva.&nbsp;
Athletissima has already announced Femke Bol in the 400m hurdles, Lamecha Girma in the 3000m steeplechase and Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo in the triple jump. Other Swiss stars in action include Mujinga Kambundji and Ajla Del Ponte, who will run the 100m as well as the women's 4x100m relay.
Earlier today (24) it was announced that <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/plaque/news/athletissima-lausannes-heritage-plaque" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Athletissima has been awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque</a> to mark the Swiss meeting&rsquo;s 45-year history.
Organisers for World Athletics

Eight reigning Olympic champions have been announced for the Athletissima meeting

Barshim, Tamberi, Chopra and Miller-Uibo among champions set for Lausanne

World Athletics has received 12 nominations for the six available seats on the&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/structure/commissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/about-iaaf/structure/commissions">World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission</a>.
All athletes accredited for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 will have the right to vote in the elections, which will take place during the championships between 15-20 July in official team venues.
To be eligible for nomination, athletes must have participated in at least one of the past two editions of the World Athletics Championships, or in the most recent Olympic Games, or be a competitor at this year&rsquo;s World Athletics Championships.
The 12 nominees, in alphabetical order, are:
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b501c6a23878150e4f9afe.jpeg" alt="Andrea Paola Bonilla" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ecuador/andrea-paola-bonilla-14859648" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ecuador/andrea-paola-bonilla-14859648">Andrea Paola Bonilla</a>&nbsp;🇪🇨 Nominating member federation: ECU <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b5038ec63eb91c6a641cd1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b5038ec63eb91c6a641cd1.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
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<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b501dcc63eb91c6a641cc8.jpg" alt="Lisanne de Witte" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/netherlands/lisanne-de-witte-14361462" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/netherlands/lisanne-de-witte-14361462">Lisanne de Witte</a>&nbsp;🇳🇱 Nominating member federation: NED <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503fec63eb91c6a641ce0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503fec63eb91c6a641ce0.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b501f04e7defbefd494a17.jpg" alt="Lauma Griva" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/latvia/lauma-griva-14289989" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/latvia/lauma-griva-14289989">Lauma Griva</a>&nbsp;🇱🇻 Nominating member federation: LAT <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503d2c63eb91c6a641cda.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503d2c63eb91c6a641cda.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
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<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b5025e4e7defbefd494a1a.jpg" alt="Ramil Guliyev" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/turkey/ramil-guliyev-14178065" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/turkey/ramil-guliyev-14178065">Ramil Guliyev</a>&nbsp;🇹🇷 Nominating member federation: TUR <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50425c63eb91c6a641ce6.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50425c63eb91c6a641ce6.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
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<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b5026d4e7defbefd494a1d.jpg" alt="Matthew Hughes" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/canada/matthew-hughes-14174102" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/canada/matthew-hughes-14174102">Matthew Hughes</a>&nbsp;🇨🇦 Nominating member federation: CAN <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50410c63eb91c6a641ce3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50410c63eb91c6a641ce3.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
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<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b5027e4e7defbefd494a20.jpg" alt="Ivet Lalova-Collio" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/bulgaria/ivet-lalova-collio-14268643" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/bulgaria/ivet-lalova-collio-14268643">Ivet Lalova-Collio</a>&nbsp;🇧🇬 Nominating member federation: BUL <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503bbc63eb91c6a641cd7.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503bbc63eb91c6a641cd7.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b502984e7defbefd494a23.jpeg" alt="Halimah Nakaayi" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/uganda/halimah-nakaayi-14431159" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/uganda/halimah-nakaayi-14431159">Halimah Nakaayi</a>&nbsp;🇺🇬 Nominating member federation: UGA <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50464c63eb91c6a641cec.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50464c63eb91c6a641cec.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b502aa4e7defbefd494a26.jpg" alt="Airine Palsyte" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/lithuania/airine-palsyte-14290340" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/lithuania/airine-palsyte-14290340">Airine Palsyte</a>&nbsp;🇱🇹 Nominating member federation: LTU <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50355c63eb91c6a641ccb.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50355c63eb91c6a641ccb.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b502ba4e7defbefd494a29.jpg" alt="Anna Ryzhykova" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ukraine/anna-ryzhykova-14304336" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/ukraine/anna-ryzhykova-14304336">Anna Ryzhykova</a>&nbsp;🇺🇦 Nominating member federation: UKR <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503a4c63eb91c6a641cd4.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503a4c63eb91c6a641cd4.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b502c74e7defbefd494a2c.jpg" alt="Lea Sprunger" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/switzerland/lea-sprunger-14301240" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/switzerland/lea-sprunger-14301240">Lea Sprunger</a>&nbsp;🇨🇭 Nominating member federation: SUI <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503eac63eb91c6a641cdd.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b503eac63eb91c6a641cdd.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b502db4e7defbefd494a2f.jpeg" alt="Alessia Trost" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/italy/alessia-trost-14361143" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/italy/alessia-trost-14361143">Alessia Trost</a>&nbsp;🇮🇹 Nominating member federation: ITA <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50377c63eb91c6a641cce.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b50377c63eb91c6a641cce.pdf">Candidate info form</a>
&nbsp;
<h4><img style="width: 90px; height: 90px; border-radius: 50%; margin-right: 20px;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b503034e7defbefd494a32.jpg" alt="Toshikazu Yamanishi" align="left" /></h4>
<a href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/japan/toshikazu-yamanishi-14573292" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/athletes/japan/toshikazu-yamanishi-14573292">Toshikazu Yamanishi</a>&nbsp;🇯🇵 Nominating member federation: JPN <a href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b5043fc63eb91c6a641ce9.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/document/62b5043fc63eb91c6a641ce9.pdf">Candidate info form </a>
&nbsp;
Six athletes will be elected in Oregon to fill the spots of the following outgoing Athletes' Commission members:
Inaki Gomez (CAN) Kim Collins (SKN) Adam Kszczot (POL) Thomas Rohler (GER) Ivana Vuleta (nee Spanovic) (SRB) Benita Willis (AUS)
The official campaign period will start on 1 July, allowing candidates to promote their own campaigns.&nbsp;More information about the campaign period and election process are set out in the&nbsp;<a href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=0ab5b2dd-9f3a-49a6-b7d7-4e9c8657e00d.pdf&amp;urlslug=Athletes%27%20Commission%202022%20Elections%20Candidate%20Pack" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://worldathletics.org/download/download?filename=0ab5b2dd-9f3a-49a6-b7d7-4e9c8657e00d.pdf&amp;urlslug=Athletes%27%20Commission%202022%20Elections%20Candidate%20Pack">Athletes' Commission 2022 Elections Candidate Pack</a>.
The importance of athletes to decision-making within World Athletics was recognised and embedded into the World Athletics structures with the governance and integrity reforms approved in December 2016.
Since 2019, the Chairperson and one other member of the Athletes&rsquo; Commission &ndash; one man and one woman &ndash; have been full voting members of the World Athletics Council. The Athletes currently holding these positions on the Council are Renaud Lavillenie (FRA, as Chair) and Dame Valerie Adams (NZL, as Deputy Chair).
&ldquo;It has been an exciting, but also a challenging few years since our last Athletes&rsquo; Commission elections in Doha in 2019. For the first time in history, two Athletes&rsquo; Commission members have held voting seats on the World Athletics Council, giving more weight to the athlete&rsquo;s voice at the leadership level of our sport,&rdquo; says World Athletics Athletes&rsquo; Commission chair Renaud Lavillenie.
&ldquo;The six athletes to be elected from this exciting group of 12 candidates will join a strong and experienced group of Commission members, and I am sure will pay a great contribution to the future of athletics, always with the athlete community&rsquo;s best interests at heart.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I wish all the candidates good luck and would like to encourage all athletes competing at the World Athletics Championships next month to use their voice and vote for those who they think will best represent them on the Athletes&rsquo; Commission.&rdquo;
World Athletics

World Athletics has received 12 nominations for the six available seats on the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission

Candidates announced for 2022 Athletes' Commission elections

Athletissima Lausanne (1977) has today (24) been awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque to mark the Swiss meeting&rsquo;s 45-year history.
The historic accolade was conferred today to coincide with the Wanda Diamond League meeting&rsquo;s press conference, at which the major stars of this year&rsquo;s edition were declared.
The <a href="https://worldathletics.org/heritage/plaque">World Athletics Heritage Plaque</a> is a location-based recognition, awarded for 'an outstanding contribution to the worldwide history and development of the sport of track and field athletics and of out-of-stadia athletics disciplines such as cross country, mountain, road, trail and ultra-running, and race walking'.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Congratulations to Athletissima Lausanne on the award of the World Athletics Heritage Plaque, which marks the meeting&rsquo;s important place in the development of the international invitational track and field circuit,&rdquo; said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
&ldquo;Athletissima has been entertaining crowds of spectators in Lausanne for 45 years. Born as the Lausanne International Meeting in the Coubertin Stadium in 1977, its growing popularity meant a change in venue and name eight years later. The Pontaise Olympic Stadium has been hosting &lsquo;Athletissima&rsquo; ever since.
&ldquo;This Heritage Plaque recognises the energy, time, strength and self-sacrifice of the meeting&rsquo;s organising team who, led by Jacky Delapierre, have helped put athletics firmly centre stage in Lausanne, the Olympic capital.&rdquo;
<h2>Inexorably upwards</h2>
The meeting&rsquo;s history did not get off to an auspicious start, with torrential rain subduing performances at the first competition. Yet that wet beginning, especially the passion and enthusiasm exuded by the soaked spectators who stayed to support the equally wet athletes, confirmed this was no ordinary competition nor audience.
The athletes were so impressed that they made the exceptional decision to return later in the same season to compete again. On 3 August 1977, the athletes and spectators returned in dry conditions and the competition began its history in earnest.
USA&rsquo;s Leroy Burrell gave Athletissima its first world record in a standard Olympic event. On 7 July 1994, Burrell ran the 100m in 9.85, improving Carl Lewis&rsquo; mark by one hundredth of a second. In 2005, Russia&rsquo;s Yelena Isinbayeva flew to 4.93m in the pole vault, raising her own record by 1cm. The next year China&rsquo;s Liu Xiang gave the meeting its third world mark, clearing the barriers to establish a 110m hurdles world record of 12.88, which improved the time he set at the 2004 Olympic Games (12.91).
While the marks by Isinbayeva and Liu still stand as meeting records today, Yohan Blake&rsquo;s 9.69 at the 2012 edition of Athletissima is the fastest 100m ever run in the Diamond League, let alone Lausanne.
In 2020, the Covid pandemic restricted Athletissima to city centre action and the men&rsquo;s pole vault produced, as Simon Turnbull described for the World Athletics website, &ldquo;a competition for the ages, Duplantis and Sam Kendricks duelling inexorably upwards as the sun set over Switzerland&rsquo;s fourth largest municipality. It was the first contest in which two men cleared 6.02m, the Swede prevailing with 6.07m and his US rival clearing 6.02m.&rdquo;
The Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, which was built in 1954 and holds 15,850 people, will be the permanent home of the World Athletics Heritage Plaque honouring Athletissima Lausanne. The plaque will be displayed on a wall next to existing historic markers which commemorate the world records set at the stadium.
World Athletics Heritage

Athletissima has been entertaining crowds of spectators in Lausanne for 45 years

Athletissima Lausanne's illustrious history marked by Heritage Plaque

With joy and panache, Anthony Zambrano and event mascot Calidoso took to the athletics track of the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium, where Zambrano was named ambassador of the event and the medals for the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 were unveiled.
To the rhythm of the official World Championships song 'Hoy voy a bailar contigo' by Mauricio de la Rosa, Cali presented to the world the gold, silver and bronze medals that more than 1500 athletes will fight to win in August.
<img style="font-size: 16px; text-align: left; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4ed2c7f1fac6b26625cd1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="234" />
<img style="text-align: left;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4f29cbb7b0346ccef45eb.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />
In the presence of the mayor of Cali, Jorge Iv&aacute;n Ospina; the president of the local organising committee, Ramiro Varela; the secretary of sports and recreation, Carlos Diago; and Olympic 400m silver medalist Zambrano, the official launch of the medals took place. The international competition will take place in the 'Sultana del Valle' from 1-6 August.
During 11 days of entertainment, more than 1500 athletes from 175 countries will attempt to establish themselves as the best in the world. Cali, the 'Branch of Heaven', is rightfully embodied in the medals with its most iconic places: Cristo Rey, El Gato del R&iacute;o and the Hill of the Three Crosses. In addition, the medals show the silhouette of Zambrano, the best athlete in the history of Colombia.
<img style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4ece37f1fac6b26625cd0.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />
<img style="text-align: justify; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4f19b484046b3514dd04f.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />
&ldquo;For me it is a pride and a pleasure to be here in Cali, the city where Anthony Zambrano was built as an athlete in the 2015 World U18 Championships. Thanks to the mayor and the people who are supporting me because I believe and I know that good athletes will come out for the world, and because I know of the great reserve that Colombia has in the future,&rdquo; said Zambrano.
For his part, Valera stated that the World Athletics U20 Championships Cali 22 "is the largest cultural, multilingual and sports platform that has ever been seen in Colombia, with 158 registered countries as of today."
This unprecedented event also solidifies Cali as a bonafide cultural and sports district. "Being a sports city commits us to continue consolidating the sports industry and to continue developing events of this magnitude. That makes our city gain space, locally, nationally and internationally, in these types of events of great prominence," said Ospina.
<img src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b5f8f97c7cc3633ad931be.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />
The organising committee and Cali continue to work hard so that our city is the epicenter of an event of international stature typical of the identity, civility and culture of the 'Sultana del Valle'.
Communications - Local Organising Committee

World Athletics U20 Championships

To the rhythm of the official World Championship song 'Hoy voy a bailar contigo' by Mauricio de la Rosa, Cali presented to the world the gold, silver and bronze medals that more than 1,500 athletes will fight to win. We are ready!

Zambrano revealed as official ambassador for World U20 Championships Cali 22

The second Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) exhibition&nbsp;to be launched in Oregon this year was opened on Thursday (23) by world gold medallists Abdi Bile and Bernard Lagat.
To mark the occasion, the respective 1987 and 2007 world 1500m champions made generous donations of World Championships-winning singlets to MOWA.
The opening ceremony of the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22, hosted&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Erb Memorial Union at the University of Oregon, was held on the first day of the USATF Championships at Hayward Field, the venue for the&nbsp;World Athletics Championships Oregon22 (15-24 July). It follows&nbsp;<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/mowa-heritage-exhibition-oregon22-portland" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/mowa-heritage-exhibition-oregon22-portland">this year&rsquo;s first Heritage display launched in Portland in April</a>.
The two world champions were joined for the MOWA opening in Oregon by Eugene City Council vice chair Matt Keating, University of Oregon president Michael Schill, USATF president Vin Lananna, WCH Oregon22 athlete experience director Sasha Spencer Atwood and senior director of sports at Travel Lane County, JB Carney.&nbsp;
Together, the seven guests declared the MOWA exhibit open by cutting the official ribbon and unveiling the showcases. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b63d3a0e40911cca430bc9.jpg" alt="The MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene" />
The MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene (&copy; World Athletics Championships Oregon22)
</div>
<h2>Bile&rsquo;s brilliant finish</h2>
Bile, who won the world 1500m title in Rome in 1987 for Somalia, has lived in the USA ever since attending George Mason University, where he graduated in marketing. Bile, whose eldest son Ahmed was also a talented runner (3:37 for 1500m and a sub-4:00 miler), is now a USA citizen.&nbsp;
Bile set a championship record of 3:35.67 in his Rome semifinal, winning the final in 3:36.80. Two years later, he also won the World Cup title in Barcelona in 1989, beating World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in the process.
In a career troubled by injury, Bile never quite fulfilled his true talent (PBs 800m: 1:43.60; 1500m: 3:30.55; mile: 3:49.40). With injury keeping him out of the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, as well as the 1991 World Championships, he returned to the global stage in Stuttgart in 1993 to take world bronze at 1500m.
Clutching his gold medal, Bile recalled his brilliant finish in Rome,&nbsp;in which he ran the final 1000m in 2:16.6 and the last 800m in 1:46.6 to claim an emphatic victory. &ldquo;I expected the race to be fast,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I was confident of winning after running such a quick semifinal.&rdquo;
<h2>Rome donation</h2>
Bile brought to Eugene a very special gift for MOWA, generously donating his Rome 1987 World Championships-winning singlet to the World Athletics Heritage Collection, which is displayed in the museum. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b63da6be28a83aaebd4a92.jpg" alt="Abdi Bile with his vest at the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene" />
Abdi Bile with his vest at the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene (&copy; World Athletics Championships Oregon22)
</div>
&ldquo;I was so impressed when MOWA&rsquo;s 3D online platform was launched in March 2021 that I immediately promised to donate my Rome singlet to the collection,&rdquo; confirmed Bile. &ldquo;I am delighted to fulfil that pledge today and help mark the opening of this special exhibit in Eugene.&rdquo;
During his running career, Bile was an ASICS athlete, and to mark the forthcoming World Athletics Championships, <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/asics-display-mowa-wch-oregon22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASICS has launched a temporary display in the Reception Hall of MOWA&rsquo;s virtual online platform</a>.
<h2>Lagat - no fewer than 13 global medals</h2>
In Osaka in 2007, Lagat became the first and so far only man to win the 1500m and 5000m double at the World Athletics Championships. One of the most successful ever middle- and long-distance runners, Lagat has no less than 13 medals at a global level to his name.
His other accolades include back-to-back 3000m victories at the 2010 and 2012 World Athletics Indoor Championships, along with a win at the same event in 2004 when he represented the country of his birth, Kenya.&nbsp;
During Thursday&rsquo;s ceremony, <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/bernard-lagat-doha-3000m-mowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lagat generously donated to MOWA the USA singlet and competition numbers from his triumph at the 2010 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Doha</a>.&nbsp; 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b63d6c0e40911cca430bcc.jpg" alt="Bernard Lagat with his vest at the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene" />
Bernard Lagat with his vest at the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 in Eugene (&copy; World Athletics Championships Oregon22)
</div>
&ldquo;It is a great pleasure to donate my singlet to MOWA,&rdquo; said Lagat, &ldquo;knowing that it will be treasured in a collection that includes artefacts from middle-distance greats like Paavo Nurmi, Jim Beatty, Herb Elliott, Kip Keino, Eamonn Coghlan, Seb Coe and Hicham El Guerrouj.
&ldquo;I am very proud that my singlet is part of the exhibit in Eugene and will soon be displayed in MOWA&rsquo;s online 3D virtual displays.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The singlets from Lagat and Bile will be on public show for the next month in Eugene. The MOWA exhibit closes at the end of 24 July, the last day of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.
<h2>60 athletes, 25 countries, six areas</h2>
The two MOWA exhibits in Portland and Eugene feature track and field artefacts from 1908 through to the present day. These artefacts are just a small fraction of the World Athletics Heritage Collection, which is on <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/mowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/mowa">permanent display via MOWA&rsquo;s online platform in glorious 360&deg; 3D</a>.
Singlets, running shoes, equipment and trophies from more than 60 all-time greats of track and field athletics, representing more than 25 countries across all six continental areas, are being exhibited in Oregon.
The world and Olympic champions and world record-breakers represented by artefacts include Paavo Nurmi, Jesse Owens, Fanny Blankers-Koen, Emil Zatopek, Adhemar da Silva, Herb Elliott, Irena Szewinska, Carl Lewis, Grete Waitz, Michael Johnson, Marie-Jose Perec, Gail Devers, Haile Gebrselassie, Cathy Freeman, Maria Mutola, Jan Zelezny, Robert Korzeniowski, Carolina Kluft, Allyson Felix, Usain Bolt, Valerie Adams, Ashton Eaton, Christian Taylor, Anita Wlodarczyk, Mutaz Barshim and Eliud Kipchoge.
<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/mowa-collectors-cards-improved-navigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here</a> to read how you can collect a free, limited-edition series of MOWA Collector&rsquo;s Cards, featuring many of those legends.
<h2>Heritage clothing collection launches</h2>
A Heritage clothing collection featuring iconic logos from the Helsinki 1983, Rome 1987 and Tokyo 1991 World Championships has been launched today in the&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.worldathletics.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://shop.worldathletics.org/">World Athletics online store</a>.
This latest merchandise offering follows the release of World Athletics Championships Belgrade 22 items earlier this year and includes t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies.
<a href="https://shop.worldathletics.org/collections/heritage" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://shop.worldathletics.org/collections/heritage">Click here</a>&nbsp;to discover the range. 
<div><a href="https://shop.worldathletics.org/collections/heritage" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4a96e9d06686151bab999.jpg" alt="Heritage collection" /></a>
Heritage collection
</div>
Chris Turner for World Athletics Heritage

World Athletics Championships, Oregon 2022

The MOWA Track & Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22 has launched at the University of Oregon

Donations from world champions Bile and Lagat mark opening of MOWA exhibit in Eugene

New features have been launched today (23) inside the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).
Most strikingly, World Athletics Official Partner ASICS has opened a display in the central area of MOWA&rsquo;s Reception Hall to mark the forthcoming World Athletics Championships Oregon22 (15-24 July).
<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/asics-display-mowa-wch-oregon22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News:&nbsp;ASICS display features in MOWA Reception Hall ahead of WCH Oregon22</a>
<h2>Collector&rsquo;s Cards</h2>
The first limited-edition series of MOWA Collector&rsquo;s Cards has been launched on the MOWA platform today.
The 40 individually designed and numbered cards each depict an artefact that has either been donated or loaned to the museum&rsquo;s collection.
Athletes whose artefacts are featured in the series include legends such as Jesse Owens, Fanny Blankers-Koen and Emil Zatopek, and modern greats like Valerie Adams, Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix.
The cards, which are a give-away item, can be ordered free of charge by <a href="https://worldathletics.org/heritage/mowa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anyone with a login to MOWA</a>&nbsp;or can be collected in person from the MOWA exhibition stands in Eugene or Portland during the World Athletics Championships Oregon22.
<h2>Improved museum navigation</h2>
Visitors who enter the online virtual space of MOWA can now explore the museum&rsquo;s 3D platform through a new freeform movement system.
The new navigation lets visitors move through the environment by clicking on the floor and loads quicker than the previous navigation, giving an increased sense of momentum.&nbsp;
This will allow visitors to explore MOWA in a way that feels more natural and more relevant to where they want to go, while also helping users on slower connections.
Chris Turner for World Athletics Heritage
<h2> MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition, Oregon22</h2>
EUGENE Erb Memorial Union, University of Oregon, 1395 University St, Eugene, OR 97403. Open: 7 days a week - 7am to 10pm (staffed 11am to 5pm).
PORTLAND Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204. Open: 7 days a week - 10am to 7pm (staffed 10am to 5pm).

New features have been launched

New to MOWA - Collector's Cards and improved navigation

When Bernard Lagat lined up in the Aspire Dome in Doha for the 2010 World Athletics Indoor Championships 3000m final, he was a 35-year-old veteran with a decade of global championships behind him.
The Peter Pan of the middle distances had been 25 when he made his debut on the international stage for his native Kenya at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Back then, at the dawning of the new millennium, he took the bronze medal in a thrilling 1500m tussle behind compatriot Noah Ngeny and Morocco&rsquo;s reigning 1500m world champion and world record-holder Hicham El Guerrouj.
Dramatic denouements became a familiar feature of life in the fast lane for Lagat as he proceeded to rack up a further eight global medals in the &lsquo;noughties,&rsquo; four more as a Kenyan and four as a star earning his stripes in the United States team.
In the Qatari capital on 14 March 2010, he was proudly sporting &ldquo;USA&rdquo; on the chest of the uniform of his adopted homeland &ndash; a singlet and competition numbers he has <a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/heritage/news/bile-lagat-mowa-exhibit-eugene" target="_blank" rel="noopener">generously donated to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) at today&rsquo;s opening ceremony of the MOWA Track &amp; Field Heritage Exhibition Oregon22</a>, which is being hosted at the Erb Memorial Union, University of Oregon in Eugene. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b49f5dcb3c36f4a2fbce43.jpg" alt="Bernard Lagat with his singlet from the 2010 World Indoor Championships" />
Bernard Lagat with his singlet from the 2010 World Indoor Championships
</div>
<h2>An age of experience</h2>
Winner of the title in his Kenyan days in Budapest in 2004, Lagat brought all of his experience, nous and pace judgement to Doha, sitting back when 2010 world leader Augustine Choge of Kenya cut out the early pace and then defending champion Tariku Bekele (brother of Kenenisa) hit the front with 1000m to go.
Lagat kicked at the bell, covering the final lap in 28.39 and finishing a clear winner in 7:37.97 &ndash; 1.58 ahead of runner-up Sergio Sanchez of Spain, with the Ethiopian Bekele down in fourth and Choge trailing home 11th.
In the process, Lagat became the first man to win world indoor titles representing two countries and, at 35 years 92 days, the oldest men's gold medallist in the history of the championships.
<h2>Champion again at 37</h2>
Not that the supremely consistent, supremely gifted graduate of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Washington State University was finished with the school of international track and field.
After making it 10 global medals in 10 years in Doha, he went on to claim three more.
At the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Lagat had to veer into lane three to maintain his attempt to charge down Mo Farah. He finished 0.28 adrift in the silver medal position, matching the Briton&rsquo;s closing lap of 52.6.
At the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Lagat was too quick for Farah and the rest of the field, following in Haile Gebrselassie&rsquo;s hallowed footsteps as a three-time winner of the 3000m title. He finished three meters clear of Choge, with Farah back in fourth, becoming the oldest men's world indoor champion at the age of 37.
Lagat was 39 when he captured what was to be his final global medal: 3000m silver behind Kenya&rsquo;s Caleb Ndiku in Sopot in 2014. He was the oldest ever men's world indoor medallist, and indeed finalist.
There were near misses, too, in this prolonged twilight period of Lagat&rsquo;s lengthy, distinguished track career: fourth in the 5000m at the 2012 Olympics in London; sixth in the World Championships 5000m in Moscow in 2013; fifth in the 5000m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Lagat was 41 when he contested his fifth Olympic campaign in Brazil, ending his track career a month later with a second-placed finish over 3000m at the ISTAF meeting in Berlin.
&ldquo;I have no regrets,&rdquo; he said, with absolute justification.
Six years on, one glance at the world all-time lists attests to that.
There, ranked second in history at 1500m, lies the 3:26.34 Lagat clocked in Brussels in 2001. Only El Guerrouj stands above, courtesy of his 3:26.00 world record in Rome in 1998.
<h2>First US global gold since 1908</h2>
Then, among Lagat&rsquo;s haul of 13 global medals, alongside his three world indoor 3000m gold medals, there are a priceless pair of golds from the 2007 World Championships in steamy Osaka.
Eleven years after moving to the United States to study business management at Washington State, Lagat represented the US for the first time in Japan&rsquo;s &lsquo;Third City,&rsquo; having served a three-year eligibility period following his last competition for Kenya at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
He proceeded to run his way into the record books in the oppressive heat and humidity of the Nagai Stadium.
In the 1500m final, Lagat struck with perfect timing, sweeping past Kenyans Asbel Kiprop and Shedrack Korir 60m from the line and winning by 0.23 from fast-finishing defending champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. It was the first victory by a US athlete in a global men&rsquo;s 1500m final since Mel Sheppard won Olympic gold in London in 1908.
Sheppard, who had been rejected by the New York City Police department because he had a weak heart, went on to complete the 800m-1500m double - the third man in history to do so, after Australian Teddy Flack in Athens in 1896 and Jim Lightbody of the US in St Louis in 1904.
<h2>&ldquo;I ran a smart race&rdquo;</h2>
Lagat became the first man to achieve the 1500m-5000m double at the World Championships &ndash; emulating a feat accomplished in the Olympic Games of 1924 and 2004 by the great Finn Paavo Nurmi and by his own great rival El Guerrouj. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/62b4a3c09907c3d6eb1aa421.jpg" alt="Bernard Lagat on his way to the world 5000m title in 2007" />
Bernard Lagat on his way to the world 5000m title in 2007 (&copy; Getty Images)
</div>
In the 5000m final in Osaka, the newly-crowned 1500m champion could afford to engage in cruise control while his rivals were unable to challenge his finishing kick in sapping heat and humidity.
Farah led at the bell and Lagat was still in fifth when Kenya&rsquo;s 2003 champion Eliud Kipchoge (whatever happened to him?) made his move with 200m to go. Lagat bided his time, finally striking 60m out and holding off Kipchoge by a metre.
&ldquo;That was good for me,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Everybody waited for the last lap. I think I ran a smart race. I waited until the last 100m.&rdquo;
He was timed at 52.3 for the final circuit.
Reflecting on his track career in an <a href="https://spikes.worldathletics.org/post/bernard-lagats-career-highlights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview with Spikes in September 2016</a>, Lagat said: &ldquo;The two gold medals in 2007 was the best performance ever for me. I was able to represent the United States for the first time and I didn&rsquo;t come home with just one medal but two. Two gold medals.&rdquo;
In the outdoor world championship arena, he also earned three silver medals (behind El Guerrouj at 1500m in Edmonton in 2001, at 5000m behind Kenenisa Bekele in Berlin in 2009, and at the same distance behind Farah in Daegu in 2011) &ndash; plus a 1500m bronze in the wake of Yusuf Saad Kamel of Bahrain (son of Kenya&rsquo;s two-time 800m champion Billy Konchellah), and Ethiopian Deresse Mekonnen.
At the World Indoor Championships, in addition to his hattrick of 3000m titles, Lagat also claimed a 1500m silver behind Driss Maazouzi in Birmingham in 2003.
At the Olympic Games, gold remained tantalisingly out of reach. Bronze in that three-way tussle in Sydney in 2000 was followed by silver in a gripping head-to-head with El Guerrouj in Athens four years later.
Lagat stuck to El Guerrouj&rsquo;s heels when his long-time nemesis started to wind up the pace with 800m to go. A week before the Games, he had beaten El Guerrouj in Zurich but, after falling in Atlanta in 1996 and being thwarted by Ngeny in Sydney, the Moroccan was on a personal redemptive mission.
The pair covered the final 200m in 26.2, Lagat moving ahead by a stride 50m from the line &ndash; only for El Guerrouj to sweep past, collapsing in tears after crossing the line. The Moroccan master of the middle distances finally had Olympic gold, winning in 3:34.18. Lagat took silver in 3:34.30.
<h2>&ldquo;Danke!&rdquo;</h2>
After Olympic campaign No.5 in Rio twelve years later, it was perhaps fitting that Lagat chose to run his final track race in Germany. The country had become a third home to him, after Kenya and the United States, having made Tubingen his European summer base.
On the bright blue track at Berlin&rsquo;s Olympiastadion, the 41-year-old finished runner-up to Choge over 3000m in 7:43.63. He crossed the line with a huge smile wreathed across his face, mouthing &ldquo;Danke!&rdquo; to the crowd.
Not that it was the absolute finish line for Lagat as an athlete.
Switching to the roads, he finished 18th in the 2018 New York City Marathon, clocking 2:17:20.
In February 2020, two months past his 45th birthday, he ran in the US Olympic Marathon Trial race in Atlanta, placing 18th in 2:14:23.
The key to his exceptional longevity, Lagat maintained, was the stability provided by his coach James Li (his mentor since he arrived in the US in 1996) and his wife Gladys Tom, a conditioning trainer and dietician, whom he met at Washington State.
The couple have a son, Miika, and a daughter, Gianna. They have homes in Tuscon, Arizona and in Tubingen in south-west Germany.
They also have a glittering collection of global medals, and a vast array of golden memories upon which they can happily reflect.
Simon Turnbull for World Athletics Heritage

The multiple world gold medallist has donated his 2010 World Indoor Championships singlet and competition numbers to MOWA

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